What Is a Calling Prefix? International Dialing Codes
A calling prefix (country code) is the number you dial at the beginning of an international phone number to route the call to the right country. +86 is China, +44 is the United Kingdom, +1 is the US and Canada.
How AKITAKI uses it
AKITAKI lets you set a default country-code prefix in your profile. Numbers you type without a leading "+" get your default prefix automatically — so "138 1234 5678" becomes "+86 138 1234 5678" if your default is China. This is especially useful for importers, sourcers, and anyone calling the same country repeatedly. Browse calling prefixes by country →
Common country codes
| Country | Calling prefix | Example format |
|---|---|---|
| China | +86 | +86 138 xxxx xxxx |
| India | +91 | +91 98xxx xxxxx |
| Vietnam | +84 | +84 9x xxx xxxx |
| Turkey | +90 | +90 5xx xxx xx xx |
| United Kingdom | +44 | +44 7xxx xxx xxx |
| United States / Canada | +1 | +1 (212) 555-1234 |
| Germany | +49 | +49 151 xxxx xxxx |
| Bangladesh | +880 | +880 1xxx xxxxxx |
| Indonesia | +62 | +62 8xx xxxx xxxx |
| Japan | +81 | +81 90-xxxx-xxxx |
How calling prefixes work
When you dial a number with a "+" sign — like "+86 138 1234 5678" — the plus sign replaces the international exit code your country uses. The exit code differs by country: 00 in most of Europe and Asia, 011 in the US and Canada. The phone system reads the "+" and converts it to your local exit code automatically. Then the calling prefix routes the call to the correct country. AKITAKI's dial pad handles this automatically — just type the number as you know it, with or without a leading "+".
Why calling prefixes matter for billing
The calling prefix determines which country your call reaches, and different countries have different per-minute rates. Calling China (+86) costs approximately $0.06/min, while calling the United Kingdom (+44) costs approximately $0.02/min. The prefix also determines whether you reach a mobile or landline network — within the same country, mobile prefixes often cost more than landline prefixes due to higher termination fees. AKITAKI shows the exact rate for the specific prefix you dialed before the call connects.
What happens if you forget the prefix
If you enter a number without a country prefix, AKITAKI applies your default country code from your profile settings. Set your default to +86 (China), +44 (UK), or whichever country you call most, and your numbers will automatically receive the right prefix. No need to retype it every time — a friction-reducer that Yadaphone reviewers specifically flagged as missing in competing services.