Atlanta, GA Area Codes: What They Are and How They Work

If you live in Atlanta, GA, visit often, or do business here, you’ll quickly notice there isn’t just one Atlanta area code—there are several. Knowing which codes cover which parts of metro Atlanta can help you recognize local calls, give the right number to friends or clients, and avoid confusion when setting up new phone service.

All Current Atlanta, GA Area Codes

Atlanta and its surrounding metro area use multiple overlapping area codes. Here are the main ones you’ll see:

All of these can be considered Atlanta area codes in some way, especially for residents who live and work across city and county lines.

404: The Classic Atlanta Area Code

404 is the original Atlanta area code, and it’s still strongly associated with the city itself.

Where you’ll most often see 404

You’re likely to see 404 numbers in:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Old Fourth Ward
• Virginia-Highland
• West Midtown
• Many of the intown neighborhoods close to the city center

Long-time Atlanta residents, older businesses, and historic organizations are especially likely to have a 404 number. It’s often viewed as the “classic” or “prestige” Atlanta code, simply because it’s been around the longest.

770: The Suburban Atlanta Area Code

As the metro area expanded, the state introduced 770 to cover the fast-growing suburbs surrounding Atlanta.

Where 770 commonly appears

You’ll often see 770 numbers in:

• Parts of Cobb County (e.g., Marietta, Smyrna)
• Gwinnett County (e.g., Norcross, Lawrenceville)
• North Fulton areas outside the core city
• Clayton, Douglas, Forsyth, and other nearby counties

If you live in a suburb and commute into Atlanta, there’s a good chance your home number or mobile number is 770, even if you work downtown.

678 and 470: Overlays for the Greater Atlanta Region

When 404 and 770 got crowded, additional overlay area codes were added so new numbers could still be assigned without changing existing ones.

678: The first major overlay

678 covers much of the same geographic region as both 404 and 770. That means a 678 number can be found:

• In central Atlanta
• In suburban cities around the metro
• On both landlines and mobile phones

470: Another overlay for more numbers

470 was added later as another overlay. It also sits on top of:

• 404
• 770
• 678

So you might live in the same apartment building where one neighbor has a 404 number, another has 770, and a new resident is assigned 470. All are still “local” to Atlanta.

943: The Newest Atlanta Overlay Code

As the region continues to grow, 943 is the newest overlay area code assigned to the greater Atlanta calling area. It’s used for new numbers only, so you’re more likely to see it on:

• Recently activated mobile phones
• New residential service
• New business lines

Even though it’s newer and less familiar, 943 is still considered an Atlanta metro area code, just like 404, 770, 678, and 470.

Do Atlanta Landlines and Cell Phones Use Different Area Codes?

In Atlanta, both landlines and cell phones can use any of the area codes that serve the region. There is no strict separation like “landlines only in 404” or “mobile only in 678.”

However, you may notice:

• Older landlines and long-established businesses are more likely to have 404 or 770
• Newer mobile phones or new business lines may be more likely to get 678, 470, or 943

Your specific code mostly depends on when and where your number was assigned, not on the type of phone.

Why Atlanta Has So Many Area Codes

Atlanta has multiple area codes because of:

1. Population growth: The metro area has grown rapidly, requiring more numbers.
2. More devices per person: Many residents and businesses have multiple lines (work, personal, fax, security systems, etc.).
3. Overlay strategy: Instead of forcing number changes, new codes were added on top of existing ones.

For residents and visitors, the practical effect is:

• More different “local” area codes to recognize
• The need to dial 10 digits (area code + number) for almost all calls, even across the street

Do You Have to Dial the Area Code in Atlanta?

Yes. In the Atlanta metro calling area, 10-digit dialing is standard:

• To call a local number, you typically dial:
  Area Code + 7-digit number
  Example: 404-555-1234

Even if you’re calling from a 404 number to another 404 number a few blocks away, you still dial all 10 digits.

This is necessary because:

• Many area codes cover the same geographic locations
• Different people and businesses in the same neighborhood may have different codes

How to Know if an Atlanta Area Code Is “Local” to You

If you’re in Atlanta or nearby suburbs, the following area codes are widely used for local numbers within the metro area:

• 404
• 770
• 678
• 470
• 943

These codes are all part of what many carriers and residents view as the greater Atlanta calling area. Whether a call is treated as “local” or “long-distance” can still depend on:

• Your specific mobile or landline plan
• The city or county where you’re physically located when calling

Most modern mobile plans treat calls across these Atlanta-area codes the same, but if you’re unsure, you can:

• Check your phone provider’s plan details
• Review your billing to see how calls to different area codes are rated

Picking an Atlanta Area Code for a New Number

If you’re moving to Atlanta or starting a local business and setting up a new number, you may wonder which code you’ll get.

Can you request a specific Atlanta area code?

Sometimes you can request a preferred area code (like 404 for a more “central Atlanta” feel), but:

• Availability depends on your carrier
• Some area codes may have very limited new numbers
• The carrier will often assign any available code serving your address

If your first choice is unavailable, you’ll likely be given 678, 470, or 943 for the Atlanta area.

Considerations for businesses

For a business in Atlanta:

• A 404 or 770 number may look familiar and “local” to many customers
• 678, 470, and 943 are more common on newer lines and are equally recognized around the region
• You may want to list the full number prominently on marketing materials so customers know it’s an Atlanta-based contact

Recognizing Atlanta Calls and Avoiding Confusion

With so many overlapping codes, it helps to know what to look for:

Common Atlanta-associated codes

If you see a call coming from:

• 404
• 770
• 678
• 470
• 943

it’s likely tied to the Atlanta metro region in some way—though with mobile numbers, remember that people can keep Atlanta numbers even after moving away.

When someone asks “What’s Atlanta’s area code?”

Many people still think of 404 first, but in day-to-day life around the city, you should treat 404, 770, 678, 470, and 943 as Atlanta area codes.

Using Area Codes When Dealing With Local Services

When filling out forms, booking services, or contacting local offices in Atlanta, you’ll often need to provide your full 10-digit phone number.

Some common situations:

• City services or permits (City of Atlanta offices in downtown often ask for a local contact number)
• Scheduling appointments with local hospitals, clinics, or service providers
• Setting up utilities in the Atlanta area
• Registering for schools or programs in Atlanta Public Schools or metro districts

Including your area code and number ensures you receive callbacks and notifications without issue, regardless of whether your code is 404, 770, 678, 470, or 943.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta, GA Area Codes

• Atlanta does not have just one area code—several are used across the metro region.
• 404 is the original and is closely associated with central Atlanta.
• 770 primarily serves the surrounding suburbs.
• 678, 470, and 943 are overlays, used throughout the greater Atlanta area for new numbers.
• 10-digit dialing (area code + number) is standard for local calls in and around Atlanta.
• All five—404, 770, 678, 470, and 943—can correctly be considered Atlanta GA area codes today.

If you live in, work in, or frequently call Atlanta, it’s helpful to recognize all of these as part of the city’s modern phone landscape.