You're staring at your phone screen. A missed call notification just popped up, and it starts with a +63. Maybe you’re expecting a call from a virtual assistant, or perhaps a relative who recently moved overseas. Or, let’s be real, maybe you’re just worried it’s another scammer trying to sell you insurance you don’t need. Either way, you need to know what country code is 63 on a phone number before you hit that green "dial" button.
The answer is the Philippines.
It's that simple. If you see +63, you are looking at a number registered in the Philippine archipelago. But knowing the country is only half the battle. If you actually want to get through to someone in Manila, Cebu, or Davao, there are a few quirks about their telecom system that can be a massive headache if you don’t know the secret handshake.
Why the Philippines Uses +63
Every country has a unique identifier assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It’s basically the digital equivalent of a zip code for the entire planet. While the US and Canada hog the +1 code, the Philippines was assigned 63.
It’s a busy prefix.
With over 110 million people spread across more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is one of the most "connected" nations on earth, at least when it comes to mobile phone usage. In fact, for years, it was dubbed the "Texting Capital of the World." Even now, with data-heavy apps like Messenger and WhatsApp taking over, the +63 prefix remains the backbone of their communication.
How to Actually Dial a +63 Number Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re calling from the United States or the UK, you can’t just type 63 and then the number. You have to tell your phone "Hey, I'm making an international call now."
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Most people use the plus (+) sign on their smartphones. You just hold down the '0' key until the plus appears, then type 63. But if you’re on an old-school landline (if those even still exist in your house), you’ll need the International Access Code. In the US, that’s 011. So you’d dial 011-63-and so on.
Here is the part where everyone messes up.
Most Philippine mobile numbers start with a 0. For example, 0917-XXX-XXXX. When you add the +63, you must drop that first zero. If you dial +63 0917, the call will fail. It just won't go through. It’ll probably give you a busy signal or a weird recording in Tagalog that you won't understand.
The correct format is +63 917 XXX XXXX.
Local Area Codes vs. Mobile Prefixes
It gets a little more complicated when you’re calling a landline. Mobile numbers in the Philippines don’t really care where the person is physically standing. Whether they are in the mountains of Baguio or the beaches of Palawan, a Globe or Smart SIM card keeps the same prefix.
Landlines are different.
If you are calling a business in Manila, you’ll need the area code 2. So the full string would be +63 2 XXXX XXXX. Notice something weird there? Manila landline numbers were recently migrated to an 8-digit format. If you find an old business card with a 7-digit number, it probably won't work unless you add an '8' at the beginning. It's these little details that make international calling feel like a puzzle.
The Massive Rise of +63 in Business and Outsourcing
If you’ve never been to Southeast Asia but you’re seeing what country code is 63 on a phone number on your caller ID, there’s a high chance it’s business-related.
The Philippines is the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) powerhouse of the world.
From customer support for major Silicon Valley tech giants to bookkeeping for small businesses in Australia, a huge portion of the global workforce is sitting in offices in places like Makati or Bonifacio Global City. Often, these companies use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to mask their caller ID with a local US or UK number. But sometimes, especially with smaller outfits or independent freelancers, the raw +63 number slips through.
If you’re a business owner and you see this code, it might be your remote team trying to reach you.
Staying Safe: Is +63 a Scam Code?
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Scams.
Because the Philippines has such a massive population of English speakers and a highly developed tech infrastructure, it has also (unfortunately) become a hub for certain types of phone-based fraud.
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You might get a "One-Ring" call from a +63 number. This is where the phone rings once and cuts off. The goal is to get you curious enough to call back. Once you do, you’re connected to a high-toll international line that charges you a ridiculous amount of money per minute.
Then there are the "Wangiri" scams or SMS phishing (smishing). If you get a text from a +63 number claiming you’ve won a raffle you never entered, or saying there’s a problem with a "package delivery" from a company you didn't order from, delete it immediately. Don't click the links.
How to tell if it's legit
Honestly, unless you have a specific reason to be receiving a call from the Philippines—like a Filipino friend, a business partner, or a remote employee—you should probably be cautious. Most legitimate companies in the Philippines that deal with international clients will use professional tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or Slack rather than just cold-calling your personal cell from a +63 number.
Common Prefixes You’ll See
The mobile market in the Philippines is dominated by two or three major players. You can often tell which network someone is on by the first few digits after the +63.
- 917 or 905: Usually Globe Telecom.
- 918 or 919: Usually Smart Communications.
- 922 or 923: Usually Sun Cellular (which is now part of Smart).
There are dozens of these prefixes now, so it’s hard to keep track, but if you see those, it’s a standard mobile subscriber.
WhatsApp and Viber Culture
If you're trying to reach someone with a +63 number, don't just call them directly. It's expensive for both of you.
Virtually everyone in the Philippines uses Viber or WhatsApp. Because of the high cost of traditional international calling and the historical "load" system (prepaid credits) used in the country, data-based messaging is the standard.
Even the local government offices and small corner stores (Sari-sari stores) often have a mobile number linked to a messaging app. If you have the +63 number saved in your contacts, just refresh your WhatsApp list. They will likely pop up. It saves you money and, frankly, the call quality is usually much better than a standard trans-Pacific copper-line connection.
Time Zones Matter
Before you dial that +63 number, check your watch. The Philippines is in the GMT+8 time zone. They don’t do Daylight Savings Time. Ever.
If it’s 10:00 AM in New York on a Tuesday, it’s 11:00 PM on a Tuesday in Manila.
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If it's 10:00 AM in London, it's 6:00 PM in Manila.
I’ve seen dozens of business deals go south because someone in Chicago decided to call their Philippine partner at 2:00 PM, forgetting it was 3:00 AM in Davao. People generally don't appreciate being woken up by a +1 number in the middle of the night unless the building is on home.
The Cost of Calling +63
Calling the Philippines isn't cheap if you do it through your standard carrier.
Major US carriers like Verizon or AT&T might charge you upwards of $2.00 or $3.00 per minute. That’s insane. Even "International Plans" often have the Philippines in a higher-tier bracket.
If you must make a "real" phone call to a landline or a mobile number that isn't on an app, use a service like Skype, Rebtel, or even Google Voice. You can usually get the rate down to about $0.12 to $0.15 per minute. It’s still not free, but it won't break the bank.
Real World Example: The "Missing Zero" Headache
Let’s look at a quick case study of how this goes wrong.
A friend of mine, Sarah, was trying to call a hotel in Boracay to confirm a reservation. The website listed the number as 036-288-1234.
She tried dialing +63-036-288-1234. Nothing.
She tried 011-63-036-288-1234. Nothing.
She was getting frantic. She thought the hotel didn't exist. I told her to remove the 0 after the 63. She dialed +63-36-288-1234 and it picked up on the first ring.
That "0" is for domestic calls only. It’s a "trunk prefix." When you're calling from outside the country, the +63 takes the place of that 0. Remember that, and you’ll save yourself hours of frustration.
Actionable Steps for Dealing with +63 Numbers
If you are dealing with a +63 number right now, here is exactly what you should do:
- Identify the Source: If you don't know anyone in the Philippines, be wary. If you have a freelancer or V.A. there, it’s likely them.
- Format Correcting: Ensure you have dropped the leading zero. The format should be +63 followed by 10 digits for mobile, or +63 followed by the area code and 7-8 digits for landlines.
- Use Data First: Try adding the number to your contacts and reaching out via WhatsApp or Viber before making a direct voice call. It's the "polite" way to do it in Philippine digital culture.
- Check the Time: Search "Time in Manila" on Google before you call. Don't be the person who wakes up the whole house at 4:00 AM.
- Verify Landline Changes: If calling a Manila landline (area code 2) and the number is 7 digits, add an 8 at the beginning.
The +63 country code represents a vibrant, tech-savvy, and incredibly communicative nation. Whether you're calling for business or catching up with family, understanding these technical hurdles makes the 8,000-mile digital journey a lot smoother.
Just remember: drop the zero, check the clock, and maybe stick to WhatsApp.