Tuvalu Calling Code: +688
Complete guide to calling Tuvalu — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Tuvalu from Abroad
📞 Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +688 — the country calling code for Tuvalu
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Tuvalu Calling Code
Every country has a unique international dialing prefix; for Tuvalu it is +688. The ITU assigns these codes under recommendation E.164. Dial +688 after your country's exit code, then the local subscriber number. Tuvalu is in Oceania.
The first digits of any international number are its E.164 country code. Tuvalu uses +688, in Polynesia, so a call from anywhere else begins with an exit code, then +688, then the national number with its trunk prefix removed.
Where the +688 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +688 is assigned to Tuvalu, located in Polynesia, with the capital Funafuti. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Tuvalu from outside the country.
A number displayed as +688 … is in international format: +688 replaces the domestic trunk prefix. From abroad, always drop any leading 0 of the area code and dial +688 + area code + subscriber number.
Calling codes starting with 6 are part of the ITU's regional numbering plan for the area around Tuvalu, in Polynesia. When saving Tuvalu numbers internationally, write +688 followed by the area code without its leading 0 — this format works from every country.
Tuvalu Phone Number Formats
Numbers in Tuvalu use the standard E.164 pattern — +688, then the area code, then the subscriber number. The same layout applies to landlines and mobile phones:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +688 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +688 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Tuvalu: dial the local number directly
Closed numbering plans give every national number the same length; open plans let it vary and rely on a trunk prefix for routing. For a caller outside Tuvalu the distinction rarely matters, because the trunk 0 is dropped either way and +688 is dialed in its place. Tuvalu numbers follows the published pattern +688 XXXXX.
Time Zone in Tuvalu
Tuvalu runs on Pacific/Funafuti, which is UTC+12:00 UTC. Schedule international calls accordingly — a convenient time for you may be very early or very late there.
Use the UTC offset (UTC+12:00) to plan calls to Tuvalu. For most international callers, the practical rule is: schedule business-hour calls to Funafuti during the overlap between your working day and theirs.
Daylight saving time can shift Tuvalu's clock by one hour in summer. For time-critical calls, confirm the current UTC offset rather than relying on the standard value.
Best Time to Call Tuvalu
Business hours in Tuvalu run roughly 09:00–18:00 local time. Because Tuvalu sits at UTC+12:00, the window in which it is polite to call lands at a different hour for every caller. The table below converts Tuvalu's working day into your own clock — and shows the hours to avoid so you do not wake anyone up.
| If you are in | Call Tuvalu between | Avoid calling between |
|---|---|---|
| London | 21:00–06:00 | 11:00–19:00 |
| New York | 16:00–01:00 | 06:00–14:00 |
| Los Angeles | 13:00–22:00 | 03:00–11:00 |
| Sao Paulo | 18:00–03:00 | 08:00–16:00 |
| Dubai | 01:00–10:00 | 15:00–23:00 |
| Mumbai | 02:30–11:30 | 16:30–00:30 |
| Singapore | 05:00–14:00 | 19:00–03:00 |
| Sydney | 07:00–16:00 | 21:00–05:00 |
Times shown are standard time and ignore daylight saving, which shifts the clock by one hour in countries that observe it — around the clock change, add or subtract an hour from every figure above.
Emergency Numbers in Tuvalu
If you need urgent help while in Tuvalu, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Tuvalu.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 911 |
| Fire | 911 |
| Ambulance | 911 |
Example: Calling Tuvalu Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Tuvalu works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Tuvalu country code +688
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +688 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Tuvalu country code +688
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +688 [area code] [number], or +688 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
Leading zeros in domestic area codes are not dialed internationally. Write the number as +688 + area code (no leading 0) + subscriber number.
Calling Tuvalu from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. These are the ones most often used to reach Tuvalu (+688):
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 688 [local number] |
| New Zealand | 00 | 00 688 [local number] |
| United States | 011 | 011 688 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 688 [local number] |
| Philippines | 00 | 00 688 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 688 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 688 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 688 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +688 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Tuvalu?
The international calling code for Tuvalu is +688.
How do I call Tuvalu from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +688, then the local phone number.
How do I call Tuvalu from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +688, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +688 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Tuvalu?
If you're already in Tuvalu, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +688 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Tuvalu?
The capital of Tuvalu is Funafuti. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +688 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Tuvalu?
Police: 911, Fire: 911, Ambulance: 911. These numbers are only valid inside Tuvalu.
Is Tuvalu a country?
Yes — Tuvalu is a sovereign state, whose capital is Funafuti, and +688 is its international calling code.
Other Countries in Oceania
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Tuvalu from American Samoa or Guam works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +688, then the local number. Within Oceania, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.