Atlanta, Georgia Phone Codes: Area Codes, How to Dial, and Local Tips
If you live in Atlanta, do business here, or are planning a visit, understanding the Atlanta, Georgia phone code system makes it easier to stay connected. Between multiple area codes, mandatory 10‑digit dialing, and frequent spam calls, Atlanta’s phone landscape can be confusing at first.
This guide walks you through the key phone codes for Atlanta, how to dial from inside and outside the city, and what to know about using phones locally.
The Main Phone Codes for Atlanta, Georgia
When people say “Atlanta Georgia phone code,” they usually mean one (or more) of these:
- Country code for the United States: +1
- Georgia state code: Georgia does not have a separate “state code” for dialing; you use +1 and an area code.
- Atlanta area codes (local phone codes):
- 404
- 470
- 678
- 770
- 943 (newer overlay in metro Atlanta)
These metro Atlanta area codes overlap and cover many of the same regions, so you can’t identify a specific neighborhood just from the code. Still, some patterns are common:
- 404 – Historically central Atlanta and close‑in neighborhoods
- 678 / 470 / 943 – Overlay codes across metro Atlanta
- 770 – Widely used in the suburbs around the city (though there are overlaps)
Because of these overlaps, Atlanta uses 10‑digit dialing for all local calls.
Quick Reference: Atlanta Phone Codes at a Glance
| Type of Code | Code | What It’s Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Country code | +1 | Dialing the United States from abroad |
| Classic Atlanta code | 404 | Central/inner Atlanta & nearby areas |
| Metro overlay codes | 678 | Metro Atlanta (overlay with 404, 470, 943) |
| 470 | Metro Atlanta overlay | |
| 943 | Newer metro Atlanta overlay | |
| Suburban metro code | 770 | Metro/suburban Atlanta (overlay with others) |
| Emergency number | 911 | Police, fire, medical emergency |
| Non-emergency help | 311 | City of Atlanta non-emergency services (inside city limits) |
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Atlanta
1. Calling a Local Atlanta Number (Within the U.S.)
Inside Atlanta and the rest of the United States, you must use 10 digits:
- Format:
area code + 7‑digit phone number
Example:
If someone in Downtown Atlanta gives you their number as 404‑555‑1234:
- From anywhere in metro Atlanta or the U.S.:
Dial 404‑555‑1234 - Many cell phones work whether or not you add “1” in front, but the general format is:
- 1‑404‑555‑1234
Because of overlays, never assume a 7‑digit number is enough. Landlines and cell phones both typically require all 10 digits.
2. Calling Atlanta From Another Country
If you’re outside the United States and want to call Atlanta:
- Dial your country’s international access code (often 00 or 011, depending on where you are).
- Dial the U.S. country code: 1
- Dial the Atlanta area code: 404, 470, 678, 770, or 943
- Dial the 7‑digit local number
Example from abroad:international access code + 1 + 404 + xxx‑xxxx
For a number 404‑555‑1234, you’d dial:
+1‑404‑555‑1234
On many mobile phones, you can hold the “0” key to enter “+”, then dial:
+1 404 555 1234
Understanding Atlanta’s Area Codes
The Classic: 404
404 is the best‑known Atlanta area code, often associated with:
- Downtown
- Midtown
- Buckhead
- Old Fourth Ward
- West End and nearby intown neighborhoods
Because 404 numbers are limited, new numbers in these areas might instead use 678, 470, or 943, even if the address is in the city core.
The Overlays: 678, 470, and 943
To handle growth, Atlanta uses overlay area codes, which cover the same geographic region as existing codes.
- 678 – Widely used across metro Atlanta; you’ll see it on both city and suburban numbers.
- 470 – Another overlay that can appear anywhere in the metro area.
- 943 – A newer overlay also tied into the metro Atlanta network.
These overlays mean two neighbors in the same apartment building—say in Midtown—might have completely different area codes (404, 678, or 470), but both numbers are equally “Atlanta.”
770: Metro and Suburban Atlanta
The 770 code is closely associated with metro and suburban Atlanta. You’ll see it a lot in:
- Sandy Springs
- Marietta
- Roswell
- Alpharetta
- Duluth
- Lawrenceville
- Other surrounding communities
However, boundaries are not strict. Some addresses that people consider “Atlanta” or “metro Atlanta” might use 770, 404, 678, 470, or 943 depending on the carrier and number assignment.
Why Atlanta Uses 10‑Digit Dialing
Because there are multiple overlapping codes (404, 470, 678, 770, 943) covering the same geographic area, Atlanta requires:
- 10‑digit dialing for all local calls
- You must always include the area code, even if you’re calling next door.
This applies to:
- Landlines
- Cell phones
- VoIP services (like home internet‑based phones)
If you moved to Atlanta from a smaller town where you could once dial only 7 digits for local calls, this change is often one of the first things you notice.
Common Special Phone Codes in Atlanta
Beyond standard area codes, several short codes and service codes are useful if you live in or visit Atlanta.
Emergency & Non-Emergency Numbers
- 911 – For life‑threatening emergencies (police, fire, medical) anywhere in Atlanta or Georgia.
- 311 – For many non‑emergency city services within the City of Atlanta limits, such as:
- Reporting potholes or streetlight issues
- Asking about trash pickup schedules
- General questions about city services
If you’re outside the City of Atlanta but still in the metro area (for example, in unincorporated Fulton County or a nearby suburb), local governments may have separate non‑emergency numbers.
Police Non-Emergency in Atlanta
For non‑emergency police matters (like a past incident report where no one is in immediate danger), you can use the Atlanta Police Department non‑emergency number:
- Atlanta Police Non-Emergency: 404‑658‑6666
Atlanta Public Safety Headquarters
226 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Always use 911 if there is an immediate threat to life, safety, or property.
Using Your Phone While Visiting Atlanta
If you’re traveling to Atlanta, how you use phone codes depends on where your number is from.
Visitors from Other U.S. States
If your phone number is from another U.S. state:
- You don’t have to change anything about your number while in Atlanta.
- You’ll dial local Atlanta numbers the same way you do elsewhere in the U.S.:
- 1 + area code + number or just area code + number, depending on your phone/carrier.
- Be ready for 10‑digit dialing for any local call.
International Visitors
If you’re visiting Atlanta from another country:
- Most modern smartphones will work if you:
- Enable roaming, or
- Use a U.S. SIM card or eSIM.
- To call Atlanta numbers:
- If you’re already in Atlanta with a U.S. SIM, you simply dial area code + 7‑digit number.
- If you’re still abroad, dial +1 + Atlanta area code + local number.
If you plan a longer stay in Atlanta, many visitors choose a local Atlanta number (with any of the area codes) through a U.S. carrier or prepaid SIM to make local calls cheaper and easier.
Business and Government Contacts in Atlanta: Using the Right Phone Code
When dealing with Atlanta‑based organizations, you’ll typically encounter one of the local codes (404, 470, 678, 770, 943). A few useful examples:
City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office & General Information
Many city departments use 404 numbers.
City Hall
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Official airport numbers often use 404 or 800‑style toll‑free codes.
Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320Georgia State Government Offices in Atlanta
State offices in Atlanta (like the Georgia State Capitol) commonly use 404 or 470 numbers.
Georgia State Capitol
206 Washington Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
When calling any of these from outside the U.S., remember to use:
+1 + area code + number
Dealing With Spam and Unknown Calls in Atlanta Area Codes
Residents in Atlanta often report high volumes of spam or robocalls, sometimes appearing from familiar‑looking 404, 678, 470, 770, or 943 numbers. A few simple habits can help:
- Be skeptical of unknown numbers, even if they match your area code.
- Many people in Atlanta:
- Let unknown calls go to voicemail, then return the call only if it’s legitimate.
- Use built‑in spam detection tools provided by carriers and smartphone operating systems.
- Be cautious with calls that:
- Demand immediate payment
- Ask for personal information
- Claim to be from government agencies but use high‑pressure tactics
Real Atlanta‑based agencies (like the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, or Georgia state offices) typically do not demand sensitive information or payment solely by phone.
Tips for Setting Up a New Phone Number in Atlanta
Whether you’re moving to Atlanta or opening a business, you may want a local number:
Decide if the specific area code matters to you
- Many long‑time residents see 404 as “classic Atlanta,” but all Atlanta codes function the same.
- For branding, some businesses prefer 404; others are fine with any metro code (678, 470, 770, 943).
Know that you can often keep your old number
- If you’re relocating to Atlanta from another U.S. city, most carriers allow you to keep your existing number.
- However, a local code can make you easier to recognize as Atlanta‑based.
Ask your carrier about available codes
- When signing up for new service in Atlanta, carriers may offer choices among 404, 678, 470, 770, or 943, depending on current availability.
Use full 10‑digit formats in your contact info
- On business cards, websites, and signage in Atlanta, list your number as:
- (404) 555‑1234 or 404‑555‑1234
- On business cards, websites, and signage in Atlanta, list your number as:
Key Takeaways for Atlanta, Georgia Phone Codes
- The country code for calling Atlanta from abroad is +1.
- The main Atlanta area codes are 404, 470, 678, 770, and 943.
- Atlanta uses 10‑digit dialing for all local calls; always include the area code.
- To call Atlanta from overseas, use:
+1 + Atlanta area code + 7‑digit number. - 911 is for emergencies; 311 can help with many city services inside Atlanta city limits.
- Multiple area codes overlap the same metro area, so the code alone doesn’t precisely define the neighborhood.
Understanding these phone codes makes it easier to communicate, set up services, and recognize local calls while living in, visiting, or doing business in Atlanta, Georgia.