Pennsylvania · Eastern Time
878 Area Code
The 878 area code is a telephone area code in Pennsylvania, covering Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. It lies in the Eastern Time zone.
Last updated June 5, 2026
Where is the 878 area code?
878 serves Pittsburgh and nearby communities in Pennsylvania. In the wider directory it sits in the Northeast region.
Overlay codes serving Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is served by an overlay of 2 area codes: 412, 878. Because more than one code covers the same area, 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, so Pittsburgh numbers are no longer tied to a single prefix.
History of the 878 area code
878 was introduced as an overlay to relieve number exhaustion in the Pittsburgh area, adding capacity on top of 412 rather than splitting the region. Overlays let existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 878 a scam or spam risk?
878 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 878 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is local or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Pennsylvania area codes
Explore more
See every code in Pennsylvania, compare codes across the Northeast region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 8XX 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
878 area code FAQ
Where is the 878 area code?
The 878 area code is in Pennsylvania, serving Pittsburgh and the surrounding area in the Northeast region.
What time zone is 878 in?
878 is in the Eastern Time zone.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 878?
Yes. Because Pittsburgh is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 878 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 878 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.