Overview of the 716 Area Code
What is the 716 area code?
The 716 area code serves Buffalo, New York, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 716 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 716 created?
The 716 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Buffalo once the existing area codes 585 and 624 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 716 Area Code
The 716 area code serves Buffalo and surrounding areas in New York. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 585 and 624. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Buffalo
- Cheektowaga
- Niagara Falls
- West Seneca
- North Tonawanda
- Jamestown
Got a call from a 716 number? It came from Buffalo, NY. Since 716 overlays with 585 and 624, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 716, Buffalo holds about 33% of the population; the rest is split across 95 smaller cities.
Buffalo Area Codes Overview
Buffalo is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 716 area code operates alongside 585, 624. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 716 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 716 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | NY | 276,617 | 1% | 100% |
| Cheektowaga | NY | 75,178 | 1% | 100% |
| Niagara Falls | NY | 47,512 | 0% | 100% |
| West Seneca | NY | 44,711 | 1% | 100% |
| North Tonawanda | NY | 29,981 | 0% | 100% |
| Jamestown | NY | 27,699 | 0% | 100% |
| Lockport | NY | 20,394 | 0% | 100% |
| Lackawanna | NY | 19,629 | 0% | 93% |
| Eggertsville | NY | 15,019 | 0% | 100% |
| Tonawanda | NY | 14,984 | 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 716 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 865 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 716 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 74% robocalls
- ↑ 9% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)37%322
- Other37%318
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends8%71
* 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 716?
73% assigned to a telco
- 71% Landline
- 29% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (716)200- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (716)201- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (716)202- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (716)203- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (716)204- | Landline | Choice One Communications |
| (716)205- | Landline | Choice One Communications |
| (716)206- | Landline | Choice One Communications |
| (716)207- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (716)208- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (716)209- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 716 Area Code
Who called me from a 716 number?
A 716 number is assigned to Buffalo, New York, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 716 code to look nearby, so a 716 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 865 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 716 code (74% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 716 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 716 is a normal, officially assigned code for Buffalo, New York. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 716 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 865 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 716 code (74% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 716 area code?
Repeated calls from different 716 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 716 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 865 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 716 code (74% 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 716 number?
If you aren't expecting a 716 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 716 area code?
Block a single 716 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 716 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 716?
Area code 716 covers Buffalo and the surrounding area in New York, spanning 96 cities with about 827,455 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 585, 624.
Is 716 a real area code?
Yes. 716 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Buffalo, New York. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 716 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 716 area code in?
The 716 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 716 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 716 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 716 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 716 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.