Call China from United States
Affordable calls from United States to China. No app needed.
Mobile
$2.38
per minute
Landline
$2.38
per minute
Same rate whether you call from United States or anywhere else
How major carriers compare
| Provider | Rate | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Callana | $2.38/min | Pay as you go |
| AT&T | $2.50/min | AT&T International Day Pass |
| Verizon | $1.99/min | Verizon International Plan |
| T-Mobile | $0.25/min | T-Mobile Stateside International |
Carrier rates are approximate and may vary. Callana rates are the same regardless of where you call from.
Cost Calculator: Calls to China
See exactly what your call will cost
Mobile cost
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Landline cost
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Best Way to Call China from United States
Browser-Based (Callana)
Call directly from your browser at web.callana.app. No app download, no SIM card needed. Works from any country.
VoIP / Internet Calling
Use a VoIP service over WiFi or mobile data. Best for regular international callers who make frequent calls to China.
Traditional Carrier
Dial 011 + 86 + local number from your United States phone. Rates vary by carrier and plan.
How to call China
Call with Callana
Enter the number with the country code. No exit codes or international prefixes needed.
From a regular phone
Dial your country's exit code, then the country code +86, then the local number.
Area codes for major cities
Beijing
+86-10
Shanghai
+86-21
Guangzhou
+86-20
Shenzhen
+86-755
Chengdu
+86-28
Common Issues When Calling China
Dialing CodeChinese mobile numbers are 11 digits starting with 1
Chinese mobile numbers are 11 digits starting with 1
Chinese mobile numbers are 11 digits beginning with 1 (e.g. 1XX-XXXX-XXXX). Dial +86 followed by all 11 digits. Do not drop any leading digit — there is no trunk prefix to remove.
RoutingLandlines require the city area code
Landlines require the city area code
Chinese landline numbers need the city area code: Beijing (10), Shanghai (21), Guangzhou (20), Shenzhen (755). Dial +86 + area code + local number. Area codes are 2-4 digits.
BlockedVoIP services may be restricted or degraded
VoIP services may be restricted or degraded
China's Great Firewall can interfere with VoIP services. Standard international calls route through traditional phone networks and are more reliable than internet-based alternatives.
Calling China from United States
Time difference
China is 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time
Best time to call
Early morning US (7-9 AM ET) = evening China (8-10 PM CST)
Popular cities called
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu
Peak calling seasons
Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival
Calling tips
Chinese families value calls during Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Mid-Autumn Festival. Evening calls after dinner are preferred.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to call China from United States?
With Callana, calls from United States to China cost $2.38/min to mobile phones and $2.38/min to landlines. No subscription required — just pay as you go.
What time should I call China from United States?
Early morning US (7-9 AM ET) = evening China (8-10 PM CST). China is 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. Callana is available 24/7 so you can call anytime.
How do I call China from United States?
The easiest way is to use Callana in your browser — just enter the China number and we connect you instantly. From a regular phone in United States, dial 011 + 86 + the local number.
Do I need a special app to call China?
No. Callana works directly in your browser — no app download needed. Just open web.callana.app, add credit, and start calling China from United States immediately.
What is the best way to call China from United States?
The easiest way is to use Callana's browser-based calling — no app needed, just open web.callana.app and dial. For traditional calling from United States, dial 011 then +86 followed by the local number. Callana offers the same low rates regardless of where you call from.
Why is my call to China not connecting?
Common issues when calling China include using the wrong country code format and incorrect digit count. Make sure you're dialing the full international number with the correct country code. If using Callana, enter the number without any exit codes — we handle the routing automatically.