Direct answer
Area code 212 serves Manhattan only, in New York City in New York. It is in the Eastern Time, and ten-digit dialing is required there.
Facts
| Area code | 212 |
| State | New York (NY) |
| Region | Manhattan only, in New York City |
| Time zone | Eastern Time |
| Overlays | 212/332/646 |
| In service since | 1947 (NANPA tool date: 1 January 1947) |
| Dialing rule | Yes — ten-digit dialing is required in this overlay area. |
Areas covered
The 212 footprint covers the Financial District, Midtown, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, Harlem, and Washington Heights. That list describes the area the code serves today, not the larger territory it may have covered when it was first assigned. New York is entirely in the Eastern Time Zone for this footprint. Callers in this area should always dial the full ten-digit number, including the area code, even for a local call.
History
Area code 212 is an original 1947 code that once covered all five boroughs of New York City. The outer boroughs split off as 718 in 1984, leaving 212 with Manhattan. Area code 646 was added as a Manhattan overlay, and NANPA records 646 in service on 1 July 1999, settling an earlier claim that it dated to 1997. Area code 332 was added later, in June 2017, under New York Public Service Commission Case 15-C-0168. Marble Hill is legally part of Manhattan, but its numbers fall in the 718/347 complex rather than in 212, as NANPA Planning Letter PL-630 describes that complex’s area.
Dialing
Dialing rule: Yes — ten-digit dialing is required in this overlay area. The reason is the overlay structure in the facts table above, except where this page states a different reason, as it does for 616. From outside the United States, the country code for the United States is 1, followed by the area code and the local number. This page explains the area code only; it does not identify who owns a number or where a phone is.
Calls and spoofing
A call that shows a familiar area code is not proof of who is calling. Caller ID can be spoofed, so a number that looks local may come from anywhere. Do not share personal or financial details because of the number on the screen, and hang up and call back on a number you trust if a caller asks for money, codes, or account access. This site does not identify callers or phone owners, and it does not list reported spam numbers.
Related codes
646, 332 (overlays); 347 (Batch 1, outer-borough complex); 917 (citywide, not Manhattan-only).
Frequently asked questions
Where is 212 area code?
Area code 212 is in New York, covering Manhattan only, in New York City. It does not cover the whole state.
What time zone is 212 area code?
Area code 212 is in the Eastern Time. New York is entirely in the Eastern Time Zone for this footprint.
What area codes overlay 212?
The overlay codes for 212 are 646; 332 (917 is citywide, not a Manhattan-only geographic overlay). The full overlay group is 212/332/646. New numbers in the same territory can carry any code in the group.
Is 212 area code a scam?
No area code is itself a scam. Scammers can spoof any area code, including this one, so judge a call by what the caller asks for, not by the number shown. This site does not identify callers.
When did 212 area code go into service?
Area code 212 has been in service since 1947 (NANPA tool date: 1 January 1947).
Sources
NANPA area code search; NANPA Planning Letter PL-630; New York Public Service Commission Case 15-C-0168
Based on a recent search of NANPA and official sources.
This website provides general information about North American area codes, compiled from public sources including NANPA. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC, NANPA or any telephone carrier. Area code details can change; confirm with your carrier or the official NANPA website. This site does not identify callers or phone owners.