New York Area Codes
New York has 22 active area codes serving millions of residents and businesses. From the historic 212 in Manhattan to newer overlays like 332 and 929, each code connects specific regions. Whether you’re identifying an unknown caller, setting up a business line, or verifying a phone number, this guide helps you understand the state’s telecommunications system.
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Complete List of New York Area Codes (Updated 2025)
New York uses 22 active codes across New York City, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. The North American Numbering Plan assigns these codes to manage the state’s growing telecommunications demand.
All 22 codes:
212, 315, 329, 332, 347, 363, 516, 518, 585, 607, 624, 631, 646, 680, 716, 718, 838, 845, 914, 917, 929, 934
Based on the latest NANPA and New York Public Service Commission updates.
NYC Area Codes by Borough
Manhattan operates with the prestigious 212, introduced in 1947 when the telephone numbering system began nationwide. Today, Manhattan residents and businesses use four codes: 212, 332, 646, and 917.
Where does 646 operate?
Code 646 serves Manhattan as an overlay to 212. When telephone companies exhausted available 212 numbers in 1999, they introduced 646 to provide additional phone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.
Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island share these codes:
- 718 (original borough code, 1984)
- 347 (overlay introduced, 1999)
- 929 (second overlay, 2011)
- 917 (mobile and citywide overlay)
The overlay system allows telephone companies to assign new phone numbers while preserving existing ones. This approach prevents the disruption that geographic splits would cause to businesses and residents.
Major Cities and Their Area Codes
Western New York:
- 716: Buffalo, Niagara Falls (serves Erie and Niagara counties)
- 585: Rochester (Monroe County and surrounding areas)
Capital Region:
- 518: Albany, Troy, Schenectady (overlay: 838)
Central and Southern Tier:
- 315: Syracuse (overlay: 680)
- 607: Binghamton, Ithaca, Elmira
Long Island:
- 516: Nassau County (western Long Island)
- 631: Suffolk County (eastern Long Island, overlay: 934)
Suburbs and Hudson Valley:
- 914: Westchester County
- 845: Hudson Valley, including Poughkeepsie and Newburgh
Each code identifies a specific geographic region. Telephone carriers use these identifiers to route calls efficiently and help businesses establish local presence in their target markets.
Understanding Area Code Overlays
An overlay occurs when telephone authorities assign multiple codes to the same geographic area. Unlike geographic splits (which divide regions into separate zones), overlays maintain existing boundaries while adding capacity.
How overlays work in New York:
- 332 overlays 212 in Manhattan
- 929 overlays 718 in outer boroughs
- 838 overlays 518 in Albany region
- 680 overlays 315 in Syracuse area
When an area code approaches exhaustion (typically when 75% of available numbers are assigned), the North American Numbering Plan Administrator works with state regulators to introduce relief. Overlays have become the preferred method because they don’t require customers to change existing phone numbers.
Result of overlays: All New York regions require 10-digit dialing. Callers must dial the full code plus seven-digit number, even for local calls within the same geographic area.
History of New York Area Codes (1947 to Present)
New York received some of the earliest telephone area codes when the North American Numbering Plan launched in 1947. The system organized phone numbers across the United States and Canada, replacing operator-assisted long-distance calling with direct dial service.
Original 1947 assignments:
- 212 for New York City
- 315 for Central region
- 716 for Western region
As telecommunications expanded and population grew, additional codes became necessary. The state added 516, 518, 607, and 914 through geographic splits in the 1950s-1990s. Modern overlays (917, 646, 332) arrived in the late 1990s and 2000s as mobile phones and internet services created unprecedented demand for phone numbers.
How to Dial Phone Numbers
Local calls within New York:
Dial 10 digits: (code) + (7-digit number)
Example: 212-555-0123
Long distance within North America:
Dial 1 + (code) + (7-digit number)
Example: 1-212-555-0123
International calls to New York:
Dial +1 + (code) + (number)
Example: +1-212-555-0123
The Federal Communications Commission requires 10-digit dialing in overlay areas to prevent confusion when multiple codes serve the same location. This rule applies to all call types: landline, mobile phone, and VoIP.
How to Find or Verify a New York Number
Use trusted reverse lookup tools to identify or confirm New York phone numbers. These reveal:
- Area code location
- Carrier type
- Active status or spam activity
Always verify suspicious numbers, especially those with 212, 646, or 929 prefixes, commonly used in scams. Use our free area code lookup tool to instantly find any New York number, verify caller locations, and check coverage areas.
Common Questions About New York Area Codes
Q: What area code is used in Manhattan?
Manhattan uses 212, 332, 646, and 917. The 212 code is the oldest and most prestigious.
Q: How many area codes does New York City have?
NYC has eight main area codes: 212, 332, 646, 917, 718, 347, 929, and 934.
Q: Is 212 still available?
Yes, but extremely limited. Most new numbers use 332 or 646.
Q: Why does New York have so many area codes?
High population and mobile demand created the need for multiple overlay area codes.
Q: Where is area code 845 in New York?
The 845 area code covers the Hudson Valley region, including Poughkeepsie.
Official Updates from NY Public Service Commission
The New York State Public Service Commission oversees telecommunications policy and approves new code assignments. The commission coordinates with NANPA to monitor number availability and plan relief measures before exhaustion occurs.
Recent additions:
- 332 (Manhattan overlay, 2017)
- 363 (Syracuse overlay, 2023)
The regulatory process involves public comment periods, industry coordination, and consumer education campaigns. Visit dps.ny.gov for official announcements about upcoming changes or new overlay implementations.
Scam Call Awareness and Verification Tips
Telephone scams using spoofed New York codes have increased significantly. Criminals manipulate caller ID to display legitimate-looking local numbers, particularly 212, 646, 917, and 929, which carry authority and trust associations.
Protection strategies:
- Verify independently: Hang up and call back using official numbers from websites or statements
- Enable carrier protection: Most providers offer free or low-cost spam filtering services
- Don’t share information: Legitimate organizations never request sensitive data through unsolicited calls
- Report suspicious calls: File reports with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission tracks scam patterns and pursues enforcement actions against fraudulent callers. Reporting helps authorities identify and stop criminal operations.
Quick Reference Table
| Area Code | Primary Region | Overlay | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212 | Manhattan | 332, 646, 917 | 1947 |
| 315 | Syracuse | 680, 363 | 1947 |
| 332 | Manhattan Overlay | 212, 646, 917 | 2017 |
| 347 | Outer Boroughs | 718, 929, 917 | 1999 |
| 516 | Nassau County | None | 1951 |
| 518 | Albany | 838 | 1947 |
| 585 | Rochester | None | 2001 |
| 607 | Southern Tier | None | 1954 |
| 631 | Suffolk County | 934 | 1999 |
| 646 | Manhattan Overlay | 212, 332, 917 | 1999 |
| 716 | Buffalo | None | 1947 |
| 718 | Outer Boroughs | 347, 929, 917 | 1984 |
| 845 | Hudson Valley | None | 2000 |
| 914 | Westchester | None | 1947 |
| 917 | NYC Mobile | All NYC codes | 1992 |
| 929 | Outer Boroughs | 718, 347, 917 | 2011 |
References and Sources
All data sourced from:
- North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)
- New York State Public Service Commission
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Wikipedia: List of New York Area Codes