Atlanta Area Codes: What They Are and How to Use Them

If you live in Atlanta, travel here often, or are trying to reach someone in the city, it helps to know that Atlanta does not have just one area code. Instead, the Atlanta metro area uses multiple overlaying area codes that all serve the same general region.

The major area codes for Atlanta, Georgia, are:

• 404
• 470
• 678
• 770
• 943 (newer overlay)

Understanding how these Atlanta area codes work will make it easier to dial local numbers, set up phone service, and recognize where calls might be coming from.

Main Area Codes for Atlanta, Georgia

The original Atlanta area code: 404

404 is the historic and most recognized area code for Atlanta. It mainly covers the City of Atlanta and nearby intown communities, commonly associated with:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• East Atlanta and surrounding neighborhoods inside or near the I-285 perimeter

Many long-time Atlanta residents and businesses still have 404 numbers, and the code has become part of the city’s identity.

770: Suburban Atlanta and the perimeter

As the region grew, 770 was added to serve many suburban areas outside the I-285 perimeter, including parts of:

• Cobb County (Marietta, Smyrna)
• Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville, Duluth, Norcross)
• North Fulton (Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek)
• Other surrounding metro communities

If you’re calling a business or home in the metro suburbs, you’ll often see a 770 number.

678 and 470: Overlays for the Atlanta metro

Because Atlanta’s population and phone usage kept growing, 678 and later 470 were introduced as overlay area codes. That means:

• They cover the same geographic region as 404 and 770.
• New phone lines in both the city and suburbs may receive a 678 or 470 number.
• You can’t tell exactly where in metro Atlanta a number is located just by these codes.

It’s common for new cell phones, internet-based lines, and some home services to be issued 678 or 470 numbers, even for addresses in the heart of Atlanta.

943: The newest overlay area code

More recently, 943 was added as another overlay area code for the Atlanta metro. As existing codes fill up, new numbers in the region may be assigned a 943 area code.

You may not see 943 as often yet, but it functions just like 404, 470, 678, and 770 in the Atlanta area.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Area Codes at a Glance

How to Dial Atlanta Phone Numbers

Local dialing within Atlanta

Because of the multiple overlay area codes, 10-digit dialing is standard in the Atlanta area. That means you must dial:

Even if you’re calling:

• From Midtown to Buckhead
• From Decatur to Downtown
• From a 404 number to another 404 number

You still generally need to include the area code.

Dialing Atlanta from outside the area

If you’re calling Atlanta from another U.S. city:

1. Dial 1 (long-distance code in the U.S. and Canada)
2. Dial the Atlanta area code (404, 470, 678, 770, or 943)
3. Dial the 7-digit local number

Example:
Calling an Atlanta number 404-555-1234 from outside Georgia:

Dialing Atlanta from outside the United States

If you are calling Atlanta from another country:

1. Dial your country’s international access code (for example, 00 or 011 from many countries)
2. Dial 1 for the United States’ country code
3. Dial the Atlanta area code
4. Dial the 7-digit number

Example:
From many countries, to call 678-555-9876 in Atlanta:

Which Atlanta Area Code Will I Get?

If you are moving to Atlanta or signing up for new service, you might wonder which area code you will receive.

Common patterns include:

• Long-time residents and legacy business lines often have 404 or 770 numbers.
• Newer cell phones and VoIP lines are frequently 678, 470, or 943.
• Location matters less than it used to. A condo in Downtown Atlanta could have a 678 number; a business in Alpharetta could have a 404 or 470 number.

When you set up service with a phone carrier in Atlanta, you can sometimes request a specific area code (especially 404) if there are still numbers available, but availability is not guaranteed.

Recognizing Atlanta Calls by Area Code

If you see any of these on your caller ID, there’s a good chance the call is from the Atlanta metro region:

• 404
• 470
• 678
• 770
• 943

However, keep in mind:

• People often keep their Atlanta numbers even after moving away.
• Businesses may use toll-free or out-of-area numbers instead of local area codes.
• Spam or robocallers sometimes spoof Atlanta area codes, so an Atlanta code doesn’t guarantee the call is legitimate.

👉 When in doubt, especially if the call is unexpected and asks for sensitive information, consider calling the business back using a trusted phone number (such as one listed on an official bill, government agency directory, or posted at a physical location).

Using Area Codes for Everyday Atlanta Tasks

Setting up utilities, schools, and local contacts

When you fill out forms for:

• City of Atlanta services (like water at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW)
• Fulton County or DeKalb County agencies
• Local schools, doctors, or employers

You’ll almost always be asked for your full 10-digit phone number including area code. Make sure you list the correct area code, not just the last seven digits.

Emergency and government services

For emergency help in Atlanta, area codes do not matter:

• Dial 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies anywhere in Atlanta or the surrounding counties.

For non-emergency city or county services:

• City of Atlanta general information often uses 404 numbers.
• Fulton County and DeKalb County offices frequently use 404, 470, or 678 numbers.

When saving these in your phone, always include the area code so they work correctly across networks and devices.

Common Questions About Atlanta Area Codes

Is 404 still considered the “Atlanta” area code?

Yes.404 is still widely seen as the classic Atlanta city area code, especially for:

• Older landlines
• Long-established local businesses
• Long-time residents

However, from a practical standpoint, 404, 470, 678, 770, and 943 are all Atlanta-area codes today.

Do area codes affect call cost within Atlanta?

For most modern phone plans (mobile or home), local vs. long-distance inside the Atlanta metro no longer depends heavily on area code. Many plans treat all U.S. calls the same.

Still, if you’re using:

• A prepaid calling card
• A limited landline plan
• International roaming

It may be worth checking whether different area codes within Georgia are treated the same under your specific plan.

Can I keep my Atlanta number if I move to another part of the city?

In most cases, yes. With number portability, you can usually:

• Move from Midtown to Decatur, or
• From Downtown to a suburb like Marietta or Sandy Springs,

and keep your same 404/470/678/770/943 number, as long as your carrier supports it in your new location.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Here are a few simple habits that make dealing with Atlanta area codes easier:

• Always share your full 10-digit number.
  When giving your number to friends, delivery services, or local businesses, include the area code.

• Program contacts with area codes.
  Save numbers as 404-XXX-XXXX, not just seven digits, so they work correctly when you travel or change devices.

• Expect mixed area codes in one household or office.
  It’s normal in Atlanta for different family members or coworkers to have different area codes, even if everyone lives or works in the same building.

• Don’t assume geography from the area code alone.
  A 678 or 470 number could belong to someone living in Downtown Atlanta, Alpharetta, or anywhere else in the metro.

In summary, if you’re asking “What is the area code for Atlanta, Georgia?”, the most accurate answer is that Atlanta uses multiple area codes—primarily 404, 470, 678, 770, and 943. All of these are part of the modern Atlanta phone landscape, and knowing how they work will help you call, text, and set up services around the city with confidence.