Area code 908 covers central and northwestern New Jersey, including most of Union, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties, plus parts of Morris and northern Middlesex counties. Well-known places with 908 numbers include Elizabeth, Union, Linden, Plainfield, Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Somerville, Bridgewater, Flemington, Clinton, Phillipsburg and Hackettstown. The code was created on June 8, 1991, when it split from area code 201, and it was cut down to its current western area on January 1, 1997, when the eastern part became area code 732. Area code 908 uses Eastern Time. Along with South Jersey’s 856, it is one of only two New Jersey area codes that do not yet have an overlay code. Callers have had to dial 10 digits (area code plus number) for local calls since 2021.
Key Takeaways
- Location: central and northwest New Jersey.
- Counties: Union, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren, plus parts of Morris and Middlesex.
- Created: June 8, 1991, split from 201.
- 732 split: the eastern portion became 732 on January 1, 1997.
- No overlay yet: 908 and 856 are the only NJ codes without one.
- Dialing: 10-digit dialing required for local calls since 2021.
- Time zone: Eastern Time.
Details come from telephone numbering records and published references, reviewed before publication. Numbering plans can change, so check with your phone carrier for the latest dialing rules.
Area Code 908 at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| State | New Jersey |
| Region | Central and northwest New Jersey |
| In service since | June 8, 1991 |
| Created from | Area code 201 |
| Later split | 732 created January 1, 1997 |
| Overlay | None yet |
| Time zone | Eastern (ET) |
| Local dialing | 10 digits |
Counties in Area Code 908
| County | Coverage | Examples of towns |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Most of the county | Elizabeth, Union, Linden, Plainfield, Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Berkeley Heights |
| Somerset | Most of the county | Somerville, Bridgewater, Bernardsville, Basking Ridge, Hillsborough |
| Hunterdon | Most of the county | Flemington, Clinton, High Bridge, Lebanon, Readington |
| Warren | Most of the county | Phillipsburg, Hackettstown, Washington, Belvidere |
| Morris | Southwestern part | Parts of Chester, Long Valley and nearby areas |
| Middlesex | Northern part | South Plainfield and parts of Edison and Piscataway |
Area code boundaries follow old telephone exchange lines rather than town borders, so a few towns near the edges have a mix of codes. Cell phone numbers also move with their owners, so you may see 908 numbers anywhere in the country.
History of Area Code 908
For decades, all of northern and central New Jersey used area code 201, one of the original area codes created in 1947. By the late 1980s, the growth of fax machines, pagers and second phone lines was using up available numbers. On June 8, 1991, the western and southern parts of the 201 region were given the new area code 908, which at launch served about 1.5 million phone lines.
Growth continued, and on January 1, 1997, 908 was split again. The eastern shore and central areas, including much of Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties, moved to the new area code 732. That left 908 with the region it covers today.
| Year | Change |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Area code 201 covers all of North and Central Jersey |
| 1991 | 908 created from 201 |
| 1997 | Eastern part of 908 becomes 732 |
| 2021 | 10-digit local dialing required |
Why You Must Dial 10 Digits
Area code 908 moved to mandatory 10-digit dialing in 2021 as part of the national rollout of 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number. Areas that used 988 as the first three digits of local phone numbers had to switch so that 988 calls would connect correctly. Today, local calls within 908 require the area code plus the seven-digit number. Calls to 911 and 988 still use three digits.
Will 908 Get an Overlay?
New Jersey’s other area codes have overlays: 201 shares its region with 551, 973 with 862, 732 with 848 and 609 with 640. Area codes 908 and 856 have not been overlaid yet. When the supply of 908 numbers runs low, regulators are expected to add an overlay code. Under an overlay, current numbers do not change, but new numbers in the region may get the new code.
| Area code | Overlay |
|---|---|
| 201 | 551 |
| 973 | 862 |
| 732 | 848 |
| 609 | 640 |
| 908 | None yet |
| 856 | None yet |
Area Code 908 Scam Calls
Like every area code, 908 numbers can be spoofed by robocallers who fake a local-looking caller ID. If you get an unexpected call claiming to be from the IRS, a bank, a utility or a government agency, do not share personal information. Hang up and call the organization back using a number from its official website or your statement.
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
- Never share passwords or verification codes over the phone.
- Use your carrier’s call-blocking tools.
- Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
Living in the 908 Region
The 908 region mixes busy suburbs close to New York City with rural farmland and small towns. Union County towns such as Westfield, Summit and Cranford are popular with commuters on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley and Morris and Essex lines. Somerset County offers suburban communities and corporate campuses, while Hunterdon and Warren counties are known for farms, historic villages, the Delaware River and outdoor recreation. Elizabeth, the largest city in the 908 area, is home to Newark Liberty International Airport’s southern section and Port Elizabeth.
Businesses in the region sometimes value a 908 number because it signals a local presence in Central Jersey. If you are moving to the area and want a 908 number, ask your carrier when you set up service; availability depends on the carrier’s supply of numbers.
Because area code 908 covers several counties, it is not a reliable way to tell exactly where a caller is. A 908 number could belong to someone in Elizabeth, Phillipsburg or anywhere in between, and a mobile number may belong to someone who has since moved out of state.
Area Code 908 vs Nearby Area Codes
New Jersey has 10 area codes today, and area code 908 borders several of them. Knowing the neighbors helps you guess roughly where a New Jersey number comes from, though mobile numbers can move anywhere.
| Area code | Region | Relationship to 908 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 and 551 | Bergen and Hudson counties | The original code that 908 split from in 1991 |
| 973 and 862 | Essex, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties | Borders 908 to the north and east |
| 732 and 848 | Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties | Split from 908 in 1997 |
| 609 and 640 | Mercer, Burlington, Atlantic and Cape May counties | Borders 908 to the south |
| 856 | Camden, Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland counties | South Jersey; the other code without an overlay |
Getting a 908 Phone Number
If you move to the region or open a business there, you can usually request a number with area code 908 from your mobile, landline or internet phone provider. Availability depends on each carrier’s supply of numbers in the local exchanges. Because there is no overlay yet, every new number issued in this region still gets area code 908. Once an overlay is added, new customers may receive the new code instead, while existing 908 numbers stay the same.
Keep in mind that area code 908 is also common on older cell phones owned by people who grew up in Central Jersey and later moved away, so a 908 call can come from anywhere in the country. If you are unsure who is calling, let the call go to voicemail and call back using a number you trust.
More NJ Guides
See every code in the state in our NJ area codes guide, find what county a town is in with our NJ towns by county guide and discover places to visit in our things to do in NJ guide. Find more in our Living in NJ section or on the homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 908
Where is area code 908?
Central and northwest New Jersey, including most of Union, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties and parts of Morris and Middlesex.
What cities use area code 908?
Elizabeth, Union, Linden, Plainfield, Westfield, Summit, Somerville, Bridgewater, Flemington, Phillipsburg and Hackettstown, among others.
When was area code 908 created?
On June 8, 1991, when it split from area code 201.
Is 908 the same as 732?
No. 732 was split off from 908 on January 1, 1997.
Does area code 908 have an overlay?
Not yet. 908 and 856 are the only New Jersey area codes without an overlay.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in 908?
Yes. 10-digit dialing has been required since 2021.
What time zone is area code 908?
Eastern Time.
Is a 908 call a scam?
Not necessarily, but scammers can spoof local numbers, so be cautious with unexpected calls.
The Bottom Line
Area code 908 serves central and northwest New Jersey, including most of Union, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties and parts of Morris and Middlesex. It was created from 201 in 1991, lost its eastern area to 732 in 1997 and still has no overlay, though 10-digit local dialing has been required since 2021.
