US Area Code Lookup
Type any 3-digit area code or city to find its location. Covers every NANP code in service across the US and Canada.
How US area codes actually work
The North American Numbering Plan was set up in 1947 — back when long-distance calls were a big deal and someone had to physically connect them with a plug board. The original 86 area codes were assigned with one rule of thumb: cities with more phones got numbers that were faster to dial on a rotary phone. That's why New York got 212 (one click + one click + two clicks) and rural areas got 906 (nine clicks + zero + six).
Geographic vs overlay codes
For decades, every area code corresponded to a specific geographic region. As mobile numbers exploded in the 2000s, the system started running out of numbers. The fix: overlay codes — a second area code that covers the exact same geographic region as an existing one. New York City started with 212. Then 718 was carved out for the outer boroughs. Then 917 was overlaid for mobiles. Then 646 was overlaid on Manhattan. Then 929 was added when 917 ran out. Today, a Manhattan resident might have a phone number with any of those prefixes, and none of them tell you where they actually live.
Toll-free codes
The codes 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 aren't geographic at all. They're toll-free numbers, billed to the company that owns the line rather than the caller. If you ever wondered why scammers love using 800-numbers — it's because they look legitimate and don't reveal location.
Common questions
Why does my caller ID show 415 when I'm being called from Texas?
Two possibilities. First: number portability means a person can move from California to Texas and keep their 415 number forever. Second, and more commonly: it's caller ID spoofing. Scammers pick a "neighborly" area code on purpose so you're more likely to pick up. If the call seems suspicious, hang up and look up the number using a reverse phone lookup — the carrier database will show whether it's actually a real number.
Are 911 calls counted as area codes?
No. 911 is a service code, not an area code. Other reserved 3-digit service codes include 211 (community services), 311 (city services), 411 (directory assistance), 511 (traffic) and 988 (mental health hotline, added 2022). These can never be assigned as regular area codes, which is why you'll never see a 911 area code phone number.