Philippines Phone Number Format: Mobile & Landline Codes

Trying to format a Philippines phone number but not sure if you’re doing it right?

I get it because I’ve done the same thing so many times. You open your contacts to save a number, then suddenly you pause and think whether you should add the country code of the Philippines +63 or just save it with 0. You don’t really know what’s right so you save it however you feel like. Later when you try to call or message, it doesn’t work.

That’s when you start doubting whether you saved it in the correct Philippines phone number format examples or not. It’s annoying and it wastes your time especially when you just want to quickly reach someone.

After going through all that confusion more than once, I finally figured out how it’s actually supposed to be done. And that’s why I’m writing this, so you don’t have to go through the same headache.

What is the Philippines Country Code? (+63 Explained)

The Philippines country code is +63, and it’s what you use when you’re calling or messaging someone in the Philippines from outside the country or even when you're using apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Viber that rely on international phone numbers, especially if you're operating across different time zones like Philippine Standard Time.

If you’re trying to save a number like 09171234567 (which is how we normally save local mobile numbers in the Philippines), you don’t use the 0 when you’re adding the 63 country code. You just replace that 0 with +63.

Without country code: 09171234567

With country code: +639171234567

That’s it. No need to add 00 or 011 or anything else before it, just cleanly switch the 0 with +63.

Now, why is this important?

Because the country code tells the system where the number is based. If you’re in another country or using international apps, the phone system needs that +63 to know you’re trying to reach the Philippines. Without it, the call or message often won’t go through, or it might try to connect you to a completely different country.

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What is the Standard Philippines Phone Number Format?

In the Philippines, every phone number format is structured, following an 11-digit format when used locally. A typical Philippines cell phone number always starts with a ‘0’ followed by a 3-digit network prefix and a 7-digit local subscriber number.

Local format structure:

0 + Network Code + 7-digit Number

Example: 0917 123 4567

This format is used when you’re dialing within the Philippines country, either for calls, SMS, or registering for local apps or services.

But when that same number is used on global platforms (like WhatsApp, Telegram, or international forms), you have to switch to the international format.

International format structure:

+63 + Network Code (without the 0) + 7-digit Number

Example: +63 917 123 4567

+63 is the official country code for the Philippines. And as we already discussed in the previous section, whenever you're dialing from abroad or saving contacts for global apps, that starting ‘0’ is dropped, and +63 takes its place.

If you ever feel confused between which version to use, just remember:

Use the 0 format for anything within the Philippines.

Use the +63 version for anything outside or app-related.

This switch in phone number components ensures your calls and messages connect properly across local and international platforms.

What is the Philippines Landline Number Format?

If you're dialing a landline number in the Philippines, here's what you need to know, it's actually pretty simple once you understand it.

First, every landline number consists of two parts:

• Area code – tells you which city or province the number is from.
• Local phone number format – is the 7-digit number of the person or business you're calling.

So, a full landline number looks like this:

(Area Code) + Local Number

For example, if you're calling someone in Metro Manila, which has the area code 02, their number might look like: (02) 8123 4567

Let me give you a few more real examples to help you get familiar with the kind of phone formats the Philippines offers, and if you're curious, I’ve also shared more area codes from different provinces in the upcoming sections.

(032) 345 6789 – Cebu area code

(082) 234 5678 – Davao area code

(074) 445 6677 – Baguio area code

No, if you're calling from outside the Philippines, just add the country code +63, and drop the 0 from the area code. So, for Metro Manila, you’d dial: +63 2 8123 4567

Or for Cebu:+63 32 345 6789

And, the reason why landlines in the Philippines have 7 digits is because it's the standard local number length across most regions. The area code followed by the receiver's number helps route your call to the right place.

I usually call a friend of mine in Davao using this exact format: + 63 2 XXXXXXXX, and it works perfectly every time.

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Complete List of Philippines Area Codes (Mobile & Landline)

If you're trying to call someone in the Philippines right now, this is the exact section you’ll need the most. I've taken the time to carefully collect and organize every landline and mobile area code in the Philippines in one place, so you don't have to go looking anywhere else. The correct phone number format ensures your call connects without issues.

Below, I’ve split the list into two easy-to-understand parts regarding phone prefixes and area codes.

First, you'll find the Philippines landline area codes arranged clearly in a table.

Then, I’ve added a complete guide to the mobile network area codes, including which company uses which code and what those companies actually do.

If you're unsure which code to dial before a number, don't worry, just go through this and you’ll be better equipped to navigate the Philippines market.

Landline Area Codes in the Philippines

The landline area codes are usually 1 to 2 digits long and come right after the country code (+63) when calling from outside the country. These local area codes are assigned to specific regions, cities, or provinces across the Philippines.

There are 17 administrative regions, divided into 81 provinces, and about 149 cities as of mid‑2024.

Here’s a full table that includes:

Mobile Network Area Codes in the Philippines

Phone numbers in the Philippines follow a format that starts with a 3-digit network prefix (like 917, 905, etc.) followed by a 7-digit number. So a correct phone number format will look like this: + 63 917 123 4567

Below is a table of mobile prefixes along with the service provider and a short explanation of each company, so you don’t get confused:

So, that’s the full list of landline and mobile followed by the area codes you’ll ever you need to get to the Philippines.

Now, no matter whether you're trying to call a friend in Manila, a business in Cebu, or a mobile number from outside the country, just follow everything I’ve given above for making calls in the Philippines. You won’t go wrong.

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Toll-free & Special Contact Number Format in Philippines

Okay, so now that you’ve got a grip on understanding the Philippines phone number system and the correct number format for both landline and mobile, let’s talk about toll free numbers and special numbers.

These numbers work a bit differently, and they’re made for specific purposes. If you don’t dial them the right way or misunderstand how they’re formatted, the call simply won’t go through or might even get charged unexpectedly.

Philippines Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-Free Numbers in the Philippines usually start with 1800. These numbers are used by companies, banks, customer care centers, and government offices, and they’re called “toll-free” because you don’t get charged when you call them (as long as you're calling from within the Philippines).

A typical phone number example for toll-free dialing looks like this:

1800-1-XXX-XXXX

1800-10-XXX-XXXX

1800-XXX-XXXX

How to dial a toll-free number in the Philippines?

Just dial it like this:

1800 + the rest of the number (usually 7 to 10 digits)

You don’t need to add +63 or any country code.

For example: 1800-1-234-5678

Toll-free numbers only work on specific networks. For example, you can usually call them from landlines, but many mobile networks may not support them, or you may still get charged depending on your telecom provider. The phone number format is crucial here. Even a small mistake might block the connection or apply unexpected charges.

So always check with your network provider if a toll-free call is really free from your SIM card, especially if you're calling from mobile.

Philippines Special Numbers

These are short numbers that are used for emergency services, government support, or telecom helpdesks. They don’t start with 1800 instead, they’re simple like 911, 8888, 143, etc.

These usually don’t follow the typical 11-digit or landline formats.

Here are some of the most common ones and what they’re used for:

Quick Recap: How to Format Any Philippines Phone Number Correctly

We’ve now gone through everything you need to know about the Philippines phone number format.

You saw how to dial phone numbers the right way, when to use “+63,” how mobile and landline numbers are different, and what all those area codes mean. We even covered special numbers like emergency hotlines and toll-free numbers. So, if you had any questions about how phone numbers work in the Philippines, they should all be clear by now.

I’ve also written more guides to help you with other number formats, and I’ve added all those links right here in this blog. So, feel free to check them out too.

Thanks a lot for reading! If this helped you, please share it with your friends.

I really hope this guide made the Philippines phone number format easy for you!