How to Call China from the United States?

Before making a call from the USA to China, it’s important to use the proper international dialing sequence. The complete Chinese phone number format for international calls from America includes the US exit code, followed by the China country code, then the relevant area code or mobile prefix, and finally the recipient’s phone number.

1. USA Exit Code: To place an international call from the US, you must first dial 011 or use the plus (+) sign. This prefix informs the telephone system that the call is being made to another country.
2. China Country Code: After the exit code, dial 86, which is China’s country code.
3. Area Code: For landline numbers in China, include the area code after the country code. This code identifies the specific city or region. When dialing from overseas, omit the leading zero from the area code.
4. Mobile Prefix: When calling a Chinese mobile number, use the mobile prefix instead of an area code. Mobile prefixes usually start with 1 and are three digits long.
5. Subscriber Number: Finally, dial the local subscriber number, which is the individual’s unique phone number.

To call from the US to China, enter the USA exit code (011), China country code (86), and the area code or mobile prefix, followed by the subscriber number.

To call a landline in China, dial the US exit code, China country code, area code, and local landline number.

• Step 1: Dial ‘011’, the US exit code. Replace it with “+” when calling from a mobile.
• Step 2: Dial 86, China’s country code.
• Step 3: Dial the area code of the region you are trying to contact.
• Step 4: Dial the subscriber’s landline number.

To call a Chinese cell phone from the US, dial the US exit code, the Chinese country code, and the subscriber's cell phone number.

• Step 1: Enter the US exit code - ‘001’ or ‘+’.
• Step 2: Enter the country code of China, 86.
• Step 3: Dial the 11-digit Chinese mobile number to complete the call.

To call a China toll-free number from the US, dial the US exit code, the China country code, the toll-free prefix, and the local number.

• Step 1: Dial 001 or +, the US international exit code, to start an international call.
• Step 2: Enter 86, China’s country code.
• Step 3: Dial the China toll-free prefix, usually 800 or 400.
• Step 4: Enter the subscriber's toll-free number to complete the call.

The best time to call China from the US is during China’s business hours, usually 9 AM to 6 PM local time, to ensure your call reaches the recipient at a convenient time. Depending on your US time zone, this usually means calling in the evening or late at night in the US.

The calling cost of China from the US typically ranges from around $0.11 per minute to $5 per minute. The exact cost varies depending on the service provider and your chosen plan.

Here’s the list of some popular U.S. carriers alongside their cost for calling China from the US:

You can use the social media apps, virtual phone numbers, or calling cards as an affordable alternative to the traditional carriers.

The social media apps like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat offer free calling and texting. However, both parties must have an account on the same app, be logged in, and have a stable internet connection to make calls.

Virtual phone numbers allow you to make phone calls over the internet. You can get these numbers from several VoIP service providers. They typically offer low call rates for international calls compared to the traditional carriers. Additionally, you can use them on your existing smartphones, laptops, or tabs, without buying additional hardware.

Calling cards are a popular and cost-effective method for making international calls from the US. These cards typically offer lower rates compared to traditional phone services by utilizing prepaid credit for international calls. You can purchase calling cards in stores or online, with various plans and pay-per-minute options. The cost varies depending on the provider and specific card.

For instance, Yolla charges $0.15/min for both landlines and mobiles while mytello charges $0.039 for each call.

Calling China from the US is straightforward once you know the correct dialing format, involving various unique codes and prefixes. Alongside the structure, it's also essential to consider the time-zone differences and calling cost to call at the right time at a reasonable price.