771 Area CodeWashington, DC
Area code 771 covers Washington and nearby communities in District of Columbia, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 702,000 people. It overlays 202, 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 202
Where is area code 771?
Area code 771 serves part of Washington, DC and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (202) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 771 Area Code
What is the 771 area code?
The 771 area code serves Washington, District of Columbia, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 771 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 771 created?
The 771 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Washington once the existing area code 202 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 771 Area Code
The 771 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 202. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Washington
Got a call from a 771 number? It came from Washington, DC. Since 771 overlays with 202, 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 771 area code operates alongside 202. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 771 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 771 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 771 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 663 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 771 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 60% robocalls
- ↑ 63% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other42%280
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)22%143
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends17%110
* 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 771?
4% assigned to a telco
- 91% Landline
- 9% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (771)200- | Landline | Metropcs |
| (771)201- | Landline | Omnipoint Communications Cap Operations |
| (771)202- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (771)203- | Landline | Teleport Communications America |
| (771)204- | Landline | Bandwidth.Com Clec |
| (771)205- | Landline | Bandwidth.Com Clec |
| (771)206- | Landline | Bandwidth.Com Clec |
| (771)207- | Landline | Bandwidth.Com Clec |
| (771)208- | Landline | Bandwidth.Com Clec |
| (771)209- | Landline | Metropcs |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 771 Area Code
Who called me from a 771 number?
A 771 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 771 code to look nearby, so a 771 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 663 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 771 code (60% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 771 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 771 is a normal, officially assigned code for Washington, District of Columbia. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 771 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 663 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 771 code (60% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 771 area code?
Repeated calls from different 771 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 771 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 663 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 771 code (60% 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 771 number?
If you aren't expecting a 771 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 771 area code?
Block a single 771 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 771 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 771?
Area code 771 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 202.
Is 771 a real area code?
Yes. 771 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 771 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 771 area code in?
The 771 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 771 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 771 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 771 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 771 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.