There are 10 NJ area codes: 201, 551, 609, 640, 732, 848, 856, 862, 908 and 973. They form six geographic regions, because four pairs share the same territory as overlays: 201/551, 609/640, 732/848 and 973/862. Area codes 856 and 908 have no overlay. North Jersey uses 201, 551, 973, 862 and 908; Central Jersey uses 732 and 848; South Jersey uses 609, 640 and 856.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey has 10 area codes covering six regions of the state.
- Four overlay pairs share territory: 201/551, 609/640, 732/848 and 973/862.
- 856 and 908 are the only codes without an overlay in New Jersey.
- 201 is the original: it was one of the first 86 North American area codes, created in 1947, and once covered the whole state.
- 640 is the newest, added as an overlay for 609 on September 17, 2018.
- Ten-digit dialing is required in overlay regions, and 856 moved to ten-digit dialing in 2021.
Area code boundaries and dates in this guide were checked against telecom records in September 2026.
Complete List of NJ Area Codes
The table below lists every New Jersey area code, the region it serves and its main counties. Codes in the same overlay pair cover exactly the same area, so a new phone line in that region could receive either one.
| Area code | Region | Main counties served | Overlay partner | In service since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Northeast NJ | Bergen, Hudson | 551 | 1947 |
| 551 | Northeast NJ | Bergen, Hudson | 201 | 2001 |
| 973 | North NJ | Essex, Passaic, Morris, Sussex (plus small parts of nearby counties) | 862 | 1997 |
| 862 | North NJ | Same as 973 | 973 | 2001 |
| 908 | North-central NJ | Union, Somerset, Hunterdon, Warren, parts of Middlesex and Morris | None | 1991 |
| 732 | Central NJ and northern Shore | Middlesex, Monmouth, northern Ocean, parts of Somerset and Union | 848 | 1997 |
| 848 | Central NJ and northern Shore | Same as 732 | 732 | 2001 |
| 609 | Central and South NJ, southern Shore | Mercer, Atlantic, Cape May, parts of Burlington, Ocean and southern Middlesex | 640 | 1950s |
| 640 | Central and South NJ, southern Shore | Same as 609 | 609 | 2018 |
| 856 | Southwest NJ (Philadelphia suburbs) | Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, parts of Burlington | None | 1999 |
NJ Area Codes by Region
Because New Jersey is small but densely populated, its area codes map neatly onto familiar regions. Here is what each one covers in everyday terms.
201 and 551: Bergen and Hudson counties
Area code 201 now serves only Bergen and Hudson counties, the two most densely populated counties in the state and the closest to New York City. Cities in this region include Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Hackensack, Secaucus and Englewood. The 551 overlay arrived in 2001, and ten-digit dialing became mandatory on December 1, 2001.
973 and 862: Newark, Paterson and Morris County
Area code 973 was split from 201 on June 1, 1997. It serves Newark, Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Montclair, Morristown, Parsippany, Dover, Maplewood and the Oranges. Additionally, the 862 overlay began on December 1, 2001.
908: Union, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren
Area code 908 was created from 201 in a split that took effect in 1991. It covers Union, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties, along with parts of Middlesex and Morris. For example, Elizabeth, Plainfield, Summit and Flemington use 908. Notably, it remains one of only two New Jersey codes without an overlay.
732 and 848: Central Jersey and the northern Shore
Area code 732 was carved out of 908 in 1997 to serve the southeastern half of that territory along the Atlantic coast. Today, 732 and its 848 overlay cover Middlesex and Monmouth counties, northern Ocean County and parts of Somerset and Union. Towns include New Brunswick, Edison, Toms River, Asbury Park and Red Bank. Ten-digit dialing became mandatory on December 1, 2001.
609 and 640: Trenton, Princeton and the southern Shore
Area code 609 dates to a split of 201 in the 1950s. It serves Trenton, Princeton, Ewing and Hamilton, plus Shore communities such as Atlantic City and Long Beach Island. It also reaches parts of Burlington County and southern Middlesex County, including Plainsboro, Cranbury, South Brunswick and Monroe. The 640 overlay entered service on September 17, 2018, after mandatory ten-digit dialing started that August.
856: South Jersey near Philadelphia
Area code 856 split from 609 on June 12, 1999. Its territory essentially matches the New Jersey side of the Philadelphia metropolitan area, including Camden, Cherry Hill and Vineland. Although 856 has no overlay, it switched to mandatory ten-digit dialing by October 24, 2021, as part of the national rollout of the 988 crisis line.
Which NJ Area Code Does My Town Use?
Most searches for NJ area codes come from someone trying to place a number. The quick-reference table below matches well-known towns to their area codes.
| Town or city | County | Area code(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne | Hudson | 201 / 551 |
| Hackensack, Englewood | Bergen | 201 / 551 |
| Newark, Montclair | Essex | 973 / 862 |
| Paterson, Clifton | Passaic | 973 / 862 |
| Morristown, Parsippany | Morris | 973 / 862 |
| Elizabeth, Plainfield | Union | 908 |
| New Brunswick, Edison (most areas) | Middlesex | 732 / 848 |
| Asbury Park, Red Bank | Monmouth | 732 / 848 |
| Toms River | Ocean | 732 / 848 |
| Trenton, Princeton | Mercer | 609 / 640 |
| Atlantic City | Atlantic | 609 / 640 |
| Camden, Cherry Hill | Camden | 856 |
| Vineland | Cumberland | 856 |
Boundaries do not always follow county or town lines. Edison and Piscataway, for instance, are split between 732 and 908. Therefore, treat this table as a guide rather than a guarantee.
How NJ Area Codes Evolved
The history explains why New Jersey ended up with so many codes. In 1947, 201 covered the entire state. Population growth, fax machines, pagers and later cell phones then drove repeated splits and overlays.
| Year | Change |
|---|---|
| 1947 | 201 created as one of the original 86 North American area codes, covering all of New Jersey |
| 1950s | 609 split from 201 for the southern and central part of the state |
| 1991 | 908 split from 201 |
| 1997 | 973 split from 201; 732 split from 908 |
| 1999 | 856 split from 609 |
| 2001 | Overlays 551 (for 201), 862 (for 973) and 848 (for 732) added, with ten-digit dialing |
| 2018 | 640 overlay added for 609 |
| 2021 | 856 moved to ten-digit dialing for the 988 crisis line rollout |
Overlays and Ten-Digit Dialing Explained
An overlay adds a second area code to the same geographic region instead of splitting it. Existing customers keep their numbers, while new lines may receive the overlay code. As a result, two neighbors can have different area codes.
However, overlays come with one rule. Every local call must include the area code, because a seven-digit number could exist under both codes. That is why ten-digit dialing is standard across most of New Jersey. The simplest habit is to always dial all ten digits, which works everywhere.
Is a Call From an NJ Area Code a Scam?
A New Jersey area code tells you where a number was originally assigned, not where the caller is today. Mobile users keep their numbers when they move, and many spam calls spoof local-looking numbers. Consequently, a familiar 201 or 732 on caller ID does not prove a call is local or legitimate.
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. Real callers usually leave a message.
- Never share codes or passwords with someone who called you unexpectedly.
- Call back using an official number from a bill or card if a caller claims to be your bank or a government agency.
- Use your carrier’s spam filtering, which most major carriers offer.
Will New Jersey Get a New Area Code?
Area codes are added when an existing code starts running out of available numbers. Currently, 908 and 856 are the only New Jersey codes without an overlay. Whenever one of them nears exhaustion, regulators usually add an overlay rather than force anyone to change numbers. Any future change would be announced well in advance, giving residents time to adjust.
Explore More About Living in New Jersey
Area codes are just one piece of everyday New Jersey knowledge. For more practical guides about towns, counties and state life, browse our Living in NJ section. Planning a day out? Our guide to the best things to do in NJ covers attractions in every region. You can also visit the NJ News Today homepage for the latest guides.
Frequently Asked Questions About NJ Area Codes
How many area codes does New Jersey have?
New Jersey has 10 area codes: 201, 551, 609, 640, 732, 848, 856, 862, 908 and 973. Because of overlays, they cover six geographic regions.
What is the oldest NJ area code?
Area code 201 is the oldest. It was created in 1947 as one of the original 86 North American area codes and once covered the entire state.
What is the newest area code in New Jersey?
Area code 640 is the newest. It was added as an overlay for 609 and entered service on September 17, 2018.
Which NJ area codes do not have an overlay?
Area codes 856 and 908 are the only New Jersey area codes without an overlay code.
What area code is Jersey City?
Jersey City uses area codes 201 and 551, which cover Hudson and Bergen counties.
What area code is Newark NJ?
Newark uses area codes 973 and 862, which serve Essex, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in New Jersey?
Yes, in most of the state. Overlay regions require ten-digit dialing, and area code 856 moved to ten-digit dialing in 2021. Dialing all ten digits works everywhere.
NJ Area Codes: The Short Version
New Jersey’s 10 area codes map onto six regions: 201/551 for Bergen and Hudson, 973/862 for Newark and the northwest, 908 for Union to Warren, 732/848 for Central Jersey, 609/640 for Trenton and the southern Shore, and 856 for the Philadelphia suburbs. Because overlays share territory, always dial all ten digits. Finally, remember that NJ area codes reveal where a number started, not who is calling.