Chinese Phone Number Format: Domestically and Internationally Calling Tips

A Chinese phone number follows a structured format, making it easier to distinguish mobile, landline, and toll-free numbers. The structure can differ slightly depending on whether the call is made locally within China or from outside the country.

When dialing inside China, the phone number structure includes the trunk code (if calling from a landline to a different region), area code (for landline), mobile prefix (for mobile), and subscriber number.

When calling a Chinese number from abroad, the phone number structure includes the IAC (International Access Code) of the caller’s country, China’s country code, the area code (for landline), the mobile prefix (for mobile), and the subscriber number.

1. IAC: The IAC is also known as an exit code, which varies by country. For example, the exit code for the US is 011. On mobile, it can be replaced with a “+” sign for convenience when you dial China internationally.
    
2. Country Code: The country code is a number or a prefix used to identify a nation when calling from abroad, and China's country code is 86.
    
3. Trunk Code: A trunk code is a digit added before the area code when making a domestic long-distance landline call to a different region. In China, the trunk code is 0.
    

4. Area Code: An area code is a two- or three-digit number that is used in telephone numbering to route calls correctly to cities or regions.
   
   Here is a table listing China’s major cities with their respective area codes.

   City	Area Code
   Beijing	10
   Shanghai	21
   Guangzhou	20
   Shenzhen	755
   Chengdu	28
   Wuhan: 27	27
   Xi’an	29
   Qingdao	532
   Hangzhou	571
   Tianjin	22

5. Mobile Prefix: A mobile prefix is the set of digits at the beginning of a mobile phone number that identifies it as a mobile line and indicates the carrier or service provider.
   
   In China, the first digit is always “1”, while the second digit specifies the mobile carrier. For example, 3 for China Mobile, 5 for China Telecom, and 6 for China Unicom.
    
6. Subscriber Number: A subscriber number is unique to each individual or business line, and its number of digits depends on whether it's a landline or mobile (7-8 digits).

Chinese mobile numbers are 11 digits long and begin with the digit 1, followed by prefixes such as 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19, which help identify the mobile service provider or network.

When making a call within China, you can directly dial the number in the format 1XX-XXXX-XXXX, with no need for a country or area code.

When calling the same number from outside China, you must add the country code +86 before the mobile number, giving you the format +86 1XX-XXXX-XXXX.

Landline numbers consist of an area code (two or three digits) and a subscriber number (seven or eight digits).

When calling a landline within the same area, you only need to dial the subscriber number. If calling a landline from a different area in China, you must include the area code with a leading zero. For example, 0XX XXXX XXXX.

For international calls, you have to include the country code +86, followed by the area code, and then the subscriber number. For example, +86 XX XXXX XXXX.

Toll-free numbers in China start with 800 or 400. Numbers starting with 800 are generally free for the caller within China, while 400 numbers are shared-cost numbers, meaning the caller and receiver share the call charges. The format of toll-free numbers in China is 400-XXXX-XXXX or 800-XXXX-XXXX.

Dialing a Chinese phone number locally and internationally varies slightly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to dialing Chinese numbers both domestically and internationally.

When dialing a phone number within China, the process depends on the type of number you're calling: mobile, landline, or toll-free.
 

1. Dialing a Mobile Number Locally

When you are in China, mobile numbers can be dialed directly without any area codes or country codes. They are always 11 digits long and start with “1.” For example, to call a mobile user, you simply dial 138-1234-5678.
 

2. Dialing a Landline Number Locally

When calling from a landline, you need to dial an area code, but the code you dial depends on whether you're calling from the same area or a different area.

If you are calling within the same area, you only need to dial the subscriber number, which is usually seven or eight digits. For example, if you are in Qingdao and want to call a local landline, you need to dial 1234 5678.

If you are calling from another area, you must include the trunk code before the subscriber number. In this case, the area code is always preceded by a 0. For instance, to call a Qingdao number from another city in China, you would dial 0532 1234 5678, where 0532 is the area code for Qingdao.

3. Dialing a Toll-Free Number Locally

Toll-free numbers in China can be dialed directly without adding an area code or prefix. For example: 400-1234 -5678 or 800-876-5432

To dial a Chinese phone number internationally, first dial the exit code of the country you are calling from, then the country code for China, followed by the area code and the local phone number.

1. Dialing a Mobile Number Internationally

To call a Chinese mobile number from abroad, first dial the international exit code of the country you are calling from, then enter China's country code, followed by the 11-digit mobile number. Mobile numbers in China do not use an area code, so you simply include the prefix that begins with “1” along with the rest of the number.

2. Dialing a Landline Number Internationally

To call a Chinese landline number from abroad, first dial the international exit code of the country you are calling from, then enter China's country code, then the area code without the leading 0, and the subscriber number.

Common mistakes when dialing a Chinese phone number include forgetting to add the country code and adding an area code to mobile numbers. Other frequent issues involve mixing the plus sign with exit codes and misdialing without verifying the full number.

1. Forgetting the Country Code: When calling from outside China, some callers dial only the mobile or landline number without adding +86. The call will not connect without the country code.
    
2. Dialing Mobile Numbers with an Area Code: Mobile numbers in China are standalone 11-digit numbers and never require an area code.
    
3. Mixing Access Codes with the Plus Sign: Some callers mistakenly dial both the international access code and the + sign together. You should use one or the other, not both.
    
4. Trying to Call Toll-Free Numbers from Abroad: Chinese toll-free numbers generally don’t work outside China. International callers need an alternative local or international number.
    
5. Not Verifying the Number: Calls often fail if the number is entered incorrectly. Always double-check the area code, mobile prefix, and subscriber digits before dialing.

When calling China, keep in mind the time difference (CST, UTC+8) to align with local working hours, and use the correct area code format. Since traditional international calls can be costly, using VoIP services is often a more affordable option.

China follows China Standard Time (CST, UTC+8) and does not observe daylight savings. This time zone varies significantly from other countries, especially if you’re calling from the U.S., Europe, or other parts of the world. For example, Noon in New York is midnight in China, so it’s best to plan your calls around China’s working hours (9 am - 6 pm CST).

Chinese landline numbers require an area code, which can be two or three digits depending on the city. When calling domestically from a different area, include the area code with a leading 0. When calling from abroad, omit the leading zero.

Here’s a list of some major area codes in China:

Calling China from abroad can be expensive, especially if you’re using a traditional phone service without an international calling plan. The rates vary depending on your service provider and whether you’re calling a landline or mobile number. For example, AT&T’s basic international rate can be as high as $5.00 per minute for both landline and mobile calls.

To save on costs, consider using a Chinese virtual mobile operator or a VoIP service provider, which offer lower rates or free options for calls to China.

Understanding Chinese phone numbers is essential for anyone looking to communicate effectively with contacts in China. For local calls, you must dial the area code followed by the subscriber’s number. However, you need to add two more steps for international calls: initially, dial the exit code of the country you are calling from, and China’s country code.