A telephone card, calling card or phone card for short, is a small card, usually resembling a credit card, used to pay for telephone services. Such cards can either employ prepaid credit system or credit card style system of credit.

The exact system for payment, and the way in which the card is used to place a phone call, depend on the overall telecommunication system. Currently, the most common types of telephone cards involve pre-paid credit in which the card is purchased with a specific balance, from which the cost of calls made is deducted.

Pre-paid phone cards are disposable. When the balance is exhausted you simply buy a new card. Cards purchased online can often be refilled. The other main type of card involves a card with a special pin number printed on it that allows one to charge calls to a land-line telephone account.

When researching phone cards find out if there are any hidden charges. For example one card will charge you each time you connect, whether or not the call goes through. Also find out if they charge you if you are disconnected within the first couple minutes, some cards won't charge you if you are disconnected within 60 seconds.