Emergency Hotlines
110119120122
China uses separate short emergency numbers rather than a single universal emergency code. 110 is for police, 119 for fire, 120 for ambulance services, and 122 for traffic accidents.
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China Phone Number Format, Examples, and Dialing Guide
Dial Code: +86|Last updated: January 1, 2026
Local Format
138 1234 5678
E.164 Format
+8613812345678
International
+86 138 1234 5678
About China Phone Numbers
Chinese mobile numbers start with 1, followed by 3-9, then 9 more digits (total 11 digits). Different prefixes indicate different carriers: 13x, 14x, 15x, 16x, 17x, 18x, 19x. Landlines follow different patterns.
How to Dial China Phone Numbers
To call a China phone number, the exact format depends on where the call starts. Domestic mobile calls usually use the full national number, while international calls to China use the +86 country code.
- Within China: Most mobile calls use the full national number.Example:
138 1234 5678 - From abroad to China: Dial +86 followed by the Chinese number.Example:
+86 138 1234 5678 - From China to other countries: Dial 00, then the country code, then the full phone number.Example:
00 1 212 555 0123
Note: Mainland China mobile numbers typically start with 1 and are written without a separate domestic trunk prefix in the sample format shown here.
Dialing Assistant
Check how to dial between countries and copy a ready-to-use result.
China to China
Within China, dial the national number in local format.
Dial string
138 1234 5678
Phone Number Structure
This table breaks down the example number shown for China.
| Component | Digits | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Code | 2 | +86 | Used when the number is written in international format. |
| Mobile Prefix | 3 | 138 | Mainland China mobile numbers start with 1, followed by a carrier or numbering range digit. |
| Subscriber Number | 8 | 12345678 | The remaining 8 digits identify the individual mobile subscriber. |
Special Cases
Some numbers and prefixes in China have special rules or reserved uses.
Government Service Hotline
1234512345 is widely used as a non-emergency public service hotline for government inquiries, complaints, and service coordination. It is distinct from police, fire, and medical emergency numbers.
Enterprise Service Numbers
95xxx96xxx400-xxx-xxxxShort 95 and 96 numbers, as well as many 400 numbers, are commonly used by banks, insurers, airlines, and other enterprises for customer service rather than as ordinary personal phone numbers.
China Phone Number FAQ
Common questions about phone number length, format, and examples in China.
How many digits are in a Chinese mobile phone number?+
Most mainland China mobile phone numbers have 11 digits. Landline numbers do not always follow the same length because they include an area code and a local number.
What is the format of a Chinese mobile phone number?+
A typical mainland China mobile number has 11 digits and usually starts with 1. In international format, it is commonly written as +86 followed by the mobile number.
What is the format of a Chinese landline number?+
A Chinese landline number usually includes an area code and a local number. Because area codes vary by city, landline formats are not always written the same way as mobile numbers.
How do I write a Chinese phone number in international format?+
To write a Chinese phone number in international format, add +86 before the national number. For mobile numbers, this is usually +86 followed by the full 11-digit mobile number.
What is an example of a Chinese phone number?+
A format example for a Chinese mobile number can be shown as 138XXXXXXXX domestically or +86 138XXXXXXXX internationally. These examples are for reference only and should not be treated as real contact numbers.
What is the difference between a Chinese mobile number and a Chinese landline number?+
A Chinese mobile number is typically an 11-digit number used for cell phones, while a Chinese landline number usually includes an area code and a local number. The structure is different, so mobile and landline formats should not be treated as interchangeable.
Validation Regex
regexregex
^\+861[3-9]\d{9}$Code Examples
CSS Masking Format
Use this CSS mask to automatically format phone number inputs:
cssinput-masking.css
input[type="tel"] {
mask: 000 0000 0000;
mask-image: none; /* Fallback */
}