How to call China from the UK
- From mobile
- +86 xx xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- 00 86 xx xxxx xxxx
From $1.06/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial China from the UK
How to make a call to China from the UK: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. A Chinese number is not always a 10-digit number: it runs 7 to 12 digits, and an area code drops its 0 after 86.
- 00The UK exit code
- 86Country code of China
- xx xxxx xxxxThe number, area code first
- From a mobile: +86 xx xxxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +86 10 1234 5678
- Mobile
- +86 10 1234 5678
- Landline
- 00 86 10 1234 5678
Main area codes in China
The area code comes right after 86, then the local number
- Shanghai00 8621then the local number
- Chongqing00 8623then the local number
- Chengdu/Ziyang/Meishan00 8628then the local number
- Beijing00 8610then the local number
- Guangzhou00 8620then the local number
- Tianjin00 8622then the local number
- Wuhan00 8627then the local number
- XiAn/Xianyang00 8629then the local number
Before you call China
Dial the big Chinese cities
Each city code follows 86 straight away. Type it in the dialer above.
- Shanghai00 86 21
- Beijing00 86 10
- Guangzhou00 86 20
Drop the 0 of the area code
Chinese area codes start with 0 at home. After 86, leave it out.
- Fails
- 00 86 021 xxxx xxxx
- Works
- 00 86 21 xxxx xxxx
Dial from a mobile with plus
Calling China cell phones works the same way: the phone adds the UK exit code for you.
- Press and hold 0 for +
- Dial 86 and the area code
- Dial the local number
Calling China from the UK without an international plan
Suparelay calls China for $1.06/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in the UK charge up to $6.13/min. O2 includes calls to China on its Big Bundle, while EE and Vodafone sell them as an add-on.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 5× cheaper | $1.06 |
 | $6.13$0.04 with plan |
 | $5.42 |
 | $3.96 |
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. The time difference moves by an hour in March and October, when UK clocks change.
- Time difference
- March to October: 7 hours ahead of London
- October to March: 8 hours ahead of London
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
- Time zones
- 2
Why a call to China fails
O2 blocks international calls on a £0 Spend Cap
A £0 Spend Cap on O2 bars chargeable use outside the monthly and Bolt On allowances. International calls are in that group, so the call fails.
O2, What are spend caps?From any country, a call to China also fails when
- The exit code is wrong for your country
- The number does not take calls from abroad
Questions
How do I call China from the UK cell phone or mobile?
Dial +86, then the number. It works from any mobile in the UK
Are calls to China included in the UK phone plans?
On some plans. O2 includes calls to China in its plans. EE and Vodafone charge less with an add-on or another plan. Without one of these plans, you pay the carrier's rate per minute
How much does it cost to call China from the UK?
With no plan, carriers in the UK charge up to $6.13 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Shanghai from the UK?
For Shanghai, dial 00 86 21, then the local number
Do I need to dial 00 to call China?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 86. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +86 number?
Press and hold 0 until + appears, then dial 86 and the number
Can I call China on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 86 and the number. Your plan must allow calls to China
Why isn't my call going through to China?
The usual causes: the exit code is wrong for your country and the number does not take calls from abroad. Each one is listed above, with a link to its fix
How to call China from the UK free, with 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 to call China from the UK on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in China without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call China landline from the UK?
From a landline in the UK, dial 00 86, then the number
When is the best time to call China?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in China. March to October: 7 hours ahead of London. October to March: 8 hours ahead of London
How to make an international call to China?
Dial 00 86, then the number. From a mobile, +86 works too