901 Area CodeMemphis, TN
Area code 901 covers Memphis and nearby communities in Tennessee, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 853,000 people across 25 cities. It overlays 731, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Memphis
- State
- Tennessee (TN)
- Timezone
- Central Time (CT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 731
Where is area code 901?
Area code 901 serves part of Memphis, TN and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (731) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 901 Area Code
What is the 901 area code?
The 901 area code serves Memphis, Tennessee, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 901 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 901 created?
The 901 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Memphis once the existing area code 731 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 901 Area Code
The 901 area code serves Memphis and surrounding areas in Tennessee. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 731. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Memphis
- Bartlett
- Collierville
- Germantown
- Arlington
- Lakeland
Got a call from a 901 number? It came from Memphis, TN. Since 901 overlays with 731, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 901, Memphis holds about 72% of the population; the rest is split across 24 smaller cities.
Memphis Area Codes Overview
Memphis is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 901 area code operates alongside 731. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 901 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 901 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | TN | 610,919 | 16% | 100% |
| Bartlett | TN | 56,708 | 1% | 100% |
| Collierville | TN | 51,951 | 1% | 100% |
| Germantown | TN | 40,128 | 1% | 100% |
| Arlington | TN | 15,550 | 1% | 100% |
| Lakeland | TN | 14,416 | 1% | 100% |
| Millington | TN | 11,486 | 2% | 100% |
| Oakland | TN | 10,769 | 1% | 100% |
| Atoka | TN | 10,624 | 1% | 100% |
| Covington | TN | 8,575 | 1% | 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 901 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 603 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 901 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 71% robocalls
- ↑ 12% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other35%213
- Medical & prescriptions14%86
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends13%81
* 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 901?
58% assigned to a telco
- 71% Landline
- 29% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (901)200- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
| (901)201- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (901)202- | Landline | Xo Tennessee |
| (901)203- | Landline | Peerless Network Of Tennessee |
| (901)205- | Landline | Xo Tennessee |
| (901)206- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
| (901)207- | Landline | Powertel Memphis Licenses |
| (901)208- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (901)209- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (901)210- | Wireless | Sprint Spectrum |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 901 Area Code
Who called me from a 901 number?
A 901 number is assigned to Memphis, Tennessee, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 901 code to look nearby, so a 901 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 603 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 901 code (71% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 901 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 901 is a normal, officially assigned code for Memphis, Tennessee. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 901 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 603 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 901 code (71% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 901 area code?
Repeated calls from different 901 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 901 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 603 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 901 code (71% 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 901 number?
If you aren't expecting a 901 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 901 area code?
Block a single 901 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 901 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 901?
Area code 901 covers Memphis and the surrounding area in Tennessee, spanning 25 cities with about 852,977 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 731.
Is 901 a real area code?
Yes. 901 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Memphis, Tennessee. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 901 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 901 area code in?
The 901 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 901 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 901 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 901 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 901 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.