518 area code — Albany, NY geographic
The 518 area code covers Albany, New York, Eastern time zone, and dates back to January 1, 1947. Together with 838 it forms the 518/838 overlay. Because of number portability and VoIP, the area code tells you where the number was issued, not where the caller is right now.
NANPA lists 775 active NXX prefixes in 518, assigned to 62 carriers. 600 of those prefixes are pooled — shared between carriers in thousands-number blocks. The code spans 135 rate centers (billing localities).
Official projections put exhaust for the 518/838 complex at 2Q 2064.
The dialing plan is 10D for home-NPA local calls and 1+10D across codes.
If a 518 call asks for money or personal data, treat the displayed number as unverified: hang up and reach the organization through its published number. Numbering data locates numbers, not callers.
Later relief produced 838 (2017) from its territory.
Largest localities in 518
| Locality (rate center) | Active prefixes | Also served by |
|---|---|---|
| Albany | 200 | 838 |
| Schenectady | 50 | 838 |
| Glens Falls | 45 | 838 |
| Troy | 34 | 838 |
| Colonie | 34 | 838 |
| Plattsburgh | 31 | — |
| Saratoga Springs | 21 | 838 |
| Amsterdam | 14 | 838 |
| Hudson | 13 | 838 |
| Gloversville | 11 | 838 |
FAQ
Is 518 a toll-free number?
No. 518 is a geographic code; calls are billed like any other domestic call. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Why do 838 and 518 cover the same place?
They are overlays: when a code runs low on numbers, a new code is added over the same territory instead of splitting it. The 518/838 complex shares one service area, and local calls are dialed with 10 digits.
Will 518 run out of numbers?
NANPA's current forecast projects exhaust in 2Q 2064 — decades of capacity remain.
Why am I getting spam calls from 518 numbers?
Scammers spoof recognizable area codes so calls look local or familiar. A displayed 518 number does not prove the call originated there — see our guide to spotting spoofed calls.
Where is a 518 number from?
518 is assigned to Albany and surrounding areas of New York in the Eastern time zone. The three digits after the area code (the prefix) narrow it down to a rate center.