The two-letter code TW is the country code for Taiwan, and its international telephone dialing code is 886. To call a Taiwanese phone number from another country, you must dial your country’s exit code, followed by 886, and then the local number.
Making an international call is simple once you understand the formula. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for dialing Taiwan from anywhere in the world, along with helpful information on its phone number formats and time zone.
What is the TW Country Code?
There are two types of “country codes,” which can sometimes be confusing.
- The two-letter ISO code TW is the official country code abbreviation for Taiwan.
- The numeric telephone country code for Taiwan is 886. For international dialing, this is often written as +886.
The “+” symbol is a universal placeholder for the “exit code” (like 011 in the US or 00 in the UK) that you must dial to make an international call.
How to Call Taiwan (+886) from Other Countries (Step-by-Step)
The dialing sequence depends on where you are calling from. Below are the instructions for calling from North America and Europe.
From the USA or Canada
- Dial the U.S./Canada Exit Code: 011
- Dial the Taiwan Country Code: 886
- Dial the Local Taiwanese Number: Dial the local number, but be sure to drop the leading “0”. (More on this below).
Example (calling a mobile number): 011 + 886 + 912 345 678
From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the European Exit Code: 00
- Dial the Taiwan Country Code: 886
- Dial the Local Taiwanese Number: Dial the local number, also dropping the leading “0”.
Example (calling a Taipei landline): 00 + 886 + 2 1234 5678
Important: The “Drop the Zero” Rule for Taiwanese Numbers
This is the most important step to avoid dialing errors. Local numbers in Taiwan always begin with a “0” when dialed from within the country. When calling internationally, you must always drop this leading “0”.
- Mobile Numbers: Taiwanese mobile numbers are 10 digits long and almost always start with 09. For international dialing, you drop the 0 and dial the remaining 9 digits.
- Local Format: 0912 345 678
- International Format: +886 912 345 678
- Landline Numbers: Landlines have a 1 or 2-digit area code (like 02 for Taipei) and a 7 or 8-digit number. You must also drop the leading 0 from the area code.
- Local Format (Taipei): (02) 1234 5678
- International Format (Taipei): +886 2 1234 5678
Time Zone in Taiwan for Calling
Before you place your call, it’s important to be aware of the time difference. Taiwan operates on China Standard Time (CST), which is UTC+8 year-round.
Taiwan does not observe daylight saving time. Be sure to check the current local time in Taipei before calling to avoid waking someone up or calling after business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Taiwan?
The capital of Taiwan is Taipei.
Are calls to Taiwan expensive?
Yes. Calling Taiwan from North America, Europe, or other regions is an international long-distance call and will be billed at a higher rate than domestic calls. To avoid surprises on your bill, check the specific rates for calling Taiwan with your phone service provider.
What is the area code for Taipei?
When calling internationally, the area code for Taipei is 2. You would dial [Your Exit Code] + 886 + 2 + [Local Number].
Is the TW country code (+886) the same as the CN country code (+86)?
No, and this is a critical distinction. They are two different country codes for different locations. TW (+886) is for Taiwan, while CN (+86) is for mainland China. Using the wrong code will connect you to the wrong destination.
Conclusion
In summary, the TW country code refers to Taiwan, and its telephone country code is 886. To place a call successfully, you must first dial your country’s exit code (such as 011 from the US/Canada), followed by 886, and then the local Taiwanese phone number, making sure to drop the leading ‘0’ from the start of the number. By following this format and being mindful of the local time, you can easily connect with friends, family, and businesses in Taiwan.
