202
Washington D.C.'s Complete Business Number Guide
The 202 area code is Washington D.C.'s original prefix. Discover its history, the 771 overlay, time zone, scam alerts, and how to get a 202 number for business.
DC · 2 Area Codes
District of Columbia
Area Codes
District of Columbia's area codes are 202 and 771. District of Columbia's economy leans on government, policy, and nonprofit work, centered around Washington. Get a local virtual phone number with any District of Columbia area code.
2 area codes
Original code 202 · 1947
Capital: Washington
Carrier-grade network
// Why DC Virtual Numbers
Why businesses choose a District of Columbia virtual number
A local District of Columbia number shows callers which part of the state you serve.
1947
202 first assigned
202 came first, in 1947
202 was District of Columbia's original area code, assigned in 1947. The newest, 771, arrived in 2021. Each of the 2 codes below maps to its own part of the state, so the code you pick shows which region you serve.
01 — District of Columbia at a Glance
District of Columbia, by the numbers.
Washington, D.C. was assigned area code 202 in 1947, one of the very first area codes ever put into service.
Unlike almost every other populous area code, 202 has never split — it has covered the same compact District territory for nearly 80 years.
The city's small footprint and steady, non-explosive growth spared it from the splits that repeatedly reshaped neighboring Maryland and Virginia.
In 2021 the District added a second code, 771, as an overlay on top of 202 rather than splitting the city. Both codes cover the whole District, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory for local calls on October 9, 2021.
Did you know?
Because 771 is an overlay on 202, nobody in the District had to change their number: new lines can be assigned either code, and both cover the whole District.
// 2 area codes
Area codes in District of Columbia
Select any area code to read about it and get a local virtual number for that region of District of Columbia.
// Calling District of Columbia
Calling District of Columbia: what to know
Time zones, dialing rules and area code status, with the sources we checked.
Time zone
Washington, DC is on Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time.
Dialing
Ten-digit dialing has been mandatory for all local calls in DC since October 9, 2021, because of the 771 overlay. Seven-digit calls no longer complete.
Area code status
771 is an overlay on 202. It covers the same territory, the entire District, so a new number can be assigned either code and existing 202 numbers did not change. As far as we could find in November 2026, no further relief plan has been announced.
Good to know
- The North American Numbering Plan Administrator announced the 771 overlay in October 2020, and the DC Public Service Commission published guidance for residents and businesses.
- Ten-digit dialing was optional from April 10, 2021 until it became mandatory on October 9, 2021, and the first 771 central-office codes were assigned in November 2021.
Sources · checked November 2026
Frequently Asked
District of Columbia number questions answered.
Everything you need to know before getting a District of Columbia virtual phone number.
District of Columbia has 2 active area codes: 202, 771. Rozper offers virtual phone numbers in these codes, which you can browse and choose from one dashboard.
202 is District of Columbia's original area code, assigned in 1947. The most recent addition, 771, followed in 2021.
No. Virtual numbers are location-independent. A business based anywhere in the U.S. or internationally can get a District of Columbia area code and route calls to any device, team, or call center.
District of Columbia's capital is Washington, and the state keeps Eastern time. Its population is about 702,000, across 1 county.
Ten-digit dialing has been mandatory for all local calls in DC since October 9, 2021, because of the 771 overlay. Seven-digit calls no longer complete.
771 is an overlay on 202. It covers the same territory, the entire District, so a new number can be assigned either code and existing 202 numbers did not change. As far as we could find in November 2026, no further relief plan has been announced.
District of Columbia's economy centers on government, policy, and nonprofit work, with Washington as the main business hubs. DC is the seat of the federal government, not a state.
Questions about District of Columbia numbers? Get in touch.
// Next door
States that border District of Columbia
Customers and teams near the District of Columbialine often use a neighbouring state's codes. Here are the area codes next door.
Ready for a District of Columbia number?
Choose 202 or 771 and talk to us about setting up your number.