New York City, New York

Where Is Area Code 212?

Area code 212 serves Manhattan in New York City, New York. Manhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City, and it matches New York County. The area code covers local numbers in the central part of the city’s phone system.

Area code 212 is associated with communities across Manhattan, including neighborhoods such as Harlem, the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side, Midtown, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Tribeca, and the Financial District. It does not cover the other boroughs by itself, but New York City uses multiple area codes across its boroughs.

Manhattan includes some of the best-known landmarks in the United States. These include Central Park, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, and the United Nations Headquarters. The borough sits between the Hudson River, the East River, and the Harlem River.

History of Area Code 212

Area code 212 was established in 1947 as one of the original area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. It originally served all five boroughs of New York City. Because New York City had one of the busiest telephone networks in the country, demand for new numbers grew quickly.

The city’s numbering plan changed as the population and number of phone lines increased. In 1984, area code 718 was created for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, and later for the Bronx. Manhattan kept 212, which made it especially well known. Area code 917 was introduced in 1992 as an overlay for all five boroughs, area code 646 was added in 1999 for Manhattan, and area code 332 entered service in 2017 as another Manhattan overlay.

Key Facts About Area Code 212

• Area code 212 is in the state of New York.
• Area code 212 is strongly associated with Manhattan in New York City.
• Area code 212 is in the Eastern Time Zone.
• Area code 212 was created in 1947 as one of the original North American area codes.
• Area code 212 originally covered all five boroughs of New York City.
• Area code 212 now shares Manhattan with overlay area codes 646 and 332.
• Manhattan is the same county as New York County.
• Major institutions and landmarks in the 212 area include Columbia University, New York University, Central Park, Times Square, and the Empire State Building.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 212 in?

Area code 212 is in New York.

What major cities use area code 212?

Area code 212 is used in New York City, specifically in Manhattan.

Is area code 212 a toll-free number?

No, area code 212 is a geographic area code for Manhattan in New York City.