Rhode Island · Eastern Time
401 Area Code
Area code 401 is in Rhode Island, serving the entire state of Rhode Island. It is in the Eastern Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 401 area code?
401 is a Rhode Island area code covering the entire state of Rhode Island. In the wider directory it sits in the Northeast region.
Cities in the 401 area code
- Providence
- Warwick
- Cranston
- Pawtucket
- East Providence
- Woonsocket
- Coventry
- North Providence
- Cumberland
- South Kingstown
- West Warwick
- Johnston
- Newport
- Westerly
Counties served by 401
Providence County, Kent County, Washington County, Newport County and Bristol County.
Dialing 401
Providence, RI is currently served by the single area code 401, with no overlay. Ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) always works and is increasingly the norm nationwide; some local calls may still connect with seven digits. If a future overlay is added, 10-digit dialing would become mandatory.
From outside the US, dial +1 401 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 401 area code
401 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Providence area ever since.
Is 401 a scam or spam risk?
401 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 401 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Providence, RI or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Explore more
See every code in Rhode Island, compare codes across the Northeast region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 4XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
401 area code FAQ
Where is the 401 area code?
The 401 area code is in Rhode Island, covering the entire state of Rhode Island, in the Northeast region.
What cities are in the 401 area code?
Cities in the 401 area code include Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, Coventry, North Providence, Cumberland and South Kingstown.
What time zone is 401 in?
401 is in the Eastern Time zone.
When did the 401 area code start?
401 went into service on January 1, 1947 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 401?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 401 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 401 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.