The iconic 202 area code in service since 1947 now shares the entire District of Columbia with 771. The overlay keeps fresh numbers available without forcing anyone to give up a treasured 202 line, but it also makes ten digit dialing mandatory for every local call. Here’s the need to know rundown.
New 771 Area Code Overlay
Regulators layered 771 on top of 202 rather than carving the city into districts. Existing numbers stay the same; new lines may receive 771. Because two area codes serve one map, every local call must include the area code plus the seven digit number.
Where the 202 / 771 Overlay Applies
The overlay covers all eight wards of Washington, DC from Georgetown and Capitol Hill to Anacostia and Chevy Chase. If the address sits inside the District line, it’s in the 202/771 complex.
Dialing Rules
Landlines: Dial 1 + area code + phone number (11 digits total).
Mobile phones: Dial area code + phone number (10 digits) or 1 + area code + number either works.
Seven digit dialing no longer completes a call.
Ten digit dialing became permanent on October 9 2021.
Key Dates for the 771 Roll Out
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| April 10 2021 | Optional 10 /11 digit dialing period begins |
| October 9 2021 | Mandatory 10 /11 digit dialing for all local calls |
| November 9 2021 | First 771 numbers available for new service |
What Stays the Same
- Your current 202 number doesn’t change.
- Call pricing and local boundaries remain identical.
- Emergency numbers (911) and other three digit services still dial with three digits.
- Long distance rules and toll rates are unaffected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 202 area code overlay means?
Overlays avoid the cost and confusion of forcing businesses and residents to change existing numbers.
Will caller ID look odd to customers?
No 771 simply indicates a newer assignment within Washington, DC.
Do mobile users have to dial “1”?
Most cellular carriers complete calls with either ten or eleven digits; landlines generally need the leading “1.”
Does the overlay raise call charges?
No. The overlay does not affect rate center boundaries or tariffs; your plan stays the same.
