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 3, 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 oldest code in District of Columbia is 202 (Washington), one of the original 1947 area codes.
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.
District of Columbia city area code pages
Look up the area codes for a specific District of Columbia city: 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?
District of Columbia has no single main code. Its original 1947 area code was 202; today the main cities are served by 202 (Washington), 771 (Washington).
Does District of Columbia require 10-digit dialing?
Yes, in its overlay areas you must dial all 10 digits, even for local calls. Dialing all 10 digits always works, so it is the safe habit.