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

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ve probably seen a mix of 404, 770, 678, and 470 on phones, billboards, and business cards. These are the main Atlanta area codes, and understanding how they’re used can help whether you’re setting up service, moving to the city, or just trying to figure out who’s calling you.

This guide walks through every major area code tied to Atlanta, how they’re assigned, and what it means for your phone service and daily life in the city.

The Main Area Codes for Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta doesn’t have just one area code. It has a cluster of overlapping codes that cover the city and its suburbs.

Primary Atlanta Area Codes

Most common Atlanta-related area codes include:

• 404 – The original Atlanta area code
• 770 – Surrounding metro suburbs
• 678 – Overlay for both 404 and 770
• 470 – Newer overlay covering much of the metro region
• 943 – Newer overlay for the wider north Georgia region (less common but may show up)

Quick Reference Table: Key Atlanta Area Codes

Because of overlays, you can’t rely on an area code alone to tell exactly where in metro Atlanta a number is based, but you can get a general sense that the number is tied to the region.

404: Atlanta’s Original Area Code

The 404 area code is strongly associated with Atlanta proper and has become part of the city’s identity.

Commonly, 404 numbers are found in or around:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Old Fourth Ward
• West End and West Midtown
• Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and other intown neighborhoods

For someone moving to or living in the city, a 404 number is often seen as a “classic” Atlanta number. However, because numbers are limited, not everyone can get one, especially with new accounts.

770: Metro Atlanta Suburbs

As Atlanta grew outward, the 770 area code was introduced mainly for suburbs surrounding the city. You’ll often see 770 numbers in places like:

• Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta
• Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw
• Duluth, Lawrenceville, Norcross
• Douglasville, Lithia Springs
• Peachtree City and surrounding southside suburbs

Over time, the lines between 404 and 770 areas have blurred as the metro area expanded. Some neighborhoods and businesses close to Atlanta may use 770 even if they feel “very Atlanta.”

678 and 470: Overlay Codes Across Metro Atlanta

Because both 404 and 770 became crowded, overlay area codes were added.

678 Area Code

The 678 area code covers both city and suburbs, acting as an overlay to:

• 404 (central Atlanta)
• 770 (suburban Atlanta)

If you see a 678 number, it can belong to:

• A resident in intown Atlanta
• A business in the suburbs
• A mobile phone used anywhere in the region

470 Area Code

The 470 area code is another overlay across a large part of metro Atlanta and surrounding north Georgia. Like 678, it doesn’t map to a specific city or neighborhood.

For everyday use, 678 and 470 work just like 404 and 770, but:

• They are more commonly assigned to new lines.
• They help ensure phone carriers have enough numbers for the growing population.

Why Atlanta Has So Many Area Codes

Atlanta’s multiple area codes are mainly due to:

• Population growth – Metro Atlanta has expanded rapidly, with people moving into the city and suburbs from across the country and world.
• More devices per person – Many residents now carry:
  • Personal mobile phones
  • Work phones
  • Tablets or devices with data-only lines
• Business expansion – Companies, call centers, and service providers all need large blocks of numbers.

To keep up, regulators expanded from one area code to multiple overlays, instead of repeatedly changing everyone’s number.

10-Digit Dialing in Atlanta

Because of the overlays, 10-digit dialing is standard in the Atlanta area. That means:

• You must dial area code + 7-digit number, even for local calls.
• Local calls within 404, 770, 678, 470, or other nearby area codes still count as local if your phone plan allows it, but you must use all 10 digits.

This applies:

• On cell phones
• On landlines
• For business and home phones around Atlanta

If you recently moved from a smaller town with only one area code, this can take some adjustment, but it’s now a normal part of living or working in metro Atlanta.

Getting a New Atlanta Phone Number

If you’re setting up a new phone in Atlanta (mobile or landline), here’s what to expect:

Can You Choose Your Area Code?

It often depends on:

• Your carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.)
• Number availability in your preferred area code
• Whether you’re setting up a mobile line or a landline/VoIP

In many cases:

• Carriers may assign a 678 or 470 number by default.
• 404 and 770 numbers may be limited or unavailable in certain parts of the metro area.

You can usually ask your carrier if a specific area code is available, but it is not always guaranteed.

Keeping Your Old Number

If you are moving to Atlanta from somewhere else in Georgia or another state:

• You can typically keep your existing number and transfer it to your new carrier through number portability, as long as it is supported.
• Many Atlanta residents use out-of-state numbers (for example, from Florida, New York, or California) and have no issues with daily use.

Recognizing Atlanta Numbers When You Get a Call

If you receive a call and want to know whether it might be from Atlanta or nearby, look for these area codes commonly associated with the metro region:

• 404
• 770
• 678
• 470
• Occasionally 943

However, a few important points:

• Spam and robocalls can spoof local area codes, including 404, 770, 678, and 470.
• A local-sounding area code does not guarantee the call is really from Atlanta.
• For unknown or suspicious calls, many residents:
  • Let calls go to voicemail
  • Use built-in spam filters on smartphones
  • Adjust call blocking settings through their carrier

Atlanta Area Codes and Business Perception

In Atlanta, area codes sometimes carry a bit of local culture and branding:

• 404 is often seen as distinctly “Atlanta” and may be perceived as more “intown” or city-based.
• 770 can suggest a business or customer base in the suburbs.
• 678 and 470 are widely used and accepted across the city and suburbs, especially for newer businesses and mobile-first operations.

Some businesses, particularly in hospitality, entertainment, and local services, prefer a 404 number if available, because it’s strongly associated with the city. That said, most consumers are now accustomed to all four major codes and do not treat one as more “legitimate” than another.

How Area Codes Affect Calling Costs in Atlanta

With most modern phone plans:

• Area code alone does not determine cost.
• Many mobile plans classify calls within the United States as domestic, regardless of which U.S. area code you’re dialing.
• Landline plans can vary more, especially in older service packages.

To avoid surprises:

• Check whether your plan distinguishes local, regional, and long-distance calls.
• Confirm how calls to and from 404, 770, 678, 470, and other Georgia codes are billed, especially for:
  • Older landline setups
  • Business phone systems with special routing

For specific questions about charges in Atlanta, you can contact your phone service provider’s local customer support number (for example, AT&T or Comcast/Xfinity regional support centers operating throughout metro Atlanta).

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

For residents:

• Save key local numbers (schools, utilities, city services) with the full 10 digits.
• When filling out forms or directories, always include area code + number; Atlanta is a multi-area-code region.
• Don’t be surprised if neighbors on the same street have a mix of 404, 770, 678, and 470 numbers.

For visitors and people relocating to Atlanta:

• Any of the metro-area codes (404, 770, 678, 470) are normal and widely used.
• If you want a “classic” Atlanta feel, you can ask your carrier about a 404 number, but availability is not guaranteed.
• Your existing number from another state will usually work fine here; most local services and contacts rely more on saved contacts and text messaging than on recognizing area codes.

For businesses:

• Consider whether your customers are mostly intown, suburban, or spread across metro Atlanta.
• If branding matters, you may prefer a 404 or 770 number, but a 678 or 470 number typically functions just as effectively.
• For multiple lines (main line, customer service, departments), a consistent area code can make your contact information easier to remember.

Who Manages Area Codes in Atlanta?

Area codes in Atlanta and throughout Georgia are overseen at the national level, but local phone service implementation is handled by phone carriers operating in the region.

If you run into issues like:

• Area code conflicts
• Confusion about local vs. long-distance billing
• Number assignment problems

You can often start with:

• Your phone company’s customer service, or
• The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), based in Atlanta, which regulates utilities and can provide guidance or point you to the right resource.

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

They do not assign specific numbers to consumers, but they are a useful reference if you have questions about telecommunications rules in the state.

Understanding area codes in Atlanta, Georgia mainly comes down to knowing that 404, 770, 678, and 470 all belong to the greater Atlanta region, with overlays and 10-digit dialing as the norm. Whether you are planning a move, opening a business, or just sorting your contacts, knowing how these codes work helps you navigate communication across the city and its suburbs more confidently.