Area Code 72 – Kaohsiung
The phone area code for Kaohsiung is 72 (international format +88672). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Kaohsiung
Overview of Area Code +886 72
Area code 72 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's major southern metropolis and its largest port city. In the international E.164 format, the full number is written as +886 72 XXXX XXX (or +886 72 XXXX XXX for a total of 9 digits after the country code). This code is assigned to the geographic PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and is used for fixed-line services within the Kaohsiung administrative region.
Geographic Coverage and Jurisdiction
The 72 area code serves the entire Kaohsiung metropolitan area, including the former Kaohsiung County, which was merged into the special municipality in 2010. Key districts covered include Lingya, Gushan, Cianjhen, Sinsing, Sanmin, and the outlying industrial zones. The code is administered by the National Communications Commission (NCC) of Taiwan and is allocated to Chunghwa Telecom and other fixed-line operators.
Dialing Formats and Instructions
- Local calls (within Kaohsiung): Dial only the 8-digit subscriber number, e.g., XXXX XXXX. The area code is not required.
- Domestic long-distance calls (from other parts of Taiwan): Dial 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number: 0 72 XXXX XXXX.
- International calls (from outside Taiwan): 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 zero, and the subscriber number: +886 72 XXXX XXXX.
Overlays and Numbering Considerations
Currently, there is no overlay code for Kaohsiung; the 72 code is the sole geographic code for the region. However, due to number exhaustion, the NCC has introduced 10-digit dialing for mobile numbers (starting with 09) but fixed-line numbers remain 8 digits. When calling a Kaohsiung fixed line from a mobile phone, the same domestic format (0 72 XXXX XXXX) applies.
Caller Instructions
- Local callers: Simply dial the 8-digit number.
- Domestic callers outside Kaohsiung: Use the trunk prefix 0, then 72, then the number.
- International callers: Use the +886 72 format, omitting the trunk prefix 0.
Always verify the number length: after the area code, the subscriber number must be exactly 8 digits. If you receive a call from +886 72, it is a legitimate fixed-line call from the Kaohsiung area.