Area Code Atlas

Area code 212 assigned for all New York City

Area code 212 was assigned in 1947 as the original area code for all five boroughs of New York City, covering Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

NPA 212 assigned to all of New York City

In 1947, area code 212 was assigned as one of the original North American area codes, covering all five boroughs of New York City. For nearly four decades, it served as the sole area code for the city.

NPA 718 split from 212 for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island

Area code 718 was created in 1984 by splitting Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island from area code 212, which was then reduced to serving only Manhattan and the Bronx.

Second New York City area code approved

On February 1, 1984, the New York Public Service Commission voted to create a second area code for New York City. Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island were designated to receive 718, while Manhattan and the Bronx would retain 212.

NYC area code 212 split to create 718

Area code 212 was split in February 1984, creating area code 718 for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, while 212 remained for Manhattan and the Bronx. The split aimed to prevent number exhaustion in the city.

Approval of area code 718 for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island

On February 16, 1984, the New York Public Service Commission voted to create area code 718 for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island to relieve exhaustion of 212 numbers.

NANP – SPLIT OF THE 212 NUMBERING PLAN AREA

Area code 718 activated for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island

Area code 718 was activated on August 31, 1984, splitting from 212 and assigned to Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Manhattan and the Bronx retained 212. A permissive dialing period began allowing use of either code.

Area code 718 split from 212 for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island

On September 1, 1984, area code 718 was introduced as a split from area code 212, assigning 718 to Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island while 212 was retained for Manhattan and the Bronx. This was the first area code split in New York City, dividing the city's telephone subscribers roughly in half. The change was made to address the impending exhaustion of telephone numbers in New York City. Permissive dialing allowed the use of either area code until January 1, 1985, when 718 became mandatory for the affected boroughs.

Permissive dialing period for 212 and 718 begins

Permissive dialing for both area codes 212 and 718 began on September 1, 1984, allowing calls to be completed using either code for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. This transition period was intended to ease the adjustment to the new area code split. After the 1984 split began, permissive dialing allowed either 212 or 718 to be used for affected New York City calls until January 1, 1985.

Mandatory dialing of 718 for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island

Beginning January 1, 1985, the permissive dialing period ended and mandatory use of the correct area code was required for calls within New York City. Calls dialed with the wrong area code were routed to intercept. Area code 718 became mandatory for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, while 212 remained restricted to Manhattan and the Bronx. The use of area code 718 became mandatory for Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, and callers were required to use the appropriate code, ending the permissive dialing period following the 1984 split.

Proposal to assign NPA 917 to the Bronx and mobile devices in 212

The New York Telephone Company proposed assigning area code 917 to all cellular phones and pagers in the 212 area and to all telephone lines in the Bronx to address number shortages. The proposal was denied by the New York Public Service Commission.

Proposal to assign 917 to Bronx and cellphones in Manhattan

A proposal was made to assign area code 917 to all cellphones and pagers in Manhattan and all telephone lines in the Bronx to relieve number shortages, but the New York Public Service Commission denied the request.

NANP-INTRODUCTION OF THE 917 NUMBERING PLAN AREA (NPA) IN NEW YORK CITY AND TRANSFER OF THE BRONX, NEW YORK, FROM THE 212 NPA TO THE 718 NPA

NPA 917 overlay introduced for all of New York City

In 1992, area code 917 was introduced as an overlay for all five boroughs of New York City. Initially planned for the Bronx and mobile services, it was ultimately implemented citywide for both landlines and mobile phones.

NPA 917 introduced as overlay for all of New York City

Area code 917 was introduced on February 4, 1992, as the first overlay area code in the North American Numbering Plan. It initially served all mobile services in New York City and later expanded to all services, overlaying the existing 212 and 718 area codes.

NPA 917 introduced as overlay for all NYC boroughs

Area code 917 was introduced as the first overlay area code in the North American Numbering Plan, covering all New York City boroughs. The Bronx and Marble Hill were transferred from 212 to 718, and 212 was restricted to Manhattan only. All cellphones in New York City were switched to 917, freeing up numbers for landlines.

The Bronx and Marble Hill moved from 212 to 718

On July 1, 1992, the 718 territory was expanded to include the Bronx and the Marble Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, leaving area code 212 solely for the rest of Manhattan.

Permissive 212/718 dialing continued across the Bronx

Following the Bronx reassignment, permissive dialing of 212 continued across the Bronx until May 16, 1993, during which either 212 or 718 could be used.

Bronx and Marble Hill moved from 212 to 718

On July 1, 1992, the Bronx and the Marble Hill neighborhood of Manhattan were reassigned from area code 212 to 718. This change left 212 serving only Manhattan (excluding Marble Hill). The boundary change expanded 718 to cover all of the Bronx and Marble Hill, while 212 remained for Manhattan. The change was made to balance numbering resources in New York City.

Bronx and Marble Hill reassigned from 212 to 718

On July 1, 1992, the 718 area code territory was expanded to include the Bronx and the Marble Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, while the rest of Manhattan remained in 212. A permissive dialing period began allowing use of either 212 or 718 in the Bronx.

Area code 917 introduced as overlay for all New York City boroughs

In 1992, area code 917 was introduced as an overlay covering all five boroughs of New York City, originally intended for cellular phones and pagers but later extended to residences and businesses.

Permissive dialing ends for 212/718 in Bronx and Marble Hill

Permissive dialing allowing use of either 212 or 718 in the Bronx and Marble Hill ended on May 16, 1993, requiring callers to use the correct area code 718 for these areas.

Declaration of Jeopardy Situation in NPA 212 (New York)

Approval of 646 overlay area code for Manhattan

In November 1997, the New York State Public Service Commission approved the introduction of area code 646 as an overlay for Manhattan to provide relief for the exhaustion of 212 numbers.

Overlay of 212 (New York) Numbering Plan Area (NPA)

Area code 646 activated as overlay for Manhattan

On July 1, 1999, area code 646 was implemented as an overlay for Manhattan to address the exhaustion of available numbers in the 212 code, providing additional numbering resources as 212 and 917 neared exhaustion.

NPA 646 overlays Manhattan

Area code 646 was introduced as an overlay for Manhattan on July 6, 1999, providing additional numbering resources alongside 212. The overlay allowed new numbers to be assigned in Manhattan without changing existing 212 numbers.

New York 212/646, 718/347 and 917 Mandatory 10D Dialing Implementation

Announcement of new Manhattan area code 332

On March 25, 2015, the New York Public Service Commission announced the addition of area code 332 as a new overlay for Manhattan due to projected exhaustion of 212 and 646 numbers.

NPA 332 assigned as another Manhattan overlay code

During November 2015, area code 332 was assigned as a third overlay area code for Manhattan as existing numbering resources approached exhaustion.

NPA 332 to Overlay NPAs 212/646/917 (New York)

NPA 332 overlays Manhattan

On June 10, 2017, area code 332 became active as a third overlay for Manhattan, joining 212 and 646. The new code was introduced due to the exhaustion of available numbers in the existing Manhattan area codes.