404 Area CodeAtlanta, GA
Area code 404 covers Atlanta and nearby communities in Georgia, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 957,000 people across 24 cities. It overlays 470, 678, 770 and 943, so the region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Atlanta
- State
- Georgia (GA)
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 470, 678, 770, 943
Overview of the 404 Area Code
What is the 404 area code?
The 404 area code serves Atlanta, Georgia, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 404 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 404 created?
The 404 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Atlanta once the existing area codes 470, 678, 770, and 943 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 404 Area Code
The 404 area code serves Atlanta and surrounding areas in Georgia. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 470, 678, 770, and 943. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Atlanta
- Sandy Springs
- North Atlanta
- East Point
- Union City
- Decatur
Got a call from a 404 number? It came from Atlanta, GA. Since 404 overlays with 470, 678, 770, and 943, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 404, Atlanta holds about 54% of the population; the rest is split across 23 smaller cities.
Atlanta Area Codes Overview
Atlanta is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 404 area code operates alongside 470, 678, 770, 943. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 404 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 404 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | GA | 520,070 | 37% | 100% |
| Sandy Springs | GA | 105,505 | 5% | 45% |
| North Atlanta | GA | 40,456 | 2% | 90% |
| East Point | GA | 38,270 | 4% | 100% |
| Union City | GA | 28,195 | 0% | 6% |
| Decatur | GA | 24,482 | 1% | 100% |
| Candler-McAfee | GA | 23,025 | 2% | 100% |
| Forest Park | GA | 19,301 | 2% | 98% |
| North Druid Hills | GA | 18,947 | 1% | 100% |
| North Decatur | GA | 16,698 | 1% | 95% |
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 404?
77% assigned to a telco
- 68% Landline
- 32% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (404)200- | Landline | Powertel Atlanta Licenses |
| (404)201- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (404)202- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (404)204- | Landline | Southern Bell Tel & Tel |
| (404)205- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (404)206- | Landline | Southern Bell Tel & Tel |
| (404)207- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (404)208- | Landline | Wavenation |
| (404)209- | Landline | Southern Bell Tel & Tel |
| (404)210- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 404 Area Code
Who called me from a 404 number?
A 404 number is assigned to Atlanta, Georgia, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 404 code to look nearby, so a 404 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 778 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 404 code (68% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 404 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 404 is a normal, officially assigned code for Atlanta, Georgia. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 404 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 778 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 404 code (68% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 404 area code?
Repeated calls from different 404 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 404 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 778 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 404 code (68% 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 404 number?
If you aren't expecting a 404 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 404 area code?
Block a single 404 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 404 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 404?
Area code 404 covers Atlanta and the surrounding area in Georgia, spanning 24 cities with about 956,953 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 470, 678, 770, 943.
Is 404 a real area code?
Yes. 404 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Atlanta, Georgia. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 404 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 404 area code in?
The 404 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 404 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 404 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 404 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 404 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.