Tennessee · Central Time
729 Area Code
Area code 729 is in Tennessee, serving eastern Tennessee outside Knoxville, including Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities. It is in the Central Time zone (part of its territory observes Eastern Time). It shares its territory with overlay code 423, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 729 area code?
729 is a Tennessee area code covering eastern Tennessee outside Knoxville, including Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 729 area code
- Chattanooga
- Johnson City
- Kingsport
- Cleveland
- Bristol
- Morristown
- Greeneville
- Elizabethton
- East Ridge
- Athens
- Red Bank
- Dayton
- Collegedale
- Rogersville
Counties served by 729
Hamilton County, Sullivan County, Washington County, Bradley County, Hamblen County, Greene County, Carter County, McMinn County, Hawkins County and Rhea County.
Time zone note: Eastern in Knoxville and Chattanooga; Central in Nashville, Memphis and most of the state.
729 overlay codes and dialing
The 729 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 423, 729. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 423. 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 729 area code
729 went into service on September 5, 2025 as an overlay of 423, relieving number exhaustion in the Chattanooga 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 729 a scam or spam risk?
729 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 729 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Chattanooga, TN or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Tennessee area codes
Explore more
See every code in Tennessee, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 7XX 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
729 area code FAQ
Where is the 729 area code?
The 729 area code is in Tennessee, covering eastern Tennessee outside Knoxville, including Chattanooga and the Tri-Cities, in the South region.
What cities are in the 729 area code?
Cities in the 729 area code include Chattanooga, Johnson City, Kingsport, Cleveland, Bristol, Morristown, Greeneville, Elizabethton, East Ridge and Athens.
What time zone is 729 in?
729 is in the Central Time zone. Eastern in Knoxville and Chattanooga; Central in Nashville, Memphis and most of the state.
What is the overlay for the 729 area code?
729 shares its territory with 423. Both codes (423, 729) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 729 area code start?
729 went into service on September 5, 2025 as an overlay of 423.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 729?
Yes. Because 729 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 729 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 729 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.