How to call China
- From mobile
- +86 xx xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- exit code + 86 xx xxxx xxxx
From $1.06/min in your browser, from any country
How to call China from another country
The exit code depends on the country you call from. Find yours, then dial the rest
How to dial China from abroad
How to make a call to China from another country: dial your exit code, the country code, and the number. A Chinese number has 7 to 12 digits, and 10 digits is one valid length, so do not reject a number for its length.
- 00Exit code
- 86Country code of China
- 21Shanghai
- xxxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile, type + instead of 00
- From the US or Canada, type 011 instead of 00
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Before you call China
Drop the 0 of the area code
Saved contacts often show 021. Remove the 0 after +86.
- Fails
- +86 021 xxxx xxxx
- Works
- +86 21 xxxx xxxx
How to call China phone by city
Add the area code of the city after +86.
- Beijing+86 10
- Guangzhou+86 20
- Chengdu+86 28
How to call to China from abroad
Calling China from another country takes the same three steps on any phone.
- Type +86
- Add the area code
- Add the local number
How China phone numbers work
- Landlines
- Starts with 10 for Beijing, or a longer area code for other cities, then the local number
- Mobiles
- Starts with 1
- Toll-free numbers
- Starts with 800. Reachable mainly from a China Telecom mobile or a landline inside China
Want to call China?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call China
The time now in China, and the best hours to call. Most of China keeps the time of Shanghai, so the time difference is the same across almost the whole country.
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
- Time zones
- 2
Holidays in China
Offices close on these days by law
- Oct2National DayFriday
- Oct3National DaySaturday
- Oct5National Day (observed)Monday
- Oct6Day off (substituted from 09/20/2026)Tuesday
- Oct7Day off (substituted from 10/10/2026)Wednesday
- Jan1New Year's DayFriday
Why a call to China fails
The exit code is wrong for your country
China's own exit code is 00. From the US and Canada, dial 011 first, then 86. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan use +852, +853, and +886 instead of +86.
The number does not take calls from abroad
China's 800 numbers are toll-free only from a landline or a China Telecom mobile. A number that starts with 800 usually will not connect from outside the country.
Questions
How do I call China from another country?
Dial your exit code, then 86 and the number
Which exit code do I dial before 86?
From a landline, dial your exit code first: 00 in most countries, 011 in the US and Canada. From a mobile, + replaces it
How to call a China mobile number?
From a mobile in any country, dial +86, then the number
Why does my call to China not go through?
The usual causes: the exit code is wrong for your country and the number does not take calls from abroad. Each one is explained above, with its fix
What time is it in China now?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in China. Most of China keeps the time of Shanghai. China has no daylight saving time
How much does it cost to call China?
It depends on where you call from. Many plans in the US and Canada include China. From a browser, Suparelay charges each started minute, at the price shown before you call
Can I call China for free?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How do I type +86 on a phone?
Hold the 0 key until + shows, then type 86 and the number. It works the same in every country
Can I make a WhatsApp call to China?
Free apps such as WhatsApp ring only people who have them. A landline in China needs a phone network: a plan, a calling service, or Suparelay from your browser
Is there a free VoIP call to China?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How do I make an international call to China?
Dial your exit code, then 86 and the number
How do I make an online call to China?
It depends on where you call from. Many plans in the US and Canada include China. From a browser, Suparelay charges each started minute, at the price shown before you call
What is the best way to call China?
It depends on where you call from. Many plans in the US and Canada include China. From a browser, Suparelay charges each started minute, at the price shown before you call
How do I make an internet call to China?
Free apps such as WhatsApp ring only people who have them. A landline in China needs a phone network: a plan, a calling service, or Suparelay from your browser
How to call China number online?
It depends on where you call from. Many plans in the US and Canada include China. From a browser, Suparelay charges each started minute, at the price shown before you call