The country code +63 is the dedicated international telephone code for the Republic of the Philippines, an archipelago nation located in Southeast Asia.
Whether you are placing an international call to friends or family, engaging in business, or simply trying to identify the source of an unexpected call, seeing the +63 country code tells you the call is either originating from or destined for the Philippines. Since telecommunications in the Philippines can be complex, this guide will provide the exact dialing structure for both landline and mobile numbers, including the specific city and mobile network codes you need to know.
The Philippine Dialing Format (+63) Explained
The Philippines utilizes an open telephone numbering plan. This means the length of local numbers can vary slightly, but the overall international structure remains consistent.
The complete international dialing format for the Philippines is:
Breakdown of the Required Codes
| Element | Description | Digits | Example (Calling Manila from U.S.) |
| Exit Code | The code needed to dial out of your country (e.g., 011 from the US/Canada, 00 from most of Europe). | Varies | 011 |
| Country Code | The unique international calling code for the Philippines. | 2 | 63 |
| Area Code | A 1, 2, or 3-digit code for a specific region or city. | 1–3 | 2 (Manila) |
| Local Number | The recipient’s unique landline or mobile number. | 7–8 | 8123-4567 |
| Full Dialing Example | 12–13 digits (total) | 011 63 2 81234567 |
Fixed-Line (Landline) Codes for Major Philippine Cities
Landline numbers in the Philippines are tied to geographic area codes. These area codes are always dialed immediately after the +63 country code when calling internationally.
Here are the codes for the most significant regions:
| City/Region | Area Code (Dialed after +63) | Phone Length (International) |
| Metro Manila (NCR) | 2 | 8 digits |
| Cebu City | 32 | 7 digits |
| Davao City | 82 | 7 digits |
| Iloilo City | 33 | 7 digits |
| Baguio | 74 | 7 digits |
| Bacolod | 34 | 7 digits |
Note on Manila: Since October 2019, Metro Manila landlines use an 8-digit number, meaning the total length of the number (excluding +63) is 9 digits (2 + 8). Other regions typically use a 2- or 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit local number.
Calling Mobile Phones in the Philippines
Mobile numbers in the Philippines follow a standard 10-digit format (excluding the country code). This number consists of a 3-digit mobile service provider prefix and a 7-digit subscriber number.
When dialing a mobile phone internationally, you do not use the geographic area code. Instead, the mobile prefix (which typically starts with a 9, like 917 or 920) follows the country code.
Example Call to a Mobile Number:
If the local mobile number is 917-555-1234, you would dial:
The leading zero often seen in domestic Philippine numbers (e.g., 0917-XXX-XXXX) must be omitted when using the international country code +63.
International Scam Warning
The +63 country code is occasionally used by scammers, though typically less frequently than some other international codes. These calls often follow common international fraud patterns:
- One-Ring Scams (Wangiri): The phone rings once, and the caller hangs up immediately, hoping you will call back out of curiosity. If you return the call, you are often charged exorbitant international per-minute fees.
- Verification Codes: Some online scams or platforms may request a phone number using the +63 code, sometimes leading to unauthorized charges or credential harvesting.
Actionable Advice:
- Do not return missed calls from a +63 number you don’t recognize.
- Never share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers.
- If you receive an unexpected text message containing a link or demanding personal data from a +63 number, delete it immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Philippines’ time zone?
The Philippines operates on a single time zone: Philippine Standard Time (PST), which is UTC+8. This means the Philippines is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. When calling from the U.S. East Coast (EST/UTC-5), the Philippines is 13 hours ahead.
How do I use the “+” symbol instead of the exit code?
If you are using a mobile phone or a VoIP service, you can generally replace your country’s international exit code (like 011 or 00) with the plus sign (+). This automatically instructs your phone to use the correct exit code for your location. The correct format on a mobile device would be: +63 2 81234567.
Why did the Manila area code change?
The area code for Manila and Metro Manila remains 2, but the local number length was expanded from 7 digits to 8 digits in 2019 to accommodate the growing number of subscribers. This change affected regions including the National Capital Region (NCR), Rizal, and parts of Cavite and Laguna.
If you need a simple visual guide on how to dial internationally, please refer to the video How to Dial the Philippines (+63) – Quick Guide | International Calling Tips.
