How to call China from the US
- From mobile
- +86 xx xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- 011 86 xx xxxx xxxx
From $1.06/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial China from the US
How to make a call to China from the US: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. A Chinese area code loses its leading 0 after 86, so Shanghai is 21, not 021.
- 011The US exit code
- 86Country code of China
- 21Shanghai
- xxxx xxxxLocal number
- 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
- 011 86 10 1234 5678
Main area codes in China
The area code comes right after 86, then the local number
- Shanghai011 8621then the local number
- Chongqing011 8623then the local number
- Chengdu/Ziyang/Meishan011 8628then the local number
- Beijing011 8610then the local number
- Guangzhou011 8620then the local number
- Tianjin011 8622then the local number
- Wuhan011 8627then the local number
- XiAn/Xianyang011 8629then the local number
Before you call China
Dial your city after 86
Pick your city and dial its code right after 86.
- Beijing011 86 10
- Shanghai011 86 21
- Guangzhou011 86 20
Smaller cities use 3 digits
Most big cities have a 2 digit code, and Weifang and Wuzhong have 3. Numbers run 7 to 12 digits, so a 10-digit number is valid.
- Weifang011 86 536
- Wuzhong011 86 953
Calling China cell phones
How to call to China from a mobile: type +86 and the number. Calling China from the USA this way skips the 011.
Calling China from the US without an international plan
Suparelay calls China for $1.06/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in the US charge up to $4.00/min. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon each need an international add-on for China, so none includes it in a plan.
- AT&TInternational Calling
- T-MobileStateside International
- VerizonGlobal Calling
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 3× cheaper | $1.06 |
 | $4.00 + tax |
 | $3.00 + tax |
 | $2.49 + tax |
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 1 hour twice a year because the US changes its clocks, not China.
- Time difference
- March to November: 12 hours ahead of New York
- November to March: 13 hours ahead of New York
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
- Time zones
- 2
Why a call to China fails
AT&T bills Wi-Fi calls abroad at long-distance rates
An AT&T Wi-Fi call to an international number uses international long distance rates. The Wi-Fi connection does not make the call cheaper.
AT&T, Wi-Fi CallingFrom 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 to call China from the US cell phone, or from a USA mobile?
Dial +86, then the number. It works from any mobile in the US
Are calls to China included in US cellular plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in the US that we checked includes China in a plan
How much does it cost to call China from the USA?
With no plan, carriers in the US charge up to $4.00 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Shanghai from the USA?
For Shanghai, dial 011 86 21, then the local number
Do I need to dial 011 to call China?
From a landline, yes: dial 011, 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 USA 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 to call China from the USA 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 USA?
From a landline in the US, dial 011 86, then the number
When is the best time to call China?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in China. March to November: 12 hours ahead of New York. November to March: 13 hours ahead of New York
How do I call China from the US, or make an international call to China?
Dial 011 86, then the number. From a mobile, +86 works too