Area Code 404 – Taichung/Changhua

The +886 404 area code is a geographic prefix assigned to the Taichung and Changhua regions of Taiwan. It is part of the national numbering plan administered by the National Communications Commission (NCC) under the ITU-T E.164 standard. The 404 code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional copper lines and VoIP-based fixed services that are registered to a physical address within the covered areas.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 404 code covers the western-central part of Taiwan, including Taichung City (a special municipality) and Changhua County. Taichung is a major economic and cultural hub, while Changhua is known for its agricultural and industrial output. The code serves both urban and rural subscribers within these administrative divisions.

Dialing Formats

For local callers within Taiwan, the national significant number (NSN) for a 404 number is 9 digits, starting with the area code 404. The local format is 404-XXXXXX (where X represents the subscriber number). When dialing from a mobile phone within Taiwan, the same format is used. For international callers, the full international format is +886 404 XXXXXX (or 886-404-XXXXXX). The leading zero of the area code is dropped when adding the country code.

Overlay Considerations

Taiwan has implemented overlay codes in several regions to address numbering exhaustion. In the Taichung/Changhua area, the 404 code may coexist with other geographic codes (such as 4, 42, 43, etc.) that serve the same or overlapping areas. This means that local calls between different codes within the same region may require dialing the full area code, even for local calls, depending on the specific routing rules set by the NCC and telecom operators.

Caller Instructions

For local callers: When dialing a number with the 404 code from within the same region, you may need to include the area code if the call is between different exchange areas. For example, to call a number in Taichung from a landline in Changhua, dial 404-XXXXXX. For international callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US), then Taiwan's country code 886, followed by the area code 404 (without the leading zero) and the subscriber number. For example, from the US, dial 011-886-404-XXXXXX.

Number Portability and VoIP

Taiwan supports fixed-line number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their 404 number when switching service providers. Additionally, many businesses use VoIP services that present a 404 number, but the physical location may not be within the geographic area. However, for regulatory purposes, the number is still considered geographic.