Pennsylvania has 15 active area codes serving its major cities and communities across the entire state. The entire Commonwealth operates in the Eastern Time Zone, making scheduling calls straightforward. Whether you need to identify an unknown caller, plan business communications, or coordinate meetings across Pennsylvania regions, this guide provides complete information about every area code currently in use.
Key Takeaways:
- Pennsylvania has 15 active area codes divided into 7 geographic numbering plan areas
- The entire state operates in the Eastern Time Zone (EST/EDT)
- 10-digit dialing is mandatory statewide for all calls, including local calls
- The original 4 area codes from 1947 were 215, 412, 717, and 814
- The newest area code is 835, activated in September 2022 as a Lehigh Valley overlay
- All regions now have overlay codes, meaning multiple area codes serve the same geographic area
Pennsylvania Area Codes
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215 | Philadelphia | Eastern | Original | 1947 |
| 267 | Philadelphia | Eastern | Overlay | 1997 |
| 272 | Scranton, Wilkes-Barre | Eastern | Overlay | 2014 |
| 223 | Harrisburg, Lancaster, York | Eastern | Overlay | 2017 |
| 412 | Pittsburgh | Eastern | Original | 1947 |
| 445 | Philadelphia | Eastern | Overlay | 2018 |
| 484 | Allentown, Reading | Eastern | Overlay | 1999 |
| 570 | Scranton, Wilkes-Barre | Eastern | Split | 1998 |
| 582 | Erie, State College | Eastern | Overlay | 2020 |
| 610 | Allentown, Reading | Eastern | Split | 1994 |
| 717 | Harrisburg, Lancaster, York | Eastern | Original | 1947 |
| 724 | New Castle, Greensburg | Eastern | Split | 1998 |
| 814 | Erie, State College | Eastern | Original | 1947 |
| 835 | Allentown, Reading | Eastern | Overlay | 2022 |
| 878 | Pittsburgh region | Eastern | Overlay | 2001 |
Southeastern Pennsylvania (6 codes)
Area Code 215: Historic Philadelphia
Area code 215 serves Philadelphia and its immediate suburbs, covering parts of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. This is one of Pennsylvania’s original four area codes established in 1947.
As one of the original 86 area codes created nationwide, 215 initially covered the entire southeastern portion of Pennsylvania. Due to rapid population growth and mobile phone adoption, it was the first Pennsylvania area code to require relief measures.
Today, 215 operates as part of a three-way overlay complex with 267 and 445. The area serves over 1.5 million residents in the Philadelphia metropolitan core, including Center City, North Philadelphia, and close-in suburbs.
Area Code 267: First Philadelphia Overlay
Introduced in 1997, area code 267 became Pennsylvania’s first overlay area code. This approach was chosen to avoid the disruption of splitting Philadelphia into separate regions.
The 267 overlay serves the exact same geographic area as 215, covering Philadelphia and nearby communities. All new numbers in this region may be assigned either 215 or 267.
Area Code 445: Second Philadelphia Overlay
By 2018, the 215/267 combination faced exhaustion due to continued growth in the Philadelphia region. Area code 445 was implemented as a second overlay to extend the numbering capacity.
All three codes (215, 267, 445) now serve Philadelphia equally. Businesses and residents receive number assignments based on availability across all three codes.
Western Pennsylvania (3 codes)
Area Code 412: Pittsburgh Core
Area code 412 serves Pittsburgh and its inner-ring suburbs, including Allegheny County communities such as Mount Lebanon, Bethel Park, and McKeesport. Established in 1947, it originally covered all of western Pennsylvania.
The 412 area underwent a split in 1998 when area code 724 was created to serve surrounding counties. Later, in 2001, the 878 overlay was added to both regions, creating a unique three-way relationship between 412, 724, and 878.
Area Code 724: Pittsburgh Suburbs and Beyond
Created in 1998, area code 724 serves areas north, south, and east of Pittsburgh, including Westmoreland County, Butler County, Washington County, and parts of Armstrong, Beaver, and Lawrence counties. Major cities include New Castle, Greensburg, and Uniontown.
The 724 region includes important suburban and exurban communities that experienced significant growth in the 1990s, necessitating the split from 412.
Area Code 878: Western Pennsylvania Overlay
Area code 878 was implemented in 2001 as an overlay serving both the 412 and 724 regions. This unusual approach unified the numbering plan for western Pennsylvania after the previous split.
The 412/724/878 region encompasses major healthcare institutions, universities, technology companies, and manufacturing facilities that drive Pittsburgh’s economic renaissance.
Central Pennsylvania (2 codes)
Area Code 717: Harrisburg and Lancaster
Area code 717 is one of the original 1947 codes, serving central Pennsylvania including Harrisburg (the state capital), Lancaster, York, and Lebanon. The region extends from the Susquehanna River valley to the Maryland border.
This region hosts Pennsylvania’s state government operations, the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, Hershey entertainment venues, and thriving agricultural and manufacturing sectors in Lancaster and York counties.
Area Code 223: Central Pennsylvania Overlay
Introduced in 2017, area code 223 serves as an overlay to 717 throughout central Pennsylvania. The overlay was necessary as 717 approached exhaustion after 70 years of service.
Northeastern Pennsylvania (2 codes)
Area Code 570: Scranton and Wilkes-Barre
Created in 1998 as a split from 717, area code 570 serves northeastern Pennsylvania including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and the Pocono Mountains region. It covers Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, and surrounding counties.
The 570 region encompasses the former anthracite coal mining areas, now diversified with healthcare, education, tourism, and distribution centers taking advantage of the region’s strategic location between New York and Philadelphia.
Area Code 272: Northeast Pennsylvania Overlay
Area code 272 was activated in 2014 as an overlay to 570. The addition extended numbering resources for the growing northeastern region, particularly the Pocono Mountains area experiencing residential and commercial development.
Northwestern Pennsylvania (2 codes)
Area Code 814: Erie and State College
As one of the original 1947 area codes, 814 serves northwestern and north-central Pennsylvania, stretching from Lake Erie south to Johnstown and east to State College. It covers Erie, Centre, Blair, Cambria, and numerous other counties, making it Pennsylvania’s largest area code by geographic size.
Key cities include Erie (Pennsylvania’s fourth-largest city), State College (home to Penn State University), Altoona, Johnstown, and DuBois. The region features diverse industries from Great Lakes shipping to higher education and manufacturing.
Area Code 582: Northwest Pennsylvania Overlay
Area code 582 was implemented in 2020 to address number exhaustion in the 814 region. The large geographic area and growth at Penn State University contributed to increased demand for phone numbers.
Today, both 814 and 582 serve the entire northwestern region equally, with new number assignments distributed across both codes.
Understanding Time Zones in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania operates entirely within the Eastern Time Zone (ET), making it one of the simpler states for scheduling calls and meetings. Unlike neighboring states such as Indiana or Ohio, Pennsylvania has no time zone boundaries within its borders.
UTC Offset and DST
Pennsylvania observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) during winter months and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) during summer months. Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Scheduling Across Regions
Since all Pennsylvania area codes operate in the same time zone, scheduling calls across the state is straightforward. When coordinating with other states or international contacts, Pennsylvania aligns with major East Coast cities like New York, Washington DC, and Atlanta.
Pennsylvania Cities and Their Area Codes
Here are Pennsylvania’s largest cities and their associated area codes:
- Philadelphia – 215, 267, 445 (Population: ~1.6 million)
- Pittsburgh – 412, 878 (Population: ~300,000)
- Allentown – 610, 484, 835 (Population: ~125,000)
- Reading – 610, 484, 835 (Population: ~95,000)
- Erie – 814, 582 (Population: ~94,000)
- Scranton – 570, 272 (Population: ~76,000)
- Bethlehem – 610, 484, 835 (Population: ~76,000)
- Lancaster – 717, 223 (Population: ~58,000)
- Harrisburg – 717, 223 (Population: ~50,000)
- Altoona – 814, 582 (Population: ~43,000)
- York – 717, 223 (Population: ~44,000)
- State College – 814, 582 (Population: ~42,000)
- Wilkes-Barre – 570, 272 (Population: ~41,000)
- Chester – 610, 484, 835 (Population: ~33,000)
- Easton – 610, 484, 835 (Population: ~27,000)
How to Use Area Codes in Pennsylvania
Local Calling Requirements
Pennsylvania requires 10-digit dialing for all calls, including local calls within the same area code. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number, but you do not need to dial “1” before the area code for local calls.
Calling from Outside Pennsylvania
When calling Pennsylvania from elsewhere in the United States, dial 1 + area code + seven-digit number. For international calls to Pennsylvania, dial your country’s exit code, then 1 (US country code), followed by the area code and phone number.