South region · Eastern Time
District of Columbia Area Codes
All 2 area codes serving District of Columbia, the cities each one covers, and which are overlays. District of Columbia is served by 2 area codes in the Eastern Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026
Full list
Every District of Columbia area code
District of Columbia is served by 2 area codes in the Eastern Time zone. 1 of these are overlay codes layered over busy metros; the rest are geographic codes.
| Code | Area served | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202 | The entire District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) | Geographic | Since 1947 |
| 771 | The entire District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) | Overlay | Since 2021 |
Area codes and dialing in District of Columbia
District of Columbia's 2 area codes mix older geographic codes with newer overlays. The busiest metros — around Washington — carry the most numbers and rely on overlays, which is why 10-digit dialing is required there. Quieter parts of the state may still use a single code. The original code in the District of Columbia list is 202 (Washington).
Whenever a District of Columbia region runs low on numbers, a new overlay is added on top rather than splitting the map, so existing customers keep their numbers. See 10-digit dialing for what that means in practice, or the newest area codes for upcoming changes.
Cities with multiple area codes
These District of Columbia metros are served by an overlay of two or more codes, so 10-digit dialing applies: Washington.
Browse District of Columbia another way
Explore by South region, by time zone, or jump to the city index. You can also see the complete numeric list of every US area code.
Quick answers
District of Columbia area code FAQ
How many area codes does District of Columbia have?
District of Columbia currently has 2 area codes: 202, 771.
What is the main area code for District of Columbia?
The busiest metro in District of Columbia is served by the 202 code. Major cities include Washington.
Does District of Columbia require 10-digit dialing?
Yes, in its overlay metros you must dial all 10 digits. Ten-digit dialing is the national standard.