The 886 country code belongs to Taiwan. Whether you're calling Taipei, Kaohsiung, or anywhere else in Taiwan, the +886 prefix connects you to the island's 23 million residents.

Quick Answer: The country code +886 is for Taiwan. Mobile numbers have 9 digits after +886 (starting with 9). Landlines vary by city. A Taipei landline looks like +886 2 2345 6789 and a mobile like +886 912 345 678.

How to Call Taiwan: Quick Reference

The dialing format for Taiwan depends on where you're calling from. Drop the leading 0 that Taiwanese numbers use domestically.

Calling From Dialing Format
US/Canada Mobile +886 [number without leading 0]
US/Canada Landline 011-886-[number without leading 0]
United Kingdom (UK) 00-886-[number without leading 0]
Australia 0011-886-[number without leading 0]
Japan 010-886-[number without leading 0]
Hong Kong 001-886-[number without leading 0]

Taiwan has a large diaspora, particularly in the United States. Over 500,000 Taiwanese Americans live in the US, with communities concentrated in California, New York, and Texas. Japan and Canada also have sizable Taiwanese populations.

Understanding Taiwanese Phone Numbers

Taiwanese phone numbers use a trunk prefix system. Domestically, all numbers start with 0. When calling internationally with +886, you drop that leading 0.

Mobile Numbers

Taiwanese mobile numbers start with 09 domestically (9 after +886):

  • Domestic format: 09XX-XXX-XXX (10 digits starting with 0).
  • International format: +886 followed by 9 digits (drop the 0).
  • Starting Digit: Always starts with 9 after +886.
  • Example: Domestic 0912-345-678 becomes +886 912 345 678 internationally.

Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)

Taiwanese landlines use area codes, and the total length after +886 varies:

  • Taipei/New Taipei: Area code 2 + 8-digit local number = 10 digits after +886. Domestic: 02-XXXX-XXXX.
  • Other cities: Single-digit area code (3-8) + 7-digit local number = 8 or 9 digits after +886. Domestic: 0X-XXX-XXXX.
  • Trunk Prefix: Always drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally.

Taiwan Area Codes Reference Table

Taiwan uses single-digit area codes for most cities. Here are the area codes for major Taiwanese cities:

City Area Code International Format
Taipei / New Taipei 2 +886 2 XXXX XXXX
Kaohsiung 7 +886 7 XXX XXXX
Taichung 4 +886 4 XXXX XXXX
Tainan 6 +886 6 XXX XXXX
Hsinchu 3 +886 3 XXX XXXX
Taoyuan 3 +886 3 XXX XXXX
Keelung 2 +886 2 XXXX XXXX
Chiayi 5 +886 5 XXX XXXX
Pingtung 8 +886 8 XXX XXXX
Hualien 3 +886 3 XXX XXXX

Note: Taipei and Keelung share area code 2. Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and Hualien share area code 3. Taipei landlines have 8 local digits while most other cities have 7 local digits.

Taiwan vs. China: Separate Phone Systems

Taiwan and mainland China have completely separate telephone systems with different country codes:

Territory Country Code Number Format
Taiwan +886 9 digits (mobile) or 8-10 digits (landline)
Mainland China +86 11 digits (mobile) or area code + number (landline)
Hong Kong +852 8 digits, no area codes

You cannot reach a Taiwanese number by dialing +86. The +886 and +86 codes connect to entirely different networks.

Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference

You can tell whether a +886 number is mobile or landline by the first digit after the country code:

  • Starts with 9: A mobile number (9 digits after +886).
  • Starts with 2: A Taipei/Keelung landline (10 digits after +886).
  • Starts with 3-8: A regional landline (8-9 digits after +886).

This matters because calling rates to mobile and landline numbers often differ.

Dialing Examples

Here are practical examples for calling different types of Taiwanese numbers from various locations:

Example 1: Calling a Taipei Landline from the US

  • Taiwanese Number (domestic): 02-2345-6789
  • From a US Mobile: +886 2 2345 6789
  • From a US Landline: 011 886 2 2345 6789

Example 2: Calling a Taiwanese Mobile from the US

  • Taiwanese Number (domestic): 0912-345-678
  • From a US Mobile: +886 912 345 678
  • From a US Landline: 011 886 912 345 678

Example 3: Calling a Kaohsiung Landline from the UK

  • Taiwanese Number (domestic): 07-234-5678
  • From the UK: 00 886 7 234 5678

Example 4: Calling from Japan

  • Taiwanese Number (domestic): Any mobile (e.g., 0987-654-321)
  • From Japan: 010 886 987 654 321

Best Times to Call Taiwan

Taiwan operates on Taiwan Standard Time (CST), which is UTC+8 year-round. Taiwan does not observe daylight saving time.

Here's how Taiwan's time relates to other major time zones:

Your Location Time Difference Call Taiwan 9 AM - 6 PM
US East Coast (EST) Taiwan is 13 hours ahead 8 PM - 5 AM EST (night before)
US East Coast (EDT) Taiwan is 12 hours ahead 9 PM - 6 AM EDT (night before)
US West Coast (PST) Taiwan is 16 hours ahead 5 PM - 2 AM PST (night before)
UK (GMT) Taiwan is 8 hours ahead 1 AM - 10 AM GMT
Japan (JST) Taiwan is 1 hour behind 10 AM - 7 PM JST

Tip: Taiwan is on the same UTC+8 offset as Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China. If you already know the time difference to any of those, it's the same for Taiwan. Japan is just 1 hour ahead of Taiwan.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A simple error can prevent your call from connecting. Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the 886 country code:

  • Keeping the leading 0: Taiwanese numbers start with 0 domestically, but you must drop it when dialing +886. Dial +886 2 (not +886 02) for Taipei.
  • Using +86 instead of +886: +86 is mainland China, +886 is Taiwan. They are completely different systems.
  • Wrong digit count: Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +886. Taipei landlines are 10 digits after +886 (area code 2 + 8 local digits). Other landlines are 8-9 digits.
  • Confusing area codes: Several cities share area codes (e.g., Hsinchu, Taoyuan, and Hualien all use 3). Check you have the right local number, not just the area code.

Cheapest Ways to Call +886 Numbers

International calls to Taiwan don't have to be expensive. While traditional carriers can charge $1-$4 per minute, better options exist:

  • VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Taiwan. Check our international calling rates.
  • Messaging Apps: LINE is the dominant messaging app in Taiwan, used by over 21 million people (nearly the entire population). Most Taiwanese use LINE for free voice and video calls.
  • International Calling Plans: Some carriers include Taiwan in their international bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.

If you're calling someone in Taiwan, they almost certainly use LINE. It's the default communication app across all age groups there.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What country has the +886 country code?

The +886 country code is for Taiwan. Any call from a number starting with +886 originates from Taiwan.

How many digits is a Taiwanese phone number?

Taiwanese mobile numbers have 9 digits after +886 (starting with 9). Landlines vary: Taipei uses area code 2 + 8 local digits, while other cities use single-digit area codes + 7 local digits.

What is the area code for Taipei?

The area code for Taipei is 2. For international calls, dial +886 2 followed by the 8-digit local number.

What is the area code for Kaohsiung?

The area code for Kaohsiung is 7. Internationally, dial +886 7 followed by the 7-digit local number.

How do I call Taiwan from the USA?

From a mobile phone, dial +886 followed by the Taiwanese number without the leading 0. From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 886, then the number without the leading 0.

What time should I call Taiwan from the US?

Taiwan is on UTC+8 year-round, 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (EST). To reach Taiwanese business hours (9 AM-6 PM), call between 8 PM and 5 AM EST.

Is +886 Taiwan or China?

+886 is the country code for Taiwan. Mainland China uses +86. They are separate phone systems.

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