Last reviewed: 2025-01-07 · Reading time: 5 minutes
How do you dial Philippines from United States?
- Country code
+63- Mobile numbers
-
Example:
+63 917 123 4567Mobile numbers are 10 digits starting with 9. Common prefixes: 917, 918, 919 (Globe), 905, 906, 915, 916 (Smart). Drop the leading 0.
- Landline numbers
-
Example:
+63 2 8123 4567Metro Manila uses area code 2. Other areas have 2-digit codes. Drop the leading 0—dial +63 2, not +63 02.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Keeping the leading 0—dial +63 917, not +63 0917
- Forgetting the time difference (it's essentially tomorrow there)
- Calling during Philippine lunch break (12-1 PM) or siesta time
When is the best time to call Philippines?
Timezone: PHT (UTC+8)—Philippines is 12-16 hours ahead of the US
Morning call
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM PHT (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST / 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST (previous day) your time)
Your afternoon/evening catches their morning. Good for catching family before work.
Evening call
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM PHT (3:00 AM - 6:00 AM PST / 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST your time)
Your early morning catches their evening. Works if you're an early riser.
What should you know about calling Philippines?
The Philippines has two major carriers: Globe and Smart. Mobile coverage
is good in cities and populated areas but can be spotty in rural provinces
and remote islands. Most Filipinos use mobile as their primary number—
landlines are mainly for businesses.
Call quality to Metro Manila and major cities is good. Calls to provinces
may occasionally have quality issues depending on local coverage. If a
call drops, try again—network congestion can affect connections.
Cultural tips
Filipinos are warm and enjoy long conversations, especially with family
abroad. Sunday is a popular day for family calls after church. Avoid
calling during mealtimes (12-1 PM lunch, 6-8 PM dinner) or late at
night. "Mano po" culture means older relatives appreciate being called
regularly.
Holidays to know
Christmas season starts early (September!) and peaks Dec 24-25. Holy
Week (March/April) is a major holiday—many travel to provinces. New
Year's Eve is huge. Fiestas vary by town throughout the year. All
Saints' Day (Nov 1) means family gatherings at cemeteries.
Alternatives to phone calls
Facebook Messenger is extremely popular in the Philippines—often more
than WhatsApp. Many Filipinos prefer video calls via Messenger to see
family. Viber is also widely used. Free WiFi calling is common since
data plans can be expensive.
Frequently asked questions
What's the time difference between the US and the Philippines?
The Philippines (UTC+8) is significantly ahead of US time zones:
- Pacific Time: 16 hours ahead (15 during PDT)
- Mountain Time: 15 hours ahead (14 during MDT)
- Central Time: 14 hours ahead (13 during CDT)
- Eastern Time: 13 hours ahead (12 during EDT)
When it's 7 PM Friday in New York, it's 8 AM Saturday in Manila.
What are common Philippine mobile prefixes?
Globe/TM: 905, 906, 915, 916, 917, 926, 927, 935, 936, 937, 945, 955, 956, 965, 966, 967, 975, 976, 977, 995, 996, 997
Smart/TNT/Sun: 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 918, 919, 920, 921, 928, 929, 930, 938, 939, 940, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 961, 963, 968, 969, 970, 981, 989, 992, 998, 999
All are 10 digits total after dropping the leading 0.
What are the area codes for major Philippine cities?
Metro Manila: 2
Cebu City: 32
Davao City: 82
Baguio: 74
Iloilo: 33
Bacolod: 34
Cagayan de Oro: 88
Zamboanga: 62
General Santos: 83
Angeles/Clark: 45
Why is Facebook Messenger more popular than WhatsApp in the Philippines?
Facebook has been dominant in the Philippines for years, and Messenger
came bundled with it. Many mobile plans include "free Facebook" data.
The Philippines has one of the highest Facebook usage rates in the
world. If you want to reach family easily, get on Messenger.
What's the best time to call the Philippines from California?
From California (Pacific Time), call between 3-6 PM your time to reach
the Philippines at 7-10 AM their time (next day). Or call 3-6 AM your
time for 7-10 PM Philippine time same day. Weekends give more flexibility
since your contact may not be working.
Current rates
$0.26-$0.32/min
Rates vary by mobile vs landline. Billed per minute, rounded up.
View all rates →