Atlanta, Georgia Area Codes: What You Need to Know
If you’re wondering “What area code is Atlanta, Georgia?” the short answer is: Atlanta doesn’t have just one area code.
Today, the Atlanta metro uses multiple overlapping area codes that all cover different parts of the city and its suburbs.
Below is a clear guide to which area codes are used in Atlanta, how they work, and what you should know if you live in, work in, or are visiting the Atlanta area.
All Area Codes for Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta and its surrounding metro region currently use these main telephone area codes:
| Area Code | Primary Use in Atlanta Area |
|---|---|
| 404 | Historic core of Atlanta; central city and close-in areas |
| 678 | Overlay for metro Atlanta (city + suburbs) |
| 470 | Newer overlay for metro Atlanta |
| 770 | Suburban ring around Atlanta |
| 943 | Newer overlay for the existing Atlanta metro codes |
All of these area codes can be associated with Atlanta phone numbers, depending on where and when the number was assigned.
404: The Classic Atlanta Area Code
When most people think of an Atlanta area code, they think of 404.
What is 404?
- 404 is the original Atlanta area code, created long before the metro area grew into today’s larger region.
- It typically covers the city of Atlanta and nearby close-in neighborhoods, including many areas inside and near the I-285 Perimeter.
Where you’re likely to see 404 numbers
You’ll often see 404 numbers for:
- Longtime Atlanta residents
- Established local businesses and institutions
- Older landlines and some mobile numbers that were set up years ago
If someone has a 404 number, it usually signals a strong tie to “old Atlanta” or the central city, though the boundaries are not strict.
678 and 470: Overlays Across Metro Atlanta
As Atlanta grew, the 404 and 770 area codes alone were no longer enough. To handle the demand for new phone numbers, overlay area codes were added.
What does “overlay” mean?
An overlay means a new area code is applied to the same geographic area as existing codes. Instead of splitting the region, multiple area codes serve the same territory, and you’re assigned one when you get a new number.
678 Area Code
- 678 was added to provide more numbers for the Atlanta metro, covering both the city and many suburbs.
- It overlays 404 and 770, so you can see 678 numbers anywhere in the metro area, including in the City of Atlanta and surrounding counties.
You might see 678 numbers on:
- Mobile phones set up in the last couple of decades
- Newer business lines
- Suburban and in-town addresses alike
470 Area Code
- 470 is another overlay across the same general Atlanta region.
- It serves both the city of Atlanta and its suburbs, just like 678.
- Many newer cell phone numbers and some VoIP or business lines use 470.
Both 678 and 470do not signal a specific neighborhood. Instead, they simply show that the number was created after earlier area codes were running low.
770: The Suburban Atlanta Area Code
While 404 is closely tied to the city itself, 770 is more commonly associated with Atlanta’s suburbs.
Where 770 is often used
The 770 area code is widely used in the ring of suburban communities around Atlanta, including (but not limited to):
- Cobb County (e.g., Marietta, Smyrna)
- Gwinnett County (e.g., Duluth, Lawrenceville)
- North Fulton areas outside the City of Atlanta (e.g., Roswell, Alpharetta)
- Parts of DeKalb, Clayton, and Douglas counties
Many residents in these suburbs may say they are “from Atlanta” but have a 770 number rather than a 404.
943: The Newest Atlanta Metro Area Code
As Atlanta continues to grow, additional numbers are still needed. The 943 area code was introduced as a new overlay for the existing Atlanta metro area codes.
What to know about 943
- 943 works just like 678 and 470, overlapping the same general Atlanta region.
- It doesn’t replace 404, 770, 678, or 470; it simply adds more available phone numbers.
- New Atlanta-area lines—especially mobile numbers—may now be assigned 943.
If you come across a 943 number, it can absolutely be an Atlanta or Atlanta-area number, even though it may feel less familiar.
Do All Atlanta Phone Numbers Start with 404?
No. Many Atlanta residents and businesses do not have a 404 area code.
Today, an Atlanta-based number can have any of these area codes:
- 404
- 678
- 470
- 770
- 943
Because of overlays and how carriers assign numbers, your phone number’s area code doesn’t always match your exact neighborhood. Someone living in Midtown, Buckhead, or East Atlanta could have 404, 678, 470, or 943, depending on when they got the number and from which carrier.
Calling Within Atlanta: Dialing Rules
Because Atlanta uses multiple overlay area codes, 10-digit dialing is required.
Local dialing basics in Atlanta
When you’re calling from Atlanta (or to Atlanta):
- You must dial: area code + 7-digit phone number
- This applies even if you’re just calling a neighbor across the street.
- For some carriers, you may still start with 1 for long-distance-style dialing (e.g., 1 + area code + number), but for local calls inside the metro area, the key requirement is using the full 10 digits.
Why 10-digit dialing is required
With overlays (404/678/470/770/943 all serving overlapping areas), there may be multiple phone numbers with the same 7 digits but different area codes.
Using all 10 digits makes sure the call goes to the right person or business.
If You’re Moving To or Within Atlanta
If you’re relocating to Atlanta—or just changing neighborhoods within the metro—your area code situation will usually look like this:
Can you keep your existing number?
- Many people moving to Atlanta from other states or cities keep their old area code (for example, 212, 305, 202, etc.).
- Most mobile carriers allow you to keep your number, even if the area code is not from Georgia.
- In daily life, Atlanta residents are used to seeing non-Georgia area codes, especially on mobile phones.
Getting a new local Atlanta number
If you start a new line in Atlanta, your new number could have any of the current Atlanta-area codes, typically:
- 404
- 678
- 470
- 770
- 943
You generally cannot choose your exact area code, though some providers may give options if they have numbers available.
If having a 404 number matters to you for branding or personal reasons, you may need to:
- Check with different phone carriers
- Explore virtual or VoIP providers that offer specific area code selection, subject to inventory
How Area Codes Relate to Atlanta Neighborhoods
In day-to-day life, your Atlanta address and your area code are loosely connected but not guaranteed to match in a clear way.
General patterns (not strict rules)
- 404 – Frequently appears for in-town Atlanta addresses, especially long-standing landlines or older mobile numbers.
- 770 – Often associated with suburban addresses outside the City of Atlanta.
- 678 / 470 / 943 – Common in both city and suburbs, especially newer mobile or business lines.
Because of number portability and overlays, it’s normal to:
- Live in Downtown Atlanta with a 770 or 678 number.
- Live in Marietta or Alpharetta with a 404 number if you kept your old city number.
- Run a business in Buckhead or Midtown using 678, 470, or 943.
In other words, your area code alone does not pinpoint which Atlanta neighborhood you’re in.
Using Atlanta Area Codes for Business
If you operate a business in Atlanta—whether in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, or the suburbs—you may think carefully about your phone number.
Perception and branding
Many Atlanta businesses:
- View a 404 number as a classic “inside the Perimeter” signal.
- Are equally comfortable with 678, 470, 770, and 943, since locals now recognize all of these as “Atlanta-area” numbers.
- Use toll-free numbers alongside local numbers for customers outside Georgia.
What most local customers care about more than the specific digits is that:
- The number is easy to remember
- Calls are answered reliably
- Voicemail and text options are clear and professional
Multiple numbers
Some businesses in Atlanta may:
- Maintain a 404 or 770 number for their main line
- Use additional 678, 470, or 943 numbers for:
- Individual staff members
- Direct extensions
- Marketing lines or SMS-only lines
This is common and generally not confusing for local customers.
Checking Whether a Number Is from Atlanta
If you see a phone number and wonder whether it’s likely tied to Atlanta, here’s a simple guide.
Atlanta-related area codes
Numbers starting with the following area codes could be from Atlanta or its metro area:
- 404
- 678
- 470
- 770
- 943
However:
- Some of these codes, especially 770, 678, 470, and 943, can also be used in surrounding cities and counties outside the strict city limits of Atlanta.
- Because numbers are portable, someone may move away from Atlanta and still keep an Atlanta-area code.
If you specifically need to verify a number (for example, a government office or major institution), it’s best to:
- Cross-check the number on the organization’s official website or printed materials.
- Call publicly listed main switchboards when available (e.g., for large organizations in Downtown or Midtown).
Atlanta Government and Public Service Numbers (Examples)
To see Atlanta-area codes in action, here are a few commonly referenced public service lines. These can change over time, so always confirm through official channels if you need the most current details.
City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office (City Hall)
Main line typically uses a 404 area code.
City Hall is located at:
55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303Atlanta Police Department (non-emergency)
Non-emergency lines in Atlanta are commonly in the 404 range.
For emergencies anywhere in Atlanta, dial 911.Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport information lines and some offices often use 404 numbers.
The airport is just south of downtown Atlanta, off I-75/I-85.
These examples show how 404 remains prominent for central public institutions, even as newer area codes are widely used by businesses and residents.
Key Takeaways for Atlanta, Georgia Area Codes
To quickly recap:
- Atlanta does not have a single area code.
- The main Atlanta, Georgia area codes are:
404, 678, 470, 770, and 943. - 404 is the historic Atlanta area code, most associated with the city core.
- 770 is widely used in the suburban ring around Atlanta.
- 678, 470, and 943 are overlay codes used across both city and suburbs.
- 10-digit dialing (area code + number) is required for local calls in the Atlanta metro.
- Your area code does not necessarily reflect your exact neighborhood, especially with mobile phones and number portability.
If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are setting up a local line, any of these area codes can be considered normal and valid for the Atlanta area.