Where Is Area Code 838?
Area code 838 serves eastern upstate New York, with Albany as its primary city. The code covers the Capital Region and the same general geographic territory as area code 518.
Major cities include Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Hudson, and Plattsburgh. The service area includes communities in Albany, Columbia, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties.
Notable geographic features include the Hudson River, Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Park. Major landmarks include the New York State Capitol in Albany and Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs.
Cities and Communities in the 838 Area Code
- Albany, Albany County
- Amsterdam, Montgomery County
- Catskill, Greene County
- Clifton Park, Saratoga County
- Cohoes, Albany County
- Colonie, Albany County
- Glens Falls, Warren County
- Gloversville, Fulton County
- Guilderland, Albany County
- Hudson, Columbia County
- Johnstown, Fulton County
- Mechanicville, Saratoga County
- Niskayuna, Schenectady County
- Plattsburgh, Clinton County
- Queensbury, Warren County
- Rensselaer, Rensselaer County
- Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County
- Schenectady, Schenectady County
- Troy, Rensselaer County
- Watervliet, Albany County
- Whitehall, Washington County
History of Area Code 838
Area code 838 was established in 2017 as an overlay for area code 518. It entered service on November 19, 2017, after the existing 518 numbering supply approached exhaustion. The overlay added new numbers without splitting the region or requiring existing 518 customers to change their numbers.
Area code 518 dates to the original North American Numbering Plan area-code assignments made in 1947. The 838 overlay expanded the number supply across the same eastern New York service area. The overlay also requires 10-digit dialing for local calls, including the area code.
Key Facts About Area Code 838
- Area code 838 is a geographic area code in New York, and Albany is its primary city.
- Area code 838 serves the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
- Area code 838 is a geographic overlay, not an original area code or a geographic split.
- Area code 838 overlays area code 518 across eastern upstate New York.
- Area code 838 entered service on November 19, 2017.
- Area code 518 was one of the original area codes assigned under the North American Numbering Plan in 1947.
- Area code 838 uses Eastern Time.
- The 838 service area includes the New York State Capitol, Saratoga Race Course, Adirondack Park, Lake George, and Lake Champlain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 838 in?
Area code 838 is in New York.
What major cities use area code 838?
Major cities in the 838 overlay include Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Hudson, and Plattsburgh.
What time zone is area code 838 in?
Area code 838 uses Eastern Time.
Is area code 838 a toll-free number?
No, area code 838 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free code.