The Area Codes

USA Area Code System

Exploring the North American Area Code System: Unveiling the Secrets of Geographic Codes, Efficient Call Routing, Cities, States, Population, and Time Zones.

Composition of Telephone Numbers

A telephone number typically consists of several components, including:

1. Country Code:

This is a numeric code that represents the country in which the phone number is registered. For example, the country code for the United States is +1.

2. Area Code (NPA in NANP):

In many countries, including the United States, Canada, and some Caribbean nations, an area code is used to identify a specific geographic region within the country. It is usually the first three digits of the phone number and is also referred to as the Numbering Plan Area (NPA) within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP).

3. Exchange Code (Central Office Code, NXX in NANP):

This part of the phone number narrows down the location even further. It identifies a central office or exchange within the area code. It's typically the next three digits after the area code and is also known as the Central Office Code or NXX within the NANP.

4. Subscriber Number:

This is the unique number that identifies an individual or business line within the exchange. It can vary in length depending on the country and local regulations.

5. Extension (Optional):

In some cases, there may be an extension number, especially for business phone systems. This allows for routing calls to specific individuals or departments within a company.

6. International Dialing Prefix (Optional):

When calling international numbers, you may need to include an international dialing prefix, like "011" in the United States, before the country code.

Example of a complete phone number format, within the NANP

In this example: +1 (555) 123-4567
  • "+1" is the country code for the United States.
  • "(555)" is the area code (NPA in NANP).
  • "123" is the exchange code (NXX in NANP).
  • "4567" is the subscriber number.
Note: Format and components of a phone number can vary from country to country.

Area codes by State and Country

States Area Code
Alabama 205, 251, 256, 334, 659 and 938
Alaska 907
Arizona 480, 520, 602, 623 and 928
Arkansas 479, 501 and 870
California 209, 213, 279, 310, 323, 341, 408, 415, 424, 442, 510, 530, 559, 562, 619, 626, 628, 650, 657, 661, 669, 707, 714, 747, 760, 805, 818, 820, 831, 858, 909, 916, 925, 949 and 951
Colorado 303, 719, 720 and 970
Connecticut 203, 475, 860 and 959
Delaware 302
Florida 239, 305, 321, 352, 386, 407, 561, 689, 727, 754, 772, 786, 813, 850, 863, 904, 941 and 954
Georgia 229, 404, 470, 478, 678, 706, 762, 770 and 912
Hawaii 808
Idaho 208 and 986
Illinois 217, 224, 309, 312, 331, 618, 630, 708, 773, 779, 815, 847 and 872
Indiana 219, 260, 317, 364, 463, 574, 765, 812 and 930
Iowa 319, 515, 563, 641 and 712
Kansas 316, 620, 785 and 913
Kentucky 270, 364, 502, 606 and 859
Louisiana 225, 318, 337, 504 and 985
Maine 207
Maryland 227, 240, 301, 302, 304, 410, 443, 667 and 681
Massachusetts 339, 351, 413, 508, 617, 774, 781, 857 and 978
Michigan 231, 248, 269, 313, 517, 586, 616, 734, 810, 906, 947 and 989
Minnesota 218, 320, 507, 612, 651, 763 and 952
Mississippi 228, 601, 662 and 769
Missouri 314, 417, 573, 636, 660 and 816
Montana 406
Nebraska 308, 402 and 531
Nevada 702, 725 and 775
New Hampshire 603
New Jersey 201, 215, 267, 445, 551, 609, 640, 732, 848, 856, 862, 908 and 973
New Mexico 505 and 575
New York 212, 315, 332, 347, 516, 518, 585, 607, 631, 646, 680, 716, 718, 838, 845, 914, 917, 929 and 934
North Carolina 252, 336, 704, 743, 828, 910, 919, 980 and 984
North Dakota 701
Ohio 216, 220, 234, 283, 304, 326, 330, 380, 419, 440, 513, 567, 606, 614, 681, 740 and 937
Oklahoma 405, 539, 572, 580 and 918
Oregon 458, 503, 541 and 971
Pennsylvania 215, 223, 267, 272, 412, 445, 484, 570, 610, 717, 724, 814 and 878
Rhode Island 401
South Carolina 803, 839, 843, 854 and 864
South Dakota 605
Tennessee 423, 615, 629, 731, 865, 901 and 931
Texas 210, 214, 254, 281, 325, 346, 361, 409, 430, 432, 469, 512, 682, 713, 726, 737, 806, 817, 830, 832, 903, 915, 936, 940, 956, 972 and 979
Utah 385, 435 and 801
Vermont 603 and 802
Virginia 276, 434, 540, 571, 703, 757 and 804
Washington 206, 253, 360, 425, 509 and 564
West Virginia 304 and 681
Wisconsin 262, 414, 534, 608, 715 and 920
Wyoming 307
Whasington DC 202 and 771

FAQS

What is area code?

An area code, often referred to as an NPA (Numbering Plan Area), is a three-digit numerical prefix used in phone numbers to signify specific geographic regions within a country. It's a crucial part of telephone numbering systems and is used in various countries worldwide to facilitate efficient call routing.

How Many Area Codes Are There in the United States?

There are over 330 active area codes in the United States. However, this number can change over time as new area codes are introduced to meet the increasing demand for phone numbers due to population growth and the proliferation of devices. The North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) is responsible for managing and assigning area codes in the United States.

Only us use area code?

No, Many countries around the world use area codes or their equivalent to designate specific geographic regions within their telephone numbering systems.

  • In the United States, Canada and Australia, they are called "Area Codes."
  • In the United Kingdom, they are referred to as "Area Dialing Codes."
  • In Germany, they are called "Vorwahlnummern" or "Ortsvorwahlnummern."

What is NANPA?

NANPA, or the North American Numbering Plan Administration, is the organization responsible for managing telephone numbering in the United States, Canada, and certain Caribbean nations. They allocate area codes, assign telephone numbers, and ensure efficient call routing within the region.

How Many Area Codes Are There in Canada?

Canada had over 40 active area codes. However, the number of area codes in Canada can change over time. Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) is the organization responsible for numbering administration in Canada.