How to call China from the US (+86 dialing guide)

Formula

From the US: 011 (or +) → 86 → China NSN (drop fixed-line area 0; mobile 1XX keeps its pattern).

X characters are placeholders, not a private callable number. Save +86 in contacts. Mainland China (+86) is not Hong Kong (+852) or Macao (+853).

Dial it step by step

1. 1

   Exit the US network. On a mobile or modern contact book, start with +. On a US landline, PBX, or digit-only service, dial 011.

2. 2

   Add the China country calling code: 86.

3. 3

   Add the NSN. Remove the leading area-code 0 for geographic fixed lines. Keep the full 11-digit mobile pattern beginning with 1; do not invent a fixed-line trunk strip.

Mobile and landline rules

• Fixed line: domestic 0 plus area code becomes +86 plus the area code without 0.
• Mobile: use +86 followed by the 11-digit mobile number beginning with 1.
• Hong Kong and Macao have separate country calling codes, +852 and +853.

See the China calling-code reference and the international dialing format guide.

Worked examples

Domestic → portable international → digits-only from United States. All subscriber digits shown as X are placeholders.

Common mistakes on this route

• Keeping the fixed-line area 0 after 86.
• Using +86 for Hong Kong or Macao.
• Saving 011 in the contact instead of +86.
• Stripping a digit from a mobile that should keep its 1XX start.

Quick China area codes (from the US)

Time difference (practical)

China uses one national time, UTC+8. It is typically about 12–13 hours ahead of US Eastern depending on US daylight saving time. Check the current offset before early or late calls.

How the international format is built

Under ITU-T E.164, the international number is the country code plus national significant number, with a maximum of 15 digits. The + symbol and spacing are access/display notation rather than E.164 digits.

Related routes and references

• UK from US
• Japan from US
• Germany from US
• India from US

FAQ