Atlanta Area Codes: What They Are and How They Work

If you live in Atlanta, are moving here, or are planning a visit, it’s helpful to know which area codes are used for Atlanta phone numbers—and why you’ll see more than one.

The Short Answer: Atlanta Has Several Area Codes

Atlanta does not have just one area code. The Atlanta metro area uses multiple overlapping area codes, including:

• 404 – The original Atlanta area code, still strongly associated with the City of Atlanta
• 770 – Surrounding suburban areas outside the original 404 boundary
• 678 – Overlay area code that can cover both city and suburbs
• 470 – Additional overlay for the growing metro region
• 943 – Newer overlay area code introduced as numbers run out

If someone says, “the area code for Atlanta is 404,” they’re usually talking about Atlanta’s historic core, but in everyday life across the metro, you’ll regularly see 404, 770, 678, 470, and 943.

Why Does Atlanta Have So Many Area Codes?

Atlanta’s area codes reflect the city’s population growth and expansion of suburbs over time.

404: Atlanta’s Original Area Code

• 404 was one of the earliest area codes assigned in Georgia.
• Today, it primarily covers much of the City of Atlanta and some inner ITP (inside the Perimeter, I‑285) areas.
• Many long-time residents and businesses still see 404 as part of Atlanta’s identity.

You’ll commonly find 404 numbers associated with addresses in or near:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• East Atlanta
• The Westside and some close-in neighborhoods

770: The Suburban Ring

As Atlanta grew, the 770 area code was introduced for suburban communities outside the original 404 territory.

You’ll often see 770 in places such as:

• Marietta and Cobb County
• Sandy Springs (especially outside the older 404 zones)
• Roswell, Alpharetta, and North Fulton suburbs
• Duluth, Lawrenceville, and parts of Gwinnett County
• Parts of Clayton, Douglas, and other surrounding counties

678, 470, and 943: Overlay Area Codes

Because both 404 and 770 began running out of available numbers, additional overlay area codes were added. An overlay means a new area code covers the same geographic region as existing codes, rather than splitting off a brand-new region.

• 678 overlays 404 and 770
• 470 also overlays the same general metro region
• 943 is a newer overlay for the greater Atlanta area

That’s why your neighbor in the same apartment building might have a 404 number, while you have 678, and a coworker across the hall might have 470.

Atlanta Area Codes at a Glance

Here’s a simple summary for quick reference:

📝 Key takeaway: There is no single “correct” Atlanta area code today. All of the codes above are valid for Atlanta-area numbers.

How Area Codes Affect Calling in Atlanta

Do I Have to Dial the Area Code in Atlanta?

Yes. Because of overlapping area codes, the Atlanta metro uses 10-digit dialing for most calls.

When you place a local call, you typically need to dial:

This applies whether you’re calling:

• From 404 to 404
• From 404 to 770
• From 678 to 470, and so on

If you’re used to seven-digit dialing from smaller cities, this is a common adjustment when moving to Atlanta.

Are All These Area Codes Local to Each Other?

Within the Atlanta metro, calls between 404, 770, 678, 470, and 943 are usually treated as local by most carriers, even if they cross city or county lines.

That said, billing can depend on:

• Your phone carrier
• Your specific plan (mobile vs. landline, legacy plans, etc.)

If you still use a landline or have an older plan, it can be worth checking with your service provider to confirm what’s considered a local call.

Which Area Code Will I Get for a New Atlanta Number?

If you’re moving to Atlanta or setting up a new phone line, you typically cannot choose your area code freely, although some mobile providers may offer limited options.

Your number’s area code may depend on:

• The carrier (mobile or landline)
• When you set up service (newer numbers may be 470 or 943)
• The location associated with the line (home address, business address, or billing ZIP)

For example:

• A new cellphone line in Midtown today might receive a 678, 470, or 943 number, even though many neighbors still use 404.
• A new landline in a suburban office park in Cobb County might receive 770, 678, 470, or 943, depending on what’s available.

If keeping a specific area code matters to you (for branding or personal reasons), you can:

• Ask your provider if any 404 or 770 numbers are available
• Consider porting in an existing Atlanta-area number if you already have one

Area Codes and Atlanta Neighborhood Identity

In Atlanta, area codes often feel like a badge of identity, especially 404.

Residents may casually associate:

• 404 with “the city,” especially neighborhoods inside I‑285
• 770 with “the suburbs” or “OTP” (outside the Perimeter)
• 678/470/943 as “metro-wide” codes that blend city and suburbs

These associations are more cultural than official. A 770 number doesn’t necessarily mean you live far from downtown, and a 404 number doesn’t guarantee you’re ITP. With overlays and mobile phones, people move but keep their numbers, so area code is no longer a precise locator.

Using Area Codes When Contacting Atlanta Offices and Services

If you’re trying to reach a public office or service in Atlanta, it helps to know that:

• Many government offices and long-established institutions still use 404 numbers.
• Newer facilities or suburban branches may use 770, 678, or 470.

A few examples of where you’ll see area codes in use:

• City of Atlanta Government Offices – Often use 404 phone numbers.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – Phone numbers are commonly in the 404 range.
• Atlanta Police Department and Fire Stations – Many main numbers are 404, while some precincts or surrounding jurisdictions use 770 or overlays.
• County Services in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett – Mix of 404, 770, and overlay codes depending on the facility and location.

When in doubt, use the full 10-digit number exactly as listed.

Visiting Atlanta: Handling Area Codes as a Traveler

If you’re just visiting Atlanta:

• Store local contacts in your phone with the full area code + number.
• When calling a hotel, restaurant, or attraction, always dial the 10-digit number.
• If you’re using an international SIM card, you’ll also need the U.S. country code (+1), followed by the area code, then the 7-digit number.

Example for calling a Atlanta number from abroad:

The same pattern applies for 770, 678, 470, and 943 numbers.

Common Questions About Atlanta’s Area Codes

Is 404 the “main” area code for Atlanta?

Historically, yes.404 is the original Atlanta area code and still closely linked with the city.
In practical terms, though, there is no single “main” code anymore—404, 770, 678, 470, and 943 all serve the Atlanta metro.

Does my area code need to match my Atlanta address?

No. Especially with mobile phones, it’s common for people to:

• Move from one part of Atlanta to another
• Move from out of state
• Keep a previous non-Atlanta area code

You can live in Midtown with a 312 (Chicago) or 212 (New York) number. Many Atlantans simply keep whatever number they’ve had for years.

Can I tell exactly where someone lives in Atlanta from the area code?

Not reliably. Area codes now cover:

• Large regions, not individual neighborhoods
• People who have moved but kept their number
• Overlapping zones with no clear geographic boundary

At most, you can guess a general region (for example, long-time 770 numbers often started in the suburbs), but it’s not a precise locator.

What to Remember About Atlanta’s Area Codes

If you’re trying to understand “What is the area code for Atlanta?”, keep these core points in mind:

• Atlanta uses multiple area codes, not just one.
• The main Atlanta-area codes are 404, 770, 678, 470, and 943.
• 404 is the historic city code, while 770 is widely associated with suburbs.
• 678, 470, and 943 overlay the region and can appear anywhere in the metro.
• Always use 10-digit dialing for local calls within Atlanta.

Once you know that Atlanta’s phone system is built on overlapping area codes, it becomes much easier to recognize local numbers, give out your own number clearly, and understand why not everyone in the city has a 404.