Quick answer: +886 is Taiwan. Mobile numbers have 9 digits after +886 and start with 9. Landlines have 8 or 9 digits, depending on the area. If the number you were given starts with 0, drop the 0. Example:
+886 912 345 678.
How to dial Taiwan
| Calling from | Dial |
|---|---|
| Any mobile phone | +886 + number without the 0 |
| US or Canada landline | 011 886 + number without the 0 |
| Japan landline | 010 886 + number without the 0 |
| UK landline | 00 886 + number without the 0 |
| Australia landline | 0011 886 + number without the 0 |
Taiwanese numbers are written with a leading 0, like 0912-345-678 or 02-2345-6789. That 0 is only for calls inside Taiwan. From abroad, leave it out: 02-2345-6789 becomes +886 2 2345 6789.
Mobile and landline numbers
Mobiles are 10 digits in Taiwan, starting with 09 and usually written 0912-345-678. After +886 that is 9 digits starting with 9. They have no area code.
Landlines are an area code plus a local number. Taipei (with New Taipei and Keelung) and Taichung have 8-digit local numbers, so 9 digits after +886. Most other areas have shorter local numbers and 8 digits after +886.
| City | Area code in Taiwan | From abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung | 02 | +886 2 xxxx xxxx |
| Taichung | 04 | +886 4 xxxx xxxx |
| Kaohsiung | 07 | +886 7 xxx xxxx |
| Tainan | 06 | +886 6 xxx xxxx |
| Taoyuan | 03 | +886 3 xxx xxxx |
| Hsinchu | 03 | +886 3 xxx xxxx |
| Chiayi | 05 | +886 5 xxx xxxx |
| Pingtung | 08 | +886 8 xxx xxxx |
| Hualien | 03 | +886 3 xxx xxxx |
| Taitung | 089 | +886 89 xxx xxx |
One area code can cover several places. Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Yilan and Hualien all use 03, so the code alone won't tell you the city.
Codes that get mixed up with +886
+86 is mainland China, +852 is Hong Kong and +853 is Macau.
Time difference
Taiwan is on UTC+8 all year, with no daylight saving time. The gap changes when your own clocks change.
| Where you are | Your clocks on summer time | Your clocks on standard time |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast | Taiwan is 12h ahead | Taiwan is 13h ahead |
| US West Coast | Taiwan is 15h ahead | Taiwan is 16h ahead |
| UK | Taiwan is 7h ahead | Taiwan is 8h ahead |
| Japan | Taiwan is 1h behind all year | |
| Sydney | Taiwan is 3h behind | Taiwan is 2h behind |
A 7 PM call from Los Angeles reaches Taiwan at 10 AM the next day in the US summer and 11 AM in the US winter.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
FAQ
Can I call a Taiwanese 0800 toll-free number from abroad?
Usually not. Taiwan's 0800 numbers are free for callers inside Taiwan, and many don't accept calls from other countries. Look for the company's regular number, which starts with an area code such as 02.
Why won't my call to +886 go through?
Check three things: you left out the leading 0, a mobile number has 9 digits after +886, and you dialed 886, not 86.