Calling China from the USA: A Comprehensive Guide

Calling China from the USA shouldn’t be a headache. We get it—maybe you’re checking on your mom in Shanghai, closing a deal with your Beijing team, or just wanting to wish your college buddy in Guangzhou “Happy New Year.”

Let’s walk through the simple steps to make those calls happen smoothly. You’ll stay close without fuss. This guide cuts through the confusion, giving you clear steps, real examples, and money-saving options to call without worry or high costs. It hits the right note.

Basic Dialing Format When Calling to China From the USA 

You first need to know the basic dialing format before you start calling to China from the USA. If you fail to add the correct dialing format, you won’t be able to make calls. The process is different for both landlines and mobile phones. Now let’s have a look at the dialing format.

Whether calling a landline or mobile number in China, follow this universal sequence:

• U.S. Exit Code: Dial 011 (or + on mobile).
• China’s Country Code: Enter 86.
• Area Code (Landlines Only): Include the 2–4 digit city code.
• Local Number: Input the 8-digit landline or 11-digit mobile number.

Think of it this way: If you’re calling from a regular home phone, you’ll dial it out like 011-86-10-XXXX-XXXX (with the area code included). But when using your cell phone? You’ve got options, either dial it the same way or simply use the ‘+’ shortcut like this: +86-XXX-XXXX-XXXX. We will further see how area codes differ and affect the sequence below.

China’s International Dialing Code

The international China’s country code is +86 that routes calls to China’s telecommunications network.

However, as discussed before that landlines require an area code (e.g., 10 for Beijing) and mobiles omit the area code and start with 1 (e.g., 1XX XXXX XXXX).

Remember that the +86 dialing code is used by people calling China from outside the country. Like in this case when making a phone call from the USA to China.

How to Call China from the USA?

Calling China from the USA is simple when you follow this sequence of steps:

Step 1: Dial the China Exit Code

Dial the exit code for international calls from the USA, 110. This tells your cell phone provider that you are making an international call.

Step 2: Enter the Country Code for China

Next, enter China’s country code, 86. This code directs your call to China.

Step 3: Dial the Area Code for China

You will need to dial the area code for landline numbers in China. This changes from place to place within China.

Step 4: Enter the Local Chinese Phone Number

Finally, enter the 8 or 11-digit local phone number. This is a specific number of the person you are trying to reach.

Examples of Calling Landline and Mobile Numbers

Let’s walk through calling China like you’d explain it to a friend. Whether reaching a landline or mobile, just remember the pattern:

Calling Beijing

• Local number: 10-1234-5678
• From your landline: Dial 011-86-10-1234-5678
• From your cell: Just type +86-10-1234-5678

(Tip: Landlines always need that “10” city code – like adding an apartment number)

Calling Shanghai

• Local number: 21-1234-5678
• Landline: 011-86-21-1234-5678
• Cell shortcut: +86-21-1234-5678

(See? Same idea – the “21” tells the network “Find this in Shanghai”)

Popular Area Codes of China

Above are some of the most popular area codes of China. Think of the biggest places you know—now imagine cities even larger.

Today, China’s giants hold staggering scale: Shanghai is home to nearly 25 million people. Beijing follows with almost 22 million. Even Guangzhou, slightly “smaller,” shelters 18.8 million souls—like fitting over 2 New York Cities into one place, all buzzing with life.

These cities are some of the main business hubs of China were millions and millions of calls are made daily. For other cities, refer to a comprehensive area code directory.

Time Zone Differences between China and the USA

China Standard Time (CST) is UTC+8 and never observes Daylight Saving Time. The U.S. spans 4–6 time zones, creating significant gaps:

• Business Calls: Aim for 8 AM–5 PM CST (early mornings/late evenings in U.S.).
• Personal Calls: Evenings (6 PM–9 PM) or weekends in China align with U.S. mornings.

Knowing time zone differences can help you schedule tasks so that you can make your calls at an appropriate time with respect to their time zone.

Costs & Tips when Calling from the USA

Traditional carrier rates range from $0.20–$2.00/minute. Avoid bill shock with these strategies:

1. VoIP Services

VoIP services offer a cost-effective way to call China, with rates often starting around one cent per minute. Beyond savings, they provide useful features like obtaining a virtual Chinese phone number for local callbacks, connecting with business tools for customer management, and tracking call details for better oversight.

2. Apps with Free Options

Apps like WeChat or WhatsApp allow free calls to China when both people use the same app, though WhatsApp often requires a VPN there. For calls using regular phone lines without needing internet, the Talk Home App offers a dependable option with rates starting at just 1 cent per minute to both mobiles and landlines.

3. International Carrier Plans

Major carriers like AT&T and Verizon offer add-on plans such as Global Calling Plus (around $15/month) that include unlimited calls to China. For more flexibility with occasional calls, prepaid calling cards, like those from Talk Home, provide low per-minute rates without contracts or hidden fees, letting you pay only for what you use.

How to Call China from the USA using Talk Home App?

You can call China from the USA using the Talk Home App in these simple steps:

1. Download: Install from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Add Credits: Purchase via PayPal or Visa/Mastercard.
3. Dial: Enter +86 and the full Chinese number (e.g., +86 139 1234 5678).
4. Call: Make a call to China and connect instantly, no Wi-Fi required.

By using the Talk Home App and following these simple steps, you can call any number in China from the USA at the most affordable rates on the market.

Wrapping It Up

To wrap up, calling China successfully relies on three elements:

1. Use the correct dialing sequence: 011 86, followed by the area code for landlines and the full local number.
2. Consider time zone differences carefully—aim for China’s business hours or evenings to ensure your call reaches someone awake and available. These foundational steps prevent misdials and miss connections.
3. Prioritize cost control by choosing modern solutions. VoIP services, specialized apps, or carrier add-ons significantly reduce per-minute charges compared to standard rates.

Talk Home App further simplifies this by offering reliable connections without traditional fees. Together, these approaches make calls across the Pacific.

Whether for family updates or business, the Talk Home App is efficient and affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions