Area Code 43 – Taichung/Changhua

Overview of Area Code +886 43

Area code 43 is a geographic country calling code assigned to the central-western region of Taiwan, primarily covering the cities of Taichung and Changhua. This code is part of Taiwan's National Numbering Plan under ITU-T E.164, used for fixed-line (PSTN) services. It was introduced to accommodate the growing demand for telephone numbers in this densely populated area, which includes major industrial and commercial hubs.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +886 43 area code serves the Taichung metropolitan area (including districts such as Xitun, Nantun, Beitun, and the surrounding regions) and extends into Changhua County. Taichung is Taiwan's second-largest city and a central transportation hub, while Changhua is known for its agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The code is administered by the National Communications Commission (NCC) of Taiwan, which oversees numbering resources and ensures efficient allocation.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Taiwan, the area code is dialed with a leading 0 (trunk prefix), followed by the subscriber number. For example, to call a landline in Taichung, you would dial 04-XXXXXXX (where X represents the 7-digit local number). However, when dialing from abroad, you must use the international format: +886 4 XXXX XXX (or +886 43 XXXX XXX if the number starts with 43). Note that the leading '0' is omitted in international dialing.

For instance, if the local number is 04-3312-3456, an international caller would dial +886 4 3312 3456. If the number begins with the 43 prefix, such as 04-3312-3456 (which actually starts with 33), but for a number like 04-4312-3456, the international format would be +886 4 4312 3456. Always ensure you drop the trunk prefix '0' when calling from outside Taiwan.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Taiwan has implemented overlay plans in some regions to increase number capacity. In the Taichung/Changhua area, the 43 prefix may be used as an overlay for existing 4-area codes, meaning that local calls may require 10-digit dialing (including the area code) even for nearby numbers. As of the latest NCC guidelines, all fixed-line calls within Taiwan require the area code to be dialed, even for local calls, to support number portability and expanding subscriber bases. This change simplifies routing and ensures that new numbers can be assigned without exhausting existing prefixes.

Caller Instructions for Local and Foreign Callers

For local callers in Taiwan: dial the area code (with '0') followed by the subscriber number. For example, 04-4312-3456.

For international callers: dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), then Taiwan's country code 886, then the area code without the leading '0' (i.e., 4 or 43 if the number starts with 43), followed by the subscriber number. For example, +886 4 312 3456 or +886 43 123 456 (depending on the actual number length). Always verify the exact number length, as Taiwan's fixed-line numbers are typically 7 or 8 digits after the area code.