New York · Eastern Time
646 Area Code
Area code 646 is in New York, serving the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It is in the Eastern Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay codes 212, 332 and 917, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 646 area code?
646 is a New York area code covering the borough of Manhattan in New York City. In the wider directory it sits in the Northeast region.
Cities in the 646 area code
- New York City
- Harlem
- Upper West Side
- Upper East Side
- Midtown
- Chelsea
- Greenwich Village
- SoHo
- Tribeca
- Financial District
- Lower East Side
- Washington Heights
- Inwood
Counties served by 646
New York County.
646 overlay codes and dialing
The 646 territory is covered by an overlay of 4 area codes: 212, 332, 646, 917. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 212. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 646 area code
646 went into service on July 1, 1999 as an overlay of 212, relieving number exhaustion in the New York City area. Rather than splitting the region, the overlay lets existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 646 a scam or spam risk?
646 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 646 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in New York City, NY or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other New York area codes
Explore more
See every code in New York, compare codes across the Northeast region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 6XX 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
646 area code FAQ
Where is the 646 area code?
The 646 area code is in New York, covering the borough of Manhattan in New York City, in the Northeast region.
What cities are in the 646 area code?
Cities in the 646 area code include New York City, Harlem, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Midtown, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Tribeca and Financial District.
What time zone is 646 in?
646 is in the Eastern Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 646 area code?
646 shares its territory with 212, 332 and 917. All 4 codes (212, 332, 646, 917) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 646 area code start?
646 went into service on July 1, 1999 as an overlay of 212.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 646?
Yes. Because 646 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 646 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 646 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.