Alexandria, VA Area Codes

Area codes serving Alexandria

Alexandria sits in Virginia, part of the South region and the Eastern Time zone. Its numbers are spread across an overlay of 2 codes that all cover the same ground: 571, 703.

The original code is 703 (in service since 1947). As the area ran low on numbers, regulators added overlay codes on top instead of splitting the city, so longtime residents kept their numbers while new lines received a newer code.

Code	Area served	In service
571	Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., including Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax	March 1, 2000
703	Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., including Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax	January 1, 1947

Nearby cities sharing these area codes

• Arlington
• Reston
• Herndon
• Fairfax
• Falls Church
• Manassas
• Leesburg
• Vienna
• McLean
• Woodbridge
• Annandale
• Centreville
• Dale City

How to pick an area code for a new number

When you activate a new line in Alexandria, the carrier assigns whichever code has numbers available — you usually can't choose. If a specific code matters to you (for example the prestige of 703), ask the carrier whether any blocks remain, or request a number transfer. All codes here dial identically and cost the same.

Dialing in Alexandria

Because Alexandria is an overlay area, 10-digit dialing is mandatory: always dial the area code plus the seven-digit number, even for a neighbor. From outside the US, dial +1, then the area code and number. See 10-digit dialing and overlay area codes for the background. For every code in Virginia, visit the Virginia area codes page.