Paterson, NJ Area Codes

Area codes serving Paterson

Paterson sits in New Jersey, part of the Northeast region and the Eastern Time zone. Its numbers are spread across an overlay of 2 codes that all cover the same ground: 862, 973.

The original code is 973 (in service since 1997). 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
862	Northern New Jersey: Essex, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties	December 29, 2001
973	Northern New Jersey: Essex, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties	June 1, 1997

Nearby cities sharing these area codes

• Newark
• Clifton
• Passaic
• East Orange
• Bloomfield
• Irvington
• West Orange
• Wayne
• Montclair
• Parsippany
• Livingston
• Nutley
• Morristown

How to pick an area code for a new number

When you activate a new line in Paterson, 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 973), ask the carrier whether any blocks remain, or request a number transfer. All codes here dial identically and cost the same.

Dialing in Paterson

Because Paterson 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 New Jersey, visit the New Jersey area codes page.