The area code 973 is located in Newark, New Jersey.
Area code 973 serves Newark, New Jersey, and much of northern New Jersey, including parts of Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties. It was established in 1997 after a split from area code 201 to handle growing demand for phone numbers. In 2001, the overlay area code 862 was added, so 10-digit dialing is required across the 973/862 region. This area code sits in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) and covers one of the state’s busiest urban and suburban corridors.
Major cities and communities in the 973/862 service area include:
You’ll find key landmarks here, like New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the Prudential Center, and Branch Brook Park, known for its spring cherry blossoms. The region also includes national sites such as Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, and the Morristown National Historical Park. Newark is a major transportation and business hub for North Jersey, with close access to highways like I‑78, I‑80, I‑280, and the Garden State Parkway, and it borders Newark Liberty International Airport. Phone numbers in this area code are common for residents, schools, nonprofits, and businesses in and around Newark, NJ.
“Newark is New Jersey’s most populous city.” — U.S. Census Bureau