Area Code 77 – Kaohsiung
The phone area code for Kaohsiung is 77 (international format +88677). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Kaohsiung
Overview of Taiwan Area Code 77
Area code 77 is the geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to Kaohsiung City and its surrounding administrative regions in southern Taiwan. Under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan, the full country calling code for Taiwan is +886, so a complete international number for a fixed-line subscriber in Kaohsiung takes the format +886 7 XXXX XXX (note that the leading '0' of the national trunk prefix is dropped when dialing from abroad).
Geographic Coverage and Administration
The 77 code covers the entire Kaohsiung metropolitan area, including the former Kaohsiung County, which was merged into the special municipality in 2010. This encompasses major districts such as Lingya, Gushan, Cianjhen, Sanmin, and the port area, as well as outlying administrative zones like Ciaotou, Gangshan, and Fongshan. The code is administered by the National Communications Commission (NCC) of Taiwan and is allocated exclusively to fixed-line PSTN services, though some VoIP providers may also use it for numbers that require geographic presence.
Dialing Formats and Instructions
For local callers within Kaohsiung, the national trunk prefix '0' is used, followed by the area code and subscriber number: 07 XXXX XXX. When calling from another city in Taiwan, the same format applies: 07 XXXX XXX. For international callers, the format is +886 7 XXXX XXX (or 011 886 7 XXXX XXX when dialing from North America). Subscriber numbers in Kaohsiung are typically seven digits long, making the total national number length 9 digits (0 + area code + subscriber number).
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
Unlike some metropolitan areas that have introduced overlay codes, Kaohsiung currently uses a single area code (77) without an overlay. This means that local calls within the same area code do not require the area code to be dialed, but for clarity and to avoid confusion, it is recommended to always include the area code when dialing from mobile phones. Number portability is available for fixed-line services, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching providers, but the geographic significance of the code remains tied to the physical location of the line.
Practical Tips for Callers
When calling a Kaohsiung number from abroad, always replace the leading '0' of the national format with the international access code and Taiwan's country code. For example, a local number 07 1234 567 becomes +886 7 1234 567. Ensure that you have the correct number of digits; if the subscriber number is shorter than seven digits, it may be an older line, but most numbers have been standardized to seven digits. For businesses, it is advisable to display numbers in international format on websites and marketing materials to facilitate global communication.