202 Area CodeWashington, DC
Area code 202 covers Washington and nearby communities in District of Columbia, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 702,000 people. It overlays 771, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Washington
- State
- District of Columbia (DC)
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 771
Where is area code 202?
Area code 202 serves part of Washington, DC and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (771) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 202 Area Code
What is the 202 area code?
The 202 area code serves Washington, District of Columbia, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 202 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 202 created?
The 202 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Washington once the existing area code 771 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 202 Area Code
The 202 area code serves Washington and surrounding areas in District of Columbia. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 771. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Washington
Got a call from a 202 number? It came from Washington, DC. Since 202 overlays with 771, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line.
Washington Area Codes Overview
Washington is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 202 area code operates alongside 771. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 202 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 202 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | DC | 702,250 | 100% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 202 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 1,271 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 202 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 47% robocalls
- ↑ 7% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other43%544
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends25%321
- Dropped call or no message13%169
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 202?
78% assigned to a telco
- 74% Landline
- 26% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (202)200- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (202)201- | Landline | Verizon Washington Dc |
| (202)203- | Landline | Verizon Washington Dc |
| (202)204- | Landline | Mcimetro Access Transmission Services |
| (202)205- | Landline | Verizon Washington Dc |
| (202)206- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
| (202)207- | Landline | Mcimetro Access Transmission Services |
| (202)208- | Landline | Verizon Washington Dc |
| (202)209- | Landline | Omnipoint Communications Cap Operations |
| (202)210- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 202 Area Code
Who called me from a 202 number?
A 202 number is assigned to Washington, District of Columbia, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 202 code to look nearby, so a 202 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 1,271 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 202 code (47% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 202 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 202 is a normal, officially assigned code for Washington, District of Columbia. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 202 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 1,271 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 202 code (47% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 202 area code?
Repeated calls from different 202 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 202 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 1,271 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 202 code (47% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 202 number?
If you aren't expecting a 202 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 202 area code?
Block a single 202 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 202 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 202?
Area code 202 covers Washington and the surrounding area in District of Columbia, spanning 1 city with about 702,250 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 771.
Is 202 a real area code?
Yes. 202 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Washington, District of Columbia. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 202 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 202 area code in?
The 202 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 202 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 202 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 202 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 202 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.