Area Codes in the United States

Area codes are the first three digits in a 10-digit North American telephone number. They direct calls to the correct geographic region. They also help carriers manage numbering resources and avoid conflicts.

How Many Area Codes Are There?

The United States has roughly 335 active area codes as of 2025. New codes appear each year as existing blocks fill up. Retired codes are rare but do occur when regions merge or expand.

History of Area Codes

The North American Numbering Plan launched in 1947. The original list held 86 codes. Early phones used rotary dials, so numbers with low “finger travel” were assigned to high-population states like New York (212) and California (213). Demand grew with fax machines in the 1980s, pagers in the 1990s, and mobile and VoIP lines after 2000. Splits divided large regions. Overlays stacked new codes on top of old ones to keep numbers in service while adding capacity.

Most Common or Recognized Area Codes

• 212 – Manhattan, NY
• 213 – Downtown Los Angeles, CA
• 305 – Miami, FL
• 310 – West Los Angeles, CA
• 702 – Las Vegas, NV
• 202 – Washington, DC

These codes are famous due to population density, business hubs, entertainment ties, or pop-culture mentions.

Detailed Look at Selected Area Codes

213 Area Code

Serves downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods. One of California’s originals from 1947. Overlaid by 323 in 1998. Both codes now share the same footprint, so ten-digit dialing is required.

646 Area Code

An overlay for Manhattan. Introduced in 1999 when 212 numbers ran out. Popular with startups and mobile lines seeking a New York identity.

347 Area Code

Covers the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island along with 718 and 929. Launched in 1999 as the first overlay to 718. Often assigned to wireless devices.

917 Area Code

Created in 1992 for New York City wireless and pagers. Now used for any service in all five boroughs. Considered prestigious as early cellular adopters held 917 numbers.

929 Area Code

Added in 2011 as a second overlay for NYC’s outer boroughs. Allows new numbers without forcing existing customers to change.

323 Area Code

Overlay to 213 in central Los Angeles. Includes Hollywood, Echo Park, and East LA. Initially a split in 1998, converted to an overlay complex in 2017.

626 Area Code

Serves the San Gabriel Valley and eastern Los Angeles County. Split from 818 in 1997. Introduced ten-digit dialing in 2021 to accommodate the national 988 lifeline code.

424 Area Code

Overlay to 310 in coastal and South Bay Los Angeles. Activated in 2006. Covers Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and the LAX corridor when 310 is exhausted.

786 Area Code

Overlay to 305 in Miami-Dade County. Implemented in 1998. Handles Miami, Miami Beach, and Hialeah numbers as the metro area grows.

415 Area Code

One of California’s original codes. Now limited to San Francisco and Marin County after multiple splits. Shares an overlay with 628 since 2015 to prevent exhaustion.

310 Area Code

Created in 1991 from a 213 split. Serves Los Angeles’s Westside, South Bay, and parts of Malibu. Overlay 424 later added to keep pace with demand.

206 Area Code

Original 1947 code for Washington State. Now restricted to Seattle and some nearby islands. Will be overlaid by 564 in 2025 because available numbers are nearly gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a split and an overlay?

A split divides one region into two. Customers in the new region get a new code. An overlay adds a new code to the same geographic area, so everyone keeps their old number but must dial ten digits for local calls.

Why do major cities have so many area codes?

High population, business growth, and multiple devices per person exhaust available numbers faster. Overlays stack new codes rather than forcing changes to existing ones.

Are area codes tied to state borders?

Generally yes, but a few codes cross borders in lightly populated areas. Numbering authorities prefer clean state boundaries but leave room for exceptions.

Can I keep my area code if I move?

Yes. Mobile number portability lets you keep the same ten-digit number anywhere in the United States.

Do area codes affect call costs?

Within the U.S., most plans include nationwide calling. Long-distance surcharges are rare on modern mobile or VoIP services.

Who assigns new area codes?

The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) works with state regulators and telecom providers. They study exhaust forecasts and approve relief plans about 30 months before numbers run out.

What is ten-digit dialing?

Dialing the area code plus the seven-digit local number on every call. It becomes mandatory wherever an overlay exists to avoid conflicts between overlapping codes.

How many new area codes appear each year?

The United States adds roughly five to ten new codes annually, depending on regional growth and device demand.

Why are codes like 212 or 415 considered status symbols?

They are among the oldest codes and link directly with major cities. Limited availability makes them scarce and desirable.

What happens when an area code reaches exhaustion?

NANPA issues a relief order. Regulators either split the region, overlay a new code, or use numbering conservation measures such as thousand-block pooling.