240 Area CodeGermantown, MD
Area code 240 covers Germantown and nearby communities in Maryland, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 2.5 million people across 314 cities. It overlays 227 and 301, so the region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Germantown
- State
- Maryland (MD)
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 227, 301
Overview of the 240 Area Code
What is the 240 area code?
The 240 area code serves Germantown, Maryland, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 240 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 240 created?
The 240 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Germantown once the existing area codes 227 and 301 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 240 Area Code
The 240 area code serves Germantown and surrounding areas in Maryland. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 227 and 301. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Columbia
- Frederick
- Germantown
- Silver Spring
- Gaithersburg
- Rockville
Got a call from a 240 number? It came from Germantown, MD. Since 240 overlays with 227 and 301, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 240, Germantown holds about 4% of the population; the rest is split across 313 smaller cities.
Germantown Area Codes Overview
Germantown is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 240 area code operates alongside 227, 301. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 240 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 240 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | MD | 99,615 | 0% | 7% |
| Frederick | MD | 89,537 | 0% | 100% |
| Germantown | MD | 86,395 | 0% | 100% |
| Silver Spring | MD | 71,452 | 0% | 100% |
| Gaithersburg | MD | 70,686 | 0% | 100% |
| Rockville | MD | 68,417 | 0% | 100% |
| Waldorf | MD | 67,752 | 1% | 100% |
| Bethesda | MD | 60,858 | 0% | 100% |
| Bowie | MD | 58,421 | 0% | 100% |
| Aspen Hill | MD | 48,759 | 0% | 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 240 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 577 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 240 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 54% robocalls
- ↓ 28% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other44%251
- Dropped call or no message15%85
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)12%69
* 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 240?
78% assigned to a telco
- 72% Landline
- 28% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (240)200- | Landline | Bandwidth.Com Clec |
| (240)201- | Landline | Peerless Network Of Maryland |
| (240)202- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (240)203- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (240)204- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (240)205- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (240)206- | Landline | Mcimetro Access Transmission Services |
| (240)207- | Landline | Cavalier East |
| (240)208- | Landline | Peerless Network Of Maryland |
| (240)209- | Landline | Peerless Network Of Maryland |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 240 Area Code
Who called me from a 240 number?
A 240 number is assigned to Germantown, Maryland, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 240 code to look nearby, so a 240 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 577 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 240 code (54% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 240 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 240 is a normal, officially assigned code for Germantown, Maryland. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 240 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 577 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 240 code (54% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 240 area code?
Repeated calls from different 240 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 240 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 577 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 240 code (54% 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 240 number?
If you aren't expecting a 240 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 240 area code?
Block a single 240 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 240 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 240?
Area code 240 covers Germantown and the surrounding area in Maryland, spanning 314 cities with about 2,453,634 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 227, 301.
Is 240 a real area code?
Yes. 240 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Germantown, Maryland. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 240 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 240 area code in?
The 240 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 240 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 240 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 240 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 240 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.