District of Columbia area codes
District of Columbia has 2 active area codes. The original 1947 code was 202. The newest is 771 (2021).
The busiest codes by active prefixes are 202 (Washington), 771 (Washington).
Overlay territory: 202/771 — same geography, several codes, ten-digit local dialing.
Recent numbering history: 771 arrived in 2021 — an overlay added as existing codes approached exhaust.
Time zone is uniform across the state's codes: Eastern.
202, in service since 1947, anchors Washington, carries 783 active prefixes across 1 rate centers, split among 36 carriers. 441 of its prefixes are pooled — shared between carriers in thousands-number blocks. It is the oldest area code in District of Columbia, in service since 1947. NANPA projects its capacity to last until 3Q 2088 — no relief needed for decades. Local dialing is ten digits.
771 has served Washington since 2021, carries 69 active prefixes across 1 rate centers, split among 18 carriers. 69 of its prefixes are pooled — shared between carriers in thousands-number blocks. NANPA projects its capacity to last until 3Q 2088 — no relief needed for decades. It was created from 202. Local dialing is ten digits.
Numbers in the toll-free 8YY family are absent here by design: they carry no state assignment and answer anywhere in the US, Canada and the Caribbean.
Use the per-code pages to go deeper — coverage by locality, full prefix tables for the most-searched codes, and NANPA's capacity forecasts for each.
| Code | Major area | In service | Overlay complex | Prefixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202 | Washington | 1947 | 202/771 | 783 |
| 771 | Washington | 2021 | 202/771 | 69 |
FAQ
How many area codes does District of Columbia have?
2 geographic area codes are currently in service: 202, 771.
What was District of Columbia's first area code?
202, in service since 1947.
Will District of Columbia get a new area code soon?
Not soon. The earliest exhaust forecast in the state is 202 at 3Q 2088, so current codes have ample capacity.
Which time zone are District of Columbia numbers in?
All District of Columbia area codes are in the Eastern time zone.