Discover Area Codes Instantly

A telephone area code is a three-digit number that identifies a specific geographic region within the North American Numbering Plan. It's the first three digits you dial when making a long-distance call within the US, Canada, and participating Caribbean nations.

For example, in the phone number (312) 555-0123, the "312" is the area code for Chicago, Illinois. These codes help route calls efficiently across the telecommunications network and indicate the general location of a phone number.

Simply enter the city name in the search bar above. Our database includes over 80 major metropolitan areas and will display all area codes serving that location. For example, searching "Miami" will show you codes 305 and 786.

Keep in mind that larger cities often have multiple area codes due to population growth and increased demand for phone numbers. Some cities may share codes with surrounding suburbs or have overlay codes that serve the same geographic area.

Multiple area codes exist in regions where the demand for phone numbers has exceeded the capacity of a single code. Each area code can support approximately 7.9 million phone numbers, and high-population areas quickly exhaust this supply.

When this happens, telecommunications authorities implement either:

• Geographic splits: Dividing a region into smaller zones, each with its own code
• Overlay codes: Adding a new code that covers the same geographic area as the existing one

Overlays have become more common because they don't require existing customers to change their phone numbers.

Not reliably. While area codes indicate the region where a number was originally assigned, they don't necessarily reflect where the current user is located. With phone number portability, people can keep their numbers when moving to different states or switching carriers.

Additionally, many businesses use numbers with area codes from different regions for marketing purposes, and mobile phones can be used anywhere regardless of their area code. The code provides a general geographic reference but shouldn't be relied upon for precise location information.

Area codes and zip codes serve completely different purposes and are managed by different organizations:

Area codes are part of the telephone numbering system, managed by telecommunications authorities. They identify telephone service regions and can cover large metropolitan areas or entire states.

Zip codes are postal codes used by the United States Postal Service to identify specific geographic areas for mail delivery. They're typically more precise than area codes and focus on mail routing rather than telecommunications.

A single area code often encompasses hundreds of different zip codes, and vice versa.

Technically yes, but they function differently. Toll-free codes like 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, and 888 are part of the numbering system but aren't tied to geographic locations. Instead, they allow callers to reach businesses without incurring long-distance charges.

These numbers are portable and can be routed to any physical location. A business with an 800 number in one state can easily redirect calls to offices in another state without changing the number.

New codes are introduced as needed, typically every few years in high-growth areas. The rate varies significantly based on population growth, business expansion, and the proliferation of mobile devices and IoT connections.

Recent additions include code 235 in Missouri (2024) and code 659 in Alabama (2023). The North American Numbering Plan Administrator continuously monitors number availability and plans for future needs, sometimes announcing new codes several years before they're activated to allow adequate preparation time.

It depends on your location. In areas with overlay codes, 10-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) is mandatory for all calls, even local ones. This requirement ensures proper call routing when multiple codes serve the same area.

In regions with only one area code and no overlays, you may still be able to dial just seven digits for local calls. However, many areas have transitioned to mandatory 10-digit dialing, especially as the national 988 suicide prevention hotline was implemented in 2022.

When in doubt, dialing the full 10 digits always works.

When number exhaustion is projected within a few years, the regulatory authority implements a relief plan. This typically involves introducing a new area code through either a split or an overlay.

The planning process begins years in advance and includes public input periods, carrier notifications, and extensive public awareness campaigns. Existing customers never lose their numbers during this process—they simply need to update their dialing habits if an overlay is implemented.

Within certain limitations, yes. When obtaining a new phone number, businesses can typically request numbers with specific area codes from their telecommunications provider, subject to availability.

Many businesses choose local area codes to establish a community presence, while others prefer toll-free numbers for national reach. Some companies strategically select codes from major metropolitan areas even if they're physically located elsewhere, as certain area codes carry prestige or recognition value.

Number portability also allows businesses to keep their existing numbers when switching providers or relocating.

Yes, several three-digit combinations are reserved or not used as area codes:

• N11 codes (like 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, 811, 911) are reserved for special services
• N9X codes (where the middle digit is 9) were traditionally avoided but some have been introduced in recent years
• Codes starting with 0 or 1 are not used for area codes
• Some codes are reserved for future use or specific purposes like testing

The North American Numbering Plan carefully manages which codes can be assigned to ensure the system remains organized and functional.

Our database is sourced from official telecommunications records and is updated regularly to reflect the latest changes. As of October 2025, we maintain information on all 365 active area codes in the United States, plus codes for US territories.

We monitor announcements from the North American Numbering Plan Administrator and state public utility commissions to ensure accuracy. However, telecommunications systems are complex and dynamic, so we recommend verifying critical information directly with your phone service provider when necessary.