Massachusetts is divided into five distinctnumbering plan areas (NPAs) in theNorth American Numbering Plan (NANP), which are served by ninearea codes,[7] organized as fouroverlay complexes and a single-area code NPA.
Eastern Massachusetts has area codes 339, 351, 508, 617, 774, 781, 857, and 978.[8] Western Massachusetts has area code 413.[8]
The numbering plan areas are organized into twolocal access and transport areas (LATAs): 126 comprises the western part, and 128 covers the central and eastern parts.[9]
| Area code | Year created | Parent NPA | Overlay | Numbering plan area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 413 | 1947 | – | – | Western Massachusetts:Amherst,Greenfield,Holyoke,North Adams,Pittsfield,Springfield |
| 617 | 1947 | – | 617/857 | Boston and surrounding communities such asBrookline,Cambridge,Newton, andQuincy. |
| 857 | 2001 | 617 | ||
| 781 | 1997 | 617 | 339/781 | Greater Boston:Burlington,Lynn,Waltham,Weymouth |
| 339 | 2001 | 781 | ||
| 508 | 1988 | 617 | 508/774 | Southeastern Massachusetts:Brockton,Framingham,Hyannis,New Bedford,Plymouth,Worcester |
| 774 | 2001 | 508 | ||
| 978 | 1997 | 508 | 351/978 | Northeastern Massachusetts:Athol,Concord,Fitchburg,Gloucester,Haverhill,Lowell,Salem |
| 351 | 2001 | 978 |
Just three years ago, two new area codes were created in Massachusetts by splitting existing area codes in half. The 781 area code was carved out of the 617 code and the 978 area code was carved out of the 508 area code. With the addition of the four new overlay codes, Massachusetts will have nine area codes.
Media related toArea code maps of Massachusetts at Wikimedia Commons