What does a China phone number look like?
- International format
+86 131 1234 5678- IDD format (caller ID)
0086 131 1234 5678- Number length
- 10-11 digits after the country code (varies by number type)
- Mobile example
-
131 1234 5678(local) →+86 131 1234 5678 - Landline example
-
010-12345678(local) →+86 10-12345678 - Mobile numbers start with
- 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
- Landline numbers start with
- 10, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25
Area codes in China
| City / Region | Area code |
|---|---|
| Beijing | 10 |
| Shanghai | 21 |
| Guangzhou | 20 |
| Shenzhen | 755 |
| Chengdu | 28 |
| Wuhan | 27 |
| Hangzhou | 571 |
| Nanjing | 25 |
Mobile numbers don't use geographic area codes.
Received a call or message from +86?
A call or text from +86 (or 0086) originates from China.
If you don't know anyone in China, be cautious. Common patterns with unfamiliar international numbers:
- One-ring scams (Wangiri): The caller rings once and hangs up, hoping you'll call back a premium-rate number. Don't return calls to numbers you don't recognize.
- SMS phishing: Messages claiming to be from banks, delivery services, or government agencies. Legitimate organizations won't contact you from a +86 number unless you have an account in China.
- Spoofed numbers: The caller ID can be faked. A call showing +86 may not actually originate from China.
If you do know someone in China and want to call them back, see the dialing instructions below.
How to call China from abroad
- International format (recommended)
-
+86 [local number]Example:
+86 131 2345 6789 - From a mobile phone
-
Press and hold 0 or tap + to get the plus sign, then dial
+86followed by the local number. - From a landline
-
Dial your country's international access code, then
86, then the local number.
| From | Dial |
|---|---|
| US/Canada | 011 86 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 86 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 86 [local number] |
| Your browser (DialHard) | +86 [local number] |
Do I need to drop the leading zero?
Yes. When calling China from abroad, drop the leading 0 from the local number.
For example, if the local number is 0XX XXX XXXX, dial +86 XX XXX XXXX.
What time zone is China?
China spans 2 time zones:
- Asia/Shanghai
- Asia/Urumqi
Not a good time to call
12:05 AM local time · Late night / early morning
Most people are sleeping.
Tips for calling China
Based on patterns from DialHard users and support data:
- Mainland China numbers may have significant latency due to routing. Be patient.
- Many Chinese use WeChat for calls - voice calls to mobile often go unanswered.
Calling China
Direct calling to China isn't available yet. View available destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the code +86 from?
+86 is the international dialing code for China.
Is +86 a mobile or landline code?
+86 is the country code for all of China — both mobile and landline numbers use this code. The digits after the country code may indicate the number type, but this varies by country.
Is a call from +86 a scam?
Not necessarily. +86 is the legitimate country code for China. However, scammers can spoof any country code. If you don't recognize the number or weren't expecting a call from China, don't call back — especially if they only rang once.
Why won't my call to China connect?
Common issues:
- Wrong format: Make sure you're using +86 (not 0086 or just 86)
- Extra digits: Remove any trunk prefix (usually 0) from the start of the local number
- Missing digits: Ensure you have the complete local number after the country code
What does a China phone number look like?
A China number in international format starts with
+86 followed by the local number.
Local numbers are typically 10-11 digits long.
Example: +86 131 1234 5678
How do I save a China number in my contacts?
Always save international numbers in E.164 format: +86 followed by the local number (without the leading 0 if applicable). This format works worldwide.
How do I block calls from +86?
On most smartphones, you can block individual numbers by opening your recent calls, tapping the number, and selecting "Block." To block all calls from a country code, check your carrier's international call blocking options or use a call-filtering app.