Atlanta Area Codes: What They Are and How They Work

If you spend any time in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll notice that people talk about area codes almost as much as they talk about traffic and the BeltLine. Whether you’re moving to Atlanta, setting up a local business line, or just wondering why you keep seeing different three-digit codes, it helps to understand what Atlanta’s area codes are and how they’re used.

The Short Answer: What’s Atlanta’s Area Code?

Atlanta doesn’t have just one area code anymore. The core Atlanta area is served by multiple overlapping area codes:

• 404 – The original Atlanta area code, often associated with the city “inside the Perimeter.”
• 770 – Surrounding suburbs and metro areas outside I-285.
• 678 – Overlay area code covering both 404 and 770 regions.
• 470 – Newer overlay for the same general metro region.
• 943 – Newly added overlay area code for the Atlanta metro (being phased in as numbers are needed).

If someone says they have an “Atlanta number,” it could be 404, 770, 678, 470, or 943.

Overview: Atlanta’s Main Area Codes

Here’s a simple breakdown to keep things straight:

Because of these overlays, the same street or building can have phone numbers with different area codes.

404: The Classic Atlanta Area Code

404 is the area code most closely tied to Atlanta’s identity. It originally covered a much larger part of Georgia, but over time it narrowed to the central metro area.

Today, 404 is often found in:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Old Fourth Ward
• Westside / West Midtown
• East Atlanta / Kirkwood / Edgewood
• Parts of South Atlanta and Southwest Atlanta

Many long-time residents, local businesses, and institutions still use 404 numbers, so you’ll see it on signage, business cards, and local ads throughout the city.

770: The Atlanta Suburbs Area Code

As Atlanta grew, the 770 area code was introduced to serve suburban and outer metro areas, typically outside the I-285 Perimeter.

770 is commonly used in cities and communities such as:

• Marietta and Smyrna (Cobb County)
• Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton (North Fulton)
• Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Lilburn (Gwinnett County)
• Sandy Springs (also uses other overlays)
• Douglasville, Lithia Springs
• Mableton, Powder Springs
• Peachtree Corners, Suwanee

Even though 770 started as a “suburban” code, the lines have blurred. Many areas with 770 feel just as connected to Atlanta as neighborhoods inside the city limits.

678 and 470: Overlay Area Codes Across Metro Atlanta

As both 404 and 770 started running out of numbers, regulators introduced overlay area codes so new phone lines could be added without changing existing numbers.

678 Area Code

678 is an overlay for both 404 and 770 regions, meaning it’s used throughout much of the metro, including both city and suburbs.

You’ll see 678 numbers:

• In Atlanta neighborhoods and intown apartments
• In suburban offices and retail centers
• For mobile phones and VoIP lines across the metro

470 Area Code

470 is a newer overlay for the same overall region. When carriers run out of 404, 770, or 678 blocks in a specific area, they can assign 470 numbers instead.

You might receive a 470 number if you:

• Start a new cell phone line in Atlanta
• Set up new home internet/phone service
• Open a new business line anywhere in the metro

Both 678 and 470 operate in the same geographic footprint as 404 and 770—they don’t map neatly to specific neighborhoods.

943: The Newest Atlanta Metro Area Code

With continued population growth and more devices (cell phones, tablets, VoIP lines), Atlanta needed another overlay. The 943 area code has been introduced as an additional overlay for the metro area.

• 943 will be assigned as existing codes fill up.
• It covers the same broad metro region served by 404, 770, 678, and 470.
• You may begin seeing 943 numbers for new lines, especially from wireless and internet-based providers.

You won’t need to change anything if you already live in Atlanta. Existing numbers keep their area codes. 943 simply expands the pool for future numbers.

Do Area Codes Match Exact Neighborhoods in Atlanta?

Not anymore. While 404 once strongly pointed to central Atlanta and 770 to the suburbs, overlays have blurred those distinctions.

In practice:

• A condo in Midtown might have 404, 678, or 470.
• A house in Smyrna might use 770, 678, 470, or eventually 943.
• Two neighbors on the same street can have different area codes.

Because of number portability and people moving within the metro, the area code tells you more about when and how the number was assigned than exactly where someone lives today.

Why Atlanta Has So Many Area Codes

Atlanta’s multiple area codes are mainly the result of:

• Rapid population growth in the metro region
• The spread of mobile phones, work lines, and internet-based phones
• A need to keep existing numbers while adding new ones

Instead of changing everyone’s phone numbers, regulators typically introduce overlay codes. That’s why Atlanta now has a stack of area codes that cover the same general region.

Do You Have to Dial the Area Code in Atlanta?

Yes. Because of the multiple overlapping area codes, 10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit phone number) is standard in the Atlanta metro.

• When calling any local number, you should dial all 10 digits.
• This applies whether you’re using a landline or cell phone.
• If you’re visiting from out of town, it may feel different if you’re used to 7-digit dialing, but in Atlanta the area code is part of the number.

For calls to Atlanta from outside the United States, you’d typically dial:

• Your country’s exit code
• 1 (for the U.S.)
• The Atlanta area code (404, 770, 678, 470, or 943)
• The 7-digit local number

Common Atlanta Area Code Questions

Is 404 the “real” Atlanta area code?

404 is the original and most iconic Atlanta area code, especially for intown neighborhoods. However, 678, 470, 943, and 770 all serve the greater Atlanta area as well. A 678 or 470 number can be just as “Atlanta” as a 404 number, especially now that overlays are standard.

Can I choose my Atlanta area code?

It depends on:

• Your phone carrier
• Available number blocks in your specific part of the metro
• Whether you’re getting a new number or transferring an existing one

Some carriers let you request a specific code (like 404), but it’s not always available. When you set up service, you can ask a representative if any 404 or 770 numbers are open in your area, but be prepared that you may receive a 678, 470, or 943 instead.

Will my area code change if I move within Atlanta?

Usually no, as long as you keep your same phone number and carrier supports it. Area codes are generally portable within the broader region, especially for cell phones and VoIP lines. People often keep the same 404 or 770 number even after moving to a different part of the metro.

Using Area Codes When Doing Business in Atlanta

If you’re running a business in Atlanta, area codes can subtly shape customer expectations:

• A 404 number may feel more rooted in central Atlanta or long-established local presence.
• A 770, 678, 470, or 943 number is common and widely accepted for metro-wide services, especially in the suburbs.

Many businesses operate with multiple lines across different area codes or use toll-free numbers in addition to local ones. What matters most for customers is that the number is easy to read, easy to dial, and clearly local.

Practical Tips for Residents and Visitors

Here are quick, practical pointers for using phone numbers in Atlanta:

• ✅ Always include the area code when dialing local numbers.
• ✅ Expect new numbers to use 678, 470, or 943, even in traditional 404 or 770 areas.
• ✅ Don’t assume someone’s exact location based on their area code—many people keep numbers when they move.
• ✅ If you want a specific area code when opening a new line, ask your provider, but understand it may not be available.

Who Oversees Area Codes for Atlanta?

Area code assignments and changes for Atlanta and the rest of Georgia are coordinated at the state and national level, not by city offices. If you ever need official information on area code changes or dialing rules in Georgia, you can start with:

• Georgia Public Service Commission
  244 Washington Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30334
  Main phone (general inquiries): (404) 656-4501

They can provide general guidance on telecommunications regulations in Georgia, including area code planning, though everyday consumers typically work through their phone carriers for number-specific issues.

In day-to-day life around Atlanta, the most important thing to remember is that 404, 770, 678, 470, and 943 are all Atlanta-area codes. As long as you dial all 10 digits, you’ll be able to reach homes, businesses, and services across the metro without worrying too much about which code belongs to which neighborhood.