The Ultimate Guide To Area Code 63: Unmasking The Philippines’ International Dialing Code And The Crucial 8-Digit Update

The term "Area Code 63" is a common source of confusion for international callers and text message recipients, but it is fundamentally a misnomer. As of December 15, 2025, the number 63 is not a local area code for a specific city or region within a country; instead, it is the official International Country Calling Code for the Republic of the Philippines. This critical distinction is the first step in correctly dialing a number to one of the world's most dynamic and populous archipelagic nations in Southeast Asia.

Understanding the use of +63 is vital not only for successful international communication but also for recognizing potential scam calls or texts, which frequently originate from numbers using this country code. This guide provides the most up-to-date information on the Philippines' dialing format, including the major 2019 update that permanently changed how millions of landlines are reached, ensuring your calls connect every time.

The Philippines' International Dialing Code: +63 Explained

The code +63 is the universal identifier assigned to the Philippines by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T). Whenever you see a phone number starting with +63, it immediately signifies that the call or message is originating from or destined for the Philippines. This code must always be used when calling a Philippine number from any other country.

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The Correct Dialing Formula: From Abroad to the Philippines

Calling the Philippines requires a specific sequence of numbers. Unlike a simple local call, an international connection needs an exit code, the country code, the local area code, and finally, the subscriber's number.

• Step 1: The International Exit Code (IDD)

  This code signals to your local phone carrier that you are making an international call. For callers in the United States or Canada, this is typically 011. Other countries have different exit codes (e.g., 00 for many European and Asian countries). Alternatively, you can often use the plus sign (+) before the country code, which most modern mobile phones automatically interpret as the correct exit code.

• Step 2: The Philippines Country Code

  Dial 63.

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• Step 3: The Local Area Code

  Dial the specific area code for the region you are trying to reach (usually 2 to 3 digits). Crucially, you must drop the leading zero (0) that is often used when making domestic long-distance calls within the Philippines.

• Step 4: The Local Subscriber Number

  Dial the remaining local number, which can be 7 or 8 digits, depending on the area code.

The Full Format: (Your Country's Exit Code) + 63 + (Area Code without 0) + (Local Number)

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Example (Calling Metro Manila from the US): 011 + 63 + 2 + [8-Digit Local Number]

The Crucial 8-Digit Number Update for Metro Manila (Area Code 2)

One of the most significant and recent changes to the Philippines' numbering plan—and a critical piece of current information—is the migration of all landline numbers in the Greater Metro Manila area from 7 digits to 8 digits. This update, mandated by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and implemented in October 2019, is essential for anyone calling the nation's capital region.

The change was necessary to accommodate the rapidly growing number of subscribers in the country's most densely populated economic hub. If you are calling a landline in Metro Manila (Area Code 2) and have an old 7-digit number, your call will not connect unless you add the new required digit.

How the Metro Manila Numbering Changed

The new 8-digit number format for Area Code 2 requires adding a specific prefix digit based on the telephone provider.

• PLDT: Add the number 8 before the existing 7-digit number. (e.g., +63 2 8xxx xxxx)
• Globe Telecom/Innove: Add the number 7 before the existing 7-digit number.
• Bayan Telecommunications: Add the number 3 before the existing 7-digit number.

This update applies to all cities and municipalities within the Area Code 2 jurisdiction, including Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Pasig, Caloocan, and parts of Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna.

Key Philippines Area Codes (The Codes That Follow +63)

While +63 is the country code, the Philippines uses a vast network of 2- to 4-digit area codes for its provinces and cities. These codes are essential for directing your call to the correct geographic location after the international code is dialed. Here is a list of some of the most frequently called area codes (Area Code XXX) that follow the +63 country code:

Mobile Numbers and Scam Warnings Associated with +63

The Philippines also has a robust mobile phone network, which uses a 10-digit format. When calling a mobile phone, the area code is replaced by a 3-digit mobile network code (e.g., 917, 918, 922, 998).

The format for calling a mobile number from abroad is: (Your Country's Exit Code) + 63 + (3-Digit Mobile Network Code) + (7-Digit Mobile Number).

The Rise of +63 Scams

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of international calls and texts originating from the Philippines, the +63 country code has become frequently associated with various text and call scams globally. These often include fake job offers, lottery winnings, or urgent requests for personal information (phishing).

If you receive an unsolicited text message from a number starting with +63, particularly one that promises money or asks you to click a suspicious link, it is highly advisable to block the number and not respond. This is a common tactic used by scammers to engage potential victims.

Summary of Key Entities and Takeaways

To summarize the complex system of dialing the Philippines, remember that "Area Code 63" is your gateway to a vast telecommunications network governed by the NTC and structured to serve millions of users across thousands of islands. Key entities and concepts to remember include:

• Country Code: +63 (The Philippines' international identifier).
• National Telecommunications Commission (NTC): The regulatory body overseeing the numbering plan.
• 8-Digit Migration: The mandatory update for all Area Code 2 (Metro Manila) landlines.
• Major Carriers: PLDT, Globe Telecom, Bayan Telecommunications.
• Exit Codes: 011 (USA/Canada), 00 (Europe/Asia), or the '+' sign.
• Internal Area Codes: Two- to four-digit prefixes (e.g., 2, 32, 45) that follow the +63 code.
• Scam Alert: Be wary of unsolicited messages from +63 numbers.

Whether you are calling family, conducting business, or simply trying to verify the legitimacy of an incoming call, having this updated knowledge of the +63 country code and the Philippines' current numbering plan is essential for secure and successful communication.