771 area code — Washington, DC geographic

Data: NANPA public reports, current as of July 28, 2026.

771 is the area code for Washington, District of Columbia, in service since November 9, 2021, Eastern time. The same territory is also served by its overlay code (202/771 complex). Keep in mind the code identifies where the number was registered; the person calling may be elsewhere.

The code currently holds 69 working prefixes, held by 18 different carriers. Of these, 69 are pooled prefixes shared by multiple carriers. Numbers are anchored to a single rate center.

Practical takeaway: the 771 label narrows geography to District of Columbia, the prefix narrows it to a locality, and neither authenticates a caller. Verification means calling back through a number you found yourself.

Local calls inside 771 are dialed 10D; 1+10 digit permissible at each service providers discretion.

The current NANPA exhaust forecast for the 202/771 complex is 3Q 2088.

The code was carved out of 202 (2021).

Largest localities in 771

FAQ

Why am I getting spam calls from 771 numbers?

Scammers spoof recognizable area codes so calls look local or familiar. A displayed 771 number does not prove the call originated there — see our guide to spotting spoofed calls.

Where is a 771 number from?

771 is assigned to Washington and surrounding areas of District of Columbia in the Eastern time zone. The three digits after the area code (the prefix) narrow it down to a rate center.

Is 771 a toll-free number?

No. 771 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 202 and 771 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 202/771 complex shares one service area, and local calls are dialed with 10 digits.

Will 771 run out of numbers?

NANPA's current forecast projects exhaust in 3Q 2088 — decades of capacity remain.