How to call the UK from China
- From mobile
- +44 xx xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- 00 44 xx xxxx xxxx
From $0.05/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial the UK from China
How to make a call to the UK from China: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. The 0 that starts a UK area code drops after 44, so London is 20 and not 020.
- 00China exit code
- 44Country code of the UK
- 20London
- xxxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile: +44 xx xxxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +44 20 7946 0018
- Mobile
- +44 20 7946 0018
- Landline
- 00 44 20 7946 0018
Main area codes in the UK
The area code comes right after 44, then the local number
- London00 4420then the local number
- Birmingham00 44121then the local number
- Glasgow00 44141then the local number
- Manchester00 44161then the local number
- Sheffield00 44114then the local number
- Leeds00 44113then the local number
- Edinburgh00 44131then the local number
- Liverpool00 44151then the local number
Before you call the UK
Call Birmingham and other UK cities
Dial the exit code, 44, and the city code. Use the same pattern for any city in the UK.
- Birmingham00 44 121
- Manchester00 44 161
- Glasgow00 44 141
Drop the 0 after 44
A 10-digit number after 44 has no 0 in front. Callers keep the 0 from a UK number written at home, and the call fails.
- Fails
- 00 44 0121 xxx xxxx
- Works
- 00 44 121 xxx xxxx
Add 17951 on China Mobile
China Mobile bills 17951 calls in whole minutes, and each partial minute counts as one.
- Dial 17951
- Dial 00 44
- Dial the number
Calling the UK from China without an international plan
Suparelay calls the UK for $0.05/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in China charge up to $1.02/min. No carrier in China that we checked includes the UK in a plan, and China Mobile needs 17951 before the number.
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan neededUp to 20× cheaper | $0.05 landline$0.07 mobile |
 | $1.02 |
 | $0.25 with access code 17951 |
Want to call the UK?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call the UK
The time now in the UK, and the best hours to call. The UK uses daylight saving time, so the time difference to Shanghai changes in March and October.
- Time difference
- March to October: 7 hours behind Shanghai
- October to March: 8 hours behind Shanghai
- Daylight saving time
- Clocks change twice a year
Why a call to the UK fails
Enable China Unicom long-distance calls
Enable China Unicom's long-distance permission before you dial a number abroad. It is free to enable.
中国联通, 国际、港澳台业务专区Add 17951 for these rates
China Mobile's 17951 international rates apply when you add 17951 before the number.
中国移动, 17951 IP电话Internet calls may be unavailable
You may be unable to make calls through internet-based services in China.
Australian Government, Smartraveller: China Travel Advice & Safety17951 calls round up each minute
China Mobile bills 17951 international calls in whole minutes. It rounds any partial minute up to one minute.
中国移动, 17951 IP电话From any country, a call to the UK also fails when
- The 0 is still in the number
- The exit code is wrong for your country
- The number does not take calls from abroad
Questions
How to call the UK from China on a cell phone or mobile?
Dial +44, then the number. It works from any mobile in China
Are calls to the UK included in China phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in China that we checked includes the UK in a plan
How much does it cost to call the UK from China?
With no plan, carriers in China charge up to $1.02 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
Do I need to dial 00 to call the UK?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 44. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How to call the UK landline from China?
From a landline in China, dial 00 44, then the number
How to make an international call to the UK?
Dial 00 44, then the number. From a mobile, +44 works too
How do I call the UK from China, and is calling the UK cell phones the same?
Dial 00 44, then the number. From a mobile, +44 works too
Can I call the UK on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 44 and the number. Your plan must allow calls to the UK
How to call the UK from 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 to call the UK from China on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in the UK without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
Why isn't my call going through to the UK, or to a UK toll free number from China?
The usual causes: the 0 is still in the number, 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
When is the best time to call the UK?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in the UK. March to October: 7 hours behind Shanghai. October to March: 8 hours behind Shanghai