China +86
To call China from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 86, then the local number without its leading 0. Written in full: +86 131 2345 6789.
The country calling code for China is +86. A number starting +86 or 0086 is a call to or from China. From abroad: +86 131 2345 6789.
To call China from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 86, then the local number without its leading 0. The +86 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call China from abroad
011 86 131 2345 678900 86 131 2345 67890011 86 131 2345 6789+86 131 2345 6789131 2345 6789 is a real-format China mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
China area codes
When calling a landline in China, dial the city area code after +86 (without its leading 0):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 10 | +86 10 … |
| Shanghai | 21 | +86 21 … |
| Guangzhou | 20 | +86 20 … |
| Shenzhen | 755 | +86 755 … |
| Chengdu | 28 | +86 28 … |
Number format
10 1234 5678from abroad+86 10 1234 56780131 2345 6789from abroad+86 131 2345 6789Landline numbers in China have 7 to 11 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 11 digits and start with 1. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +86.
Calling abroad from China
To call another country from China, dial the exit code 00 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From China to the United States, for example: 00 1 201 555 0123.
A China number in international format is written +86 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.
Cheapest ways to call China
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call China for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +86?
China has the country calling code +86.
How do I call China from the United States?
Dial 011, then 86, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 131 2345 6789.
What does +86 mean?
It is the international dialing code for China. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +86 mobile or landline?
The +86 code identifies the country, not the line type; China landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile network codes in China
Every mobile network is identified by a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC). They appear on your phone when it roams, in SIM settings and in any network lookup. China has 4 network operators with their own infrastructure:
| Network | MCC-MNC | Technologies | Subscribers |
|---|---|---|---|
| China MobileState-owned (SASAC) Public-traded | 460-00 | 2G · 4G · 5G | 1,008.9 MQ1 2026 |
| China TelecomState-owned (SASAC) Public-traded | 460-11 | 4G · 5G | 440.6 MQ1 2026 |
| China UnicomState-owned (SASAC) Public-traded | 460-01 | 4G · 5G | 242.0 MQ1 2026 |
| China BroadnetState-owned (NRTA) | 460-15 | 4G · 5G | 43.0 MQ1 2026 |
A struck-through generation has been switched off on that network. MCC-MNC: ITU-T E.212 codes as listed on Wikipedia.
2G and 3G switch-off timeline
- China Mobile — 3G (TD-SCDMA) switched off
- China Unicom — 2G (GSM) switched off
- China Telecom — 2G (cdmaOne) switched off
- China Telecom — 3G (CDMA2000) switched off
- China Unicom — 3G (UMTS) planned switch-off
Received a call from a China number? Check it with the phone number lookup: type of line, format and local time.
Source: Wikipedia — lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G and 3G phase-out, mobile number portability (CC BY-SA 4.0). Subscriber counts as published by each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Phone rules in China
The rules a caller, a visitor or a new resident runs into in China, each with its source.
| ID to buy a SIM | Real-name registration is mandatory (MIIT rules since 1 September 2013); foreigners register with their passport, and face comparison against the ID has been required in physical sales channels since 1 December 2019. A passport holder can obtain at most five SIM cards.english.beijing.gov.cn |
|---|---|
| Calling apps | Restricted: WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal are blocked by the Great Firewall (Signal since March 2021); domestic apps such as WeChat are the norm.scmp.com |
| Reporting scam calls | 12321 Network Bad and Spam Information Reporting Center (commissioned by MIIT): report spam SMS, scam and nuisance calls at www.12321.cn, by SMS to 12321 or by phone 010-12321. For fraud in progress, call police 110.12321.cn |
| Emergency numbers | Police 110, Fire 119, Ambulance 120, Traffic accidents 122 (free calls). No single all-in-one number.english.beijing.gov.cn |
Checked on 28 September 2026. Rules on SIM registration and calling apps change often: confirm with the regulator or the operator.