Prefixyr.com
Taiwan ☎️ Landline / Geographic

Area Code 42 – Taichung/Changhua

The phone area code for Taichung/Changhua is 42 (international format +88642). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.

Current Local Time
03:35:26
UTC • UTC +00:00
Full Dialing Format
+88642
Population 226,564
👥
Admin Region Taiwan
🗺️
Elevation 60m
🏔️
GPS Coordinates 24.0733, 120.5628
📍

📍 Geographic Location of Taichung/Changhua

Overview of Taiwan Area Code 42

Area code 42 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Taiwanese numbering plan, serving the central-western region of the island, primarily the special municipality of Taichung and the surrounding counties of Changhua and Nantou. This code is assigned to fixed-line PSTN services, including traditional copper lines and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) VoIP services that are geographically anchored to the region.

When dialing a fixed-line number in this area from abroad, the international format is +886 4 XXXX XXXX (where the leading '2' of the local area code is included after the country code). Within Taiwan, callers must dial the full 9-digit number starting with 04, e.g., 04 2XXX XXXX. The local number length is 8 digits after the trunk prefix '0' and the area code '4'.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 42 code covers the entire Taichung metropolitan area, including districts such as Xitun, Nantun, Beitun, and the former Taichung County areas like Fengyuan, Dali, and Taiping. It also extends to Changhua County (including Changhua City and Yuanlin) and parts of Nantou County (including Nantou City and Puli). This makes it one of the most populous numbering areas in Taiwan, with a high density of businesses, government offices, and residential lines.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

  • Local calls (within Taiwan): Dial 04 followed by the 8-digit subscriber number. For example, to call a Taichung landline, dial 04 2233 4455.
  • International calls from abroad: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), then 886, then 4, then the 8-digit subscriber number. For example, +886 4 2233 4455.
  • Overlay considerations: Taiwan does not use overlay codes for fixed-line services; each geographic area has a unique NDC. However, number portability allows subscribers to retain their number when moving between operators within the same geographic area.

For callers within Taiwan, the trunk prefix '0' is mandatory when dialing from a different area code. For example, a caller in Taipei must dial 04 2233 4455 to reach a Taichung number. Mobile callers can dial the same format.

Technical Notes

The 42 code is part of the E.164 international numbering plan and is administered by the National Communications Commission (NCC) of Taiwan. It is a geographic code, meaning that the number is tied to a physical location, which is important for emergency services (110/119) and for regulatory purposes such as caller location identification.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What cities are covered by Taiwan area code 42?
Area code 42 covers the central-western region of Taiwan, including the entire Taichung special municipality, Changhua County, and parts of Nantou County. Major cities include Taichung City, Changhua City, and Nantou City.
How do I dial a Taichung landline from the United States?
From the US, dial the international exit code 011, then Taiwan's country code 886, then area code 4 (drop the leading 0), and then the 8-digit local number. For example, 011 886 4 2233 4455.
Is area code 42 used for mobile phones?
No, area code 42 is exclusively for fixed-line (landline) services. Mobile numbers in Taiwan begin with 09 and are non-geographic.
Do I need to dial '04' when calling a Taichung number from a mobile phone within Taiwan?
Yes, when calling a fixed-line number in the 42 area from any phone within Taiwan, you must dial the trunk prefix 0 and the area code 4, followed by the 8-digit subscriber number. The full number is 04 XXXX XXXX.
Can I keep my Taichung landline number if I move to another city?
No, area code 42 is geographic, so the number is tied to the Taichung/Changhua region. If you move outside this area, you will typically need to obtain a new number with the local area code, unless you are using a VoIP service that allows number portability, but fixed-line geographic numbers are not portable across different NDC areas.