Where Is Area Code 518?
Area code 518 serves northeastern and eastern New York, with Albany as its primary city. The coverage area includes the Capital Region, much of the Adirondack region, the upper Hudson Valley, the eastern Mohawk Valley, and the North Country near Lake Champlain. The communities in this area code are part of the Mid-Atlantic region in the United States Census classification.
The service area includes Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties. Major communities include Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Plattsburgh, Amsterdam, Hudson, Cohoes, and Watervliet.
Notable geographic features include the Adirondack Park, Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the Hudson River. The New York State Capitol is in Albany, and Saratoga National Historical Park is in Saratoga County.
Cities and Communities in the 518 Area Code
- Albany, Albany County
- Amsterdam, Montgomery County
- Ballston Spa, Saratoga County
- Canajoharie, Montgomery County
- Catskill, Greene County
- Chatham, Columbia County
- Clifton Park, Saratoga County
- Cohoes, Albany County
- Cobleskill, Schoharie County
- Colonie, Albany County
- Coxsackie, Greene County
- East Greenbush, Rensselaer County
- Fort Edward, Washington County
- Glens Falls, Warren County
- Gloversville, Fulton County
- Greenwich, Washington County
- Hudson, Columbia County
- Johnstown, Fulton County
- Lake George, Warren County
- Lake Placid, Essex County
- Malone, Franklin County
- Mechanicville, Saratoga County
- Middleburgh, Schoharie County
- Niskayuna, Schenectady County
- Plattsburgh, Clinton County
- Queensbury, Warren County
- Rensselaer, Rensselaer County
- Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County
- Schenectady, Schenectady County
- Schoharie, Schoharie County
- Ticonderoga, Essex County
- Troy, Rensselaer County
- Watervliet, Albany County
- Whitehall, Washington County
- Wilton, Saratoga County
History of Area Code 518
Area code 518 was established in 1947 as one of the original North American Numbering Plan area codes. It was assigned to northeastern New York, including Albany, during the first nationwide area-code design.
Area code 518 later received an overlay instead of a geographic split. Area code 838 entered service on November 19, 2017, across the same region after growing demand reduced the supply of available 518 numbers. The overlay created a second code for new assignments and requires ten-digit dialing for local calls.
Key Facts About Area Code 518
- Area code 518 is a geographic area code in New York, and Albany is its primary city.
- Area code 518 is in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States Census classification.
- Area code 518 uses Eastern Time.
- Area code 518 was established in 1947 as an original North American Numbering Plan area code.
- Area code 838 has overlaid area code 518 since November 19, 2017.
- The Adirondack Park and Lake George are major geographic features within the 518 service area.
- The University at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and SUNY Plattsburgh are higher-education institutions in the area.
- The New York State Capitol is in Albany, and Saratoga National Historical Park is in Saratoga County.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 518 in?
Area code 518 is in New York.
What major cities use area code 518?
Major cities in area code 518 include Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Plattsburgh, Amsterdam, Hudson, Cohoes, and Watervliet.
What time zone is area code 518 in?
Area code 518 is in Eastern Time.
Is area code 518 a toll-free number?
No, area code 518 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free number.