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How to Call China From the US: Complete Guide (+86)
Table of Contents
China is one of the most frequently called countries from the US, with millions of Chinese Americans maintaining family and business ties. The good news: calling China is remarkably cheap via VoIP — as low as $0.01 per minute for landlines. US carriers, however, charge $1-$5 per minute.
This guide covers the correct dialling format for Chinese numbers, city area codes, mobile prefixes, and the cheapest ways to call in 2026.
How to Dial China From the US
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+86 + Area/Mobile Code + Local Number
Mobile: +86 138 1234 5678
Beijing landline: +86 10 1234 5678
Shanghai landline: +86 21 1234 5678
Guangzhou landline: +86 20 1234 5678
Step by Step
- Dial + (or 011 from a landline)
- Dial 86 (China country code)
- For mobile: Dial the 11-digit number (no leading 0)
- For landline: Dial the area code + local number
Important: Chinese mobile numbers are always 11 digits starting with 1. Landline area codes are 2-3 digits, and the total number (area code + local) is 10-12 digits.
