Direct answer
Area code 404 serves Atlanta inside the I-285 Perimeter in Georgia. It is in the Eastern Time, and ten-digit dialing is required there.
Facts
| Area code | 404 |
| State | Georgia (GA) |
| Region | Atlanta inside the I-285 Perimeter |
| Time zone | Eastern Time |
| Overlays | 404/470/678/943 |
| 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 404 footprint covers Atlanta, Decatur, East Point, College Park, and central Fulton and DeKalb counties, plus a small part of northern Clayton County. That list describes the area the code serves today, not the larger territory it may have covered when it was first assigned. Georgia 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 404 is an original 1947 code that once covered all of Georgia. Area code 912 split off in 1954, and 706 split off in May 1992 for the area outside metro Atlanta. Area code 770 split off in August 1995 for the suburban ring outside the I-285 Perimeter, leaving 404 with the city core inside the Perimeter. Area code 678 was added in January 1998 as Georgia’s first overlay, across 404 and 770. Area code 470 entered service in February 2010, and 943 was added in March 2022. The 404 footprint itself stays inside the Perimeter: the wider metro area, including the 770 suburbs, shares the 678, 470, and 943 overlay family, but 770 territory is not described here as 404 territory.
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
470, 678, 943 (overlays); 770 (suburban ring — same wider metro overlay family, not 404’s own footprint).
Frequently asked questions
Where is 404 area code?
Area code 404 is in Georgia, covering Atlanta inside the I-285 Perimeter. It does not cover the whole state.
What time zone is 404 area code?
Area code 404 is in the Eastern Time. Georgia is entirely in the Eastern Time Zone for this footprint.
What area codes overlay 404?
The overlay codes for 404 are 470; 678; 943. The full overlay group is 404/470/678/943. New numbers in the same territory can carry any code in the group.
Is 404 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 404 area code go into service?
Area code 404 has been in service since 1947 (NANPA tool date: 1 January 1947).
Sources
NANPA area code search; List of Georgia area codes
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.