866 Area Code
Toll-free numbers
The 866 area code is reserved for toll-free numbers. It is the fourth toll-free NPA in the NANP.
How 866 is used
Numbers in 866 are dialed as a full ten-digit number (1-866-NXX-XXXX) and are free to the caller; the called party pays a per-minute fee. They are issued through RespOrgs using the Somos toll-free database and are fully portable between carriers. 866 numbers are functionally interchangeable with 800, 833, 844, 855, 877 and 888.
- Purpose
- Toll-free numbers
- Assignee
- Somos, Inc. (toll-free Responsible Organizations under FCC rules)
- Dialed as
- 1-866-NXX-XXXX
History
Creation: Area code 866 was placed into service on July 29, 2000 as the 280th area code in service and the fourth toll-free NPA, relieving 877. By the year 2000 toll-free numbers were being depleted faster than a single code could supply them, and 866's introduction continued the regular pattern of opening successive toll-free codes (after 800, 888 and 877).
Relieved: Area code 866 was activated to relieve 877.
Mnemonics: The digits 866 map to letter combinations on the standard telephone keypad, yielding 27 possible three-letter mnemonics. Prior to 1995, the middle digit of area codes was restricted to 0 or 1 — codes created before then cannot form mnemonics.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toll-free_telephone_numbers_in_the_North_American_Numbering_Plan.
Other special-use area codes
Same-category codes first, then the rest of the NANP special-use portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is area code 866 used for?
866 is a special-use area code in the North American Numbering Plan. The 866 area code is reserved for toll-free numbers. It is the fourth toll-free NPA in the NANP.
How is 866 dialed?
Numbers in 866 are dialed as a full ten-digit number (1-866-NXX-XXXX). It is a non-geographic area code, so 1-866 numbers are not tied to any city or state.
Are 866 numbers free to call?
Yes. 866 is a toll-free area code: the called party (the business) pays the per-minute charge to its toll-free carrier, and the caller pays nothing. 866 numbers are interoperable with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 numbers.
Who called me from a 866 number?
A 866 number is toll-free, used by businesses and call centers, and also by robocallers. Toll-free caller ID is easy to spoof, so a 866 number does not identify a specific company. Recently, 7,756 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 866 code (86% flagged as robocalls). If you did not expect the call, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 866 a scam area code?
No. 866 is a legitimate toll-free code used by real businesses. But scammers use and spoof toll-free numbers too, so 866 on your caller ID proves nothing on its own. Recently, 7,756 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 866 code (86% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the code.
How do I block calls from 866 numbers?
Block the specific 866 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: Block this Caller; Android: Block or report spam), turn on spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. You can block all toll-free calls, but that also stops legitimate businesses from reaching you.
Who assigns 866 numbers?
Somos, Inc. (toll-free Responsible Organizations under FCC rules)
What did 866 relieve or replace?
Area code 866 was activated to relieve 877 as that pool of numbers neared exhaustion.
When did area code 866 go into service?
Area code 866 was placed into service on July 29, 2000. It was the 280th area code in service; 4th area code used for Toll-free.