The 63 country code belongs to the Philippines. Whether you're calling family in Manila, conducting business in Cebu, or reaching friends anywhere in this archipelago nation, the +63 prefix connects you to over 110 million Filipinos.
Quick Answer: The country code +63 is for the Philippines. Mobile numbers have 10 digits after +63 and start with 9. Drop the leading 0 when dialing internationally. Example: A local mobile
0917 123 4567becomes+63 917 123 4567internationally.
How to Call the Philippines: Quick Reference
The Philippines uses a trunk prefix (0) for domestic calls, which you must drop when calling internationally. Here's the format for calling from major countries:
| Calling From | Dialing Format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada Mobile | +63 [number without 0] |
| US/Canada Landline | 011-63-[number without 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-63-[number without 0] |
| Australia | 0011-63-[number without 0] |
| Saudi Arabia | 00-63-[number without 0] |
| UAE | 00-63-[number without 0] |
The Philippines has one of the world's largest diaspora populations, with millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the US, Middle East, UK, Canada, and Australia. International calling to the Philippines is common.
Understanding Philippine Phone Numbers
Philippine phone numbers vary in format between mobile and landline, and you must always drop the leading 0 when calling internationally.
The Leading Zero Rule
When calling the Philippines from abroad, drop the 0:
- Local mobile:
0917 123 4567(11 digits with 0) - International:
+63 917 123 4567(10 digits without 0)
Mobile Numbers
Philippine mobile numbers all start with 9:
- Length: 10 digits after +63 (11 digits locally with 0).
- Starting Digit: Mobile numbers always start with 9.
- Common Prefixes: 0917, 0918, 0919, 0920, 0921, 0922, 0923, 0927, 0928, 0929, 0930, 0935, 0936, 0945, 0955, 0956, 0977, 0995, 0996, 0997.
- Example:
+63 917 123 4567or+63 927 987 6543.
Landline Numbers (Fixed Line)
Philippine landlines use area codes:
- Metro Manila: Area code 2, followed by 8-digit number = 9 digits total after +63.
- Provincial: 2-digit area code + 7-digit number = 9 digits total after +63.
- Note: Manila recently expanded to 8-digit local numbers. Older 7-digit numbers have a prefix "8" added.
Philippines Area Codes Reference Table
Major cities and regions have the following area codes:
| City/Region | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Manila / Metro Manila | 2 | +63 2 XXXX XXXX |
| Cebu | 32 | +63 32 XXX XXXX |
| Davao | 82 | +63 82 XXX XXXX |
| Baguio | 74 | +63 74 XXX XXXX |
| Iloilo | 33 | +63 33 XXX XXXX |
| Bacolod | 34 | +63 34 XXX XXXX |
| Cagayan de Oro | 88 | +63 88 XXX XXXX |
| Zamboanga | 62 | +63 62 XXX XXXX |
| Angeles / Clark | 45 | +63 45 XXX XXXX |
| Subic | 47 | +63 47 XXX XXXX |
Note: Always drop the 0 from the area code when dialing internationally. A Manila number 02 8888 1234 becomes +63 2 8888 1234.
Mobile vs. Landline: How to Tell the Difference
You can tell whether a +63 number is mobile or landline:
- Starts with 9: Mobile number (e.g., +63 9XX XXX XXXX)
- Starts with 2: Manila landline (e.g., +63 2 XXXX XXXX)
- Starts with other digits (3-8): Provincial landline (area code)
Mobile calls typically cost more than landline calls from abroad.
Dialing Examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Philippine numbers:
Example 1: Calling a Manila Landline from the US
- Philippine Number (local): (02) 8888-1234
- From a US Mobile:
+63 2 8888 1234 - From a US Landline:
011 63 2 8888 1234
Example 2: Calling a Philippine Mobile from the US
- Philippine Number (local): 0917-123-4567
- From a US Mobile:
+63 917 123 4567 - From a US Landline:
011 63 917 123 4567
Example 3: Calling a Cebu Landline from the UK
- Philippine Number (local): (032) 234-5678
- From the UK:
00 63 32 234 5678
Example 4: Calling from Saudi Arabia
- Philippine Number (local): 0927-111-2222 (mobile)
- From Saudi Arabia:
00 63 927 111 2222
Best Times to Call the Philippines
The Philippines operates on Philippine Time (PHT), which is UTC+8 year-round (no daylight saving time).
| Your Location | Time Difference | Call Philippines 9 AM - 9 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Philippines is 13 hours ahead | 8 PM - 8 AM EST (previous day) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Philippines is 16 hours ahead | 5 PM - 5 AM PST (previous day) |
| UK (GMT) | Philippines is 8 hours ahead | 1 AM - 1 PM GMT |
| UAE (GST) | Philippines is 4 hours ahead | 5 AM - 5 PM GST |
| Australia (AEDT) | Philippines is 3 hours behind | 12 PM - 12 AM AEDT |
Tip: Filipinos are known for late nights and are often available for calls until 10-11 PM local time. Sundays are family days, so afternoon/evening calls work well. Avoid calling during major holidays like Christmas and Holy Week when families gather.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most common errors when dialing the 63 country code:
- Keeping the 0: You must drop the leading 0 when calling internationally. Dial +63 917, not +63 0917.
- Wrong number of digits: Mobile = 10 digits after +63. Manila landline = 9 digits (2 + 8). Provincial = 9 digits (2 + 7).
- Confusing country codes: Don't mix up +63 (Philippines) with +61 (Australia) or +65 (Singapore).
- Forgetting the time difference: The Philippines is 13-16 hours ahead of the US. Morning calls from the US arrive at night in the Philippines.
Cheapest Ways to Call +63 Numbers
International calls to the Philippines are in high demand due to the large OFW population. Options include:
- VoIP Services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to the Philippines, often under $0.10/minute. Check our international calling rates.
- Messaging Apps: Facebook Messenger is popular in the Philippines. Viber is also widely used. Both offer free calls over WiFi/data.
- International Calling Plans: Many carriers offer Philippines-specific bundles. Check our guide on prepaid international calling plans.
- Calling Cards: Still popular for calling the Philippines, especially from the Middle East.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What country has the +63 country code?
The +63 country code is exclusively for the Philippines. Any call from a number starting with +63 originates from the Philippines.
How many digits is a Philippine phone number?
Philippine mobile numbers have 10 digits after +63 (starting with 9). Manila landlines have 9 digits (area code 2 + 8-digit number). Provincial landlines have 9 digits (2-digit area code + 7-digit number).
What is the area code for Manila?
The area code for Manila and Metro Manila is 2. For international calls, dial +63 2 followed by the 8-digit local number.
What is the area code for Cebu?
The area code for Cebu is 32. Internationally, dial +63 32 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call the Philippines from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +63 followed by the Philippine number (without the leading 0). From a landline, dial 011-63 then the number.
What time should I call the Philippines from the US?
The Philippines is 13 hours ahead of US Eastern Time. To reach someone during reasonable Philippine hours (9 AM - 9 PM), call between 8 PM - 8 AM EST the previous day.
Is +63 Philippines or Australia?
+63 is the country code for the Philippines. The country code for Australia is +61.
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