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Last updated on December 27th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
You might have noticed the 917 country code popping up everywhere in New York City, and you might be wondering why it’s so common. While this area code has officially retired, the 917 is still heavily used throughout the five boroughs for landlines and mobile phones, and increasingly for new VoIP services too. 917 New York City Area Code Explained!
Many people also search “what state is area code 917,” which is primarily associated with New York City, including Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
When it was introduced in 1992, the 917 area code was implemented to accommodate the increasing number of phone numbers needed by a growing city. Now it’s more than just a phone number; it’s a way to be locally relevant, professional, and accessible for New Yorkers. Learn more about how and where to use 917 area code, the proper format to dial it, and what it represents.
Table of contents
What Is the 917 Country Code?
917 calling code is included in the NANP telephone number plan. This means that 917 is used in North America, including the United States, Canada, and some Caribbean nations. 917 is also the area code for New York City, including all five boroughs.
The 917 area code was put into use in 1992 to accommodate the increasing need for cell phones and landline phone numbers in NYC. It was the first overlay area code added to the city, so it overlapped with the area codes already in use. These were 212, 718, and, much later, 646 and 332.
917 is the area code of connectedness for New York. It was initially assigned to mobile phones and pagers and then expanded to landlines, giving New Yorkers and businesses in the city more flexibility. It’s the phone number of a true New Yorker, no matter what anyone thinks.
Where Is the 917 Area Code Located?
The 917 area code spans all five boroughs of New York City:
- Manhattan
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- The Bronx
- Staten Island
This widespread coverage allows businesses and residents across NYC to obtain a local phone number without needing a specific borough code. The 917 area code also serves as a versatile option for VoIP numbers and virtual business lines, making it popular among startups and remote businesses that want to project a New York presence.
This table demonstrates why 917 became crucial it could serve all boroughs seamlessly, avoiding the limitation of regional codes.
What Is the Significance of the 917 Area Code in New York City?
917 area code has both practical and special meaning. On the practical side, the need for a new number area was due to exhaustion of numbers in NYC. Prior to 917, there were older numbers like 212 and 718 which were almost exhausted by the population boom and mobile phone usage. To get started, you can sign up for FreJun or schedule a demo to see how it works in action.
On the special side, 917 is an area code representing New York City. Everyone from A-List celebrities to nerdy tech workers and businesses want to seem like they’re really from NYC, so they’ll often look for 917 numbers. Additionally, as will all new area codes, 917 came with ten digit dialing, which helped multiple area codes share the same space without any confusion. So for businesses, having a 917 area code number was supposed to seem professional, like they were really based in NYC.
How Do You Dial a Number with the 917 Area Code?
Dialing a 917 area code number varies depending on whether you’re calling locally, nationally, or internationally:
1. Within NYC
Dialing a 917 area code number within New York City is straightforward. Local calls do not require the country code or the prefix “1,” making communication simple and quick. This is ideal for both residents and businesses managing internal calls.
- Simply dial the 7-digit number (e.g., 555-1234)
- No need for the area code if calling locally within the same code
- Perfect for fast, everyday local communication
2. Within the U.S.
When calling a 917 area code number from anywhere else in the United States, you must include the long-distance prefix. This ensures the call is routed correctly through the national telephone network. It’s essential for business and personal calls outside NYC.
- Dial 1 + 917 + the 7-digit number
- Required for all long-distance calls within the U.S.
- Ensures proper routing across state lines
3. Internationally
Calling a 917 area code number from outside the U.S. requires the full international dialing format. This includes your country’s exit code, followed by the U.S. country code and the area code. It’s important for international business or personal communication with NYC contacts.
- Dial your country’s exit code + 1 (USA country code) + 917 + 7-digit number
- Required for calls from any country outside the United States
- Supports global communication for businesses and individuals
What Are Common Uses of the 917 Area Code Today?
The 917 area code is highly versatile, catering to a wide range of communication needs in New York City. From mobile phones to landlines and VoIP services, it supports both personal and professional use. Businesses and individuals alike benefit from its flexibility and local NYC presence.
- Mobile Phones: Personal and professional mobile lines
- Business Lines: Startups, SMEs, and multinational firms with a NYC presence
- VoIP Services: Integration with cloud communication platforms like FreJun
- Virtual Numbers: Businesses can purchase 917 virtual numbers to operate remotely while maintaining a NYC identity
Additionally, the 917 area code is popular among social influencers, celebrities, and freelancers who want a number that signals they are part of New York City’s vibrant network.
Key Takeaways
917 is one of the New York City area codes. The area code covers all five New York City boroughs and offers widespread coverage for local phone numbers, as well as compatibility for mobile, landline, and VoIP numbers. 917 is also overlayed with the other NYC area codes, so you’ll always have enough numbers to go around.
If you’re a business, answering client calls with a 917 number makes your company seem more established and shows that you’re locally-based. When you use our area code, you also give FreJun the tools to help you streamline calls, generate analytics, maintain a professional image, and connect with customers.
Final Thoughts
917 area code is not just the combination of digits, it also stands for the energy, diversity, and vibrancy of New York City. Introduced over seventy years ago to combat number exhaustion, 917 area code has long-since become synonymous with both the city and state as a symbol for businesses and residents alike.
Whether you’re a small start-up, freelance professional or a multinational corporation, an area code number 917, especially with the help of FreJun, will add credibility to your business and help you communicate more efficiently in one of the most competitive markets on earth.
Further Reading: Virtual Call Routing: Managing Calls from Anywher
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FAQs
Update through your carrier and notify contacts; number porting can help.
Mid-morning or early afternoon on weekdays is usually best.
Use your phone’s call-blocking features or third-party apps.
Record a clear, polite greeting with your name and instructions.
Use call forwarding via phone settings or your service provider.
Use a call management system or VoIP platform.
Ensure a strong signal, update software, or use noise-canceling tools.
Yes, assign custom ringtones for individual contacts.
Check the voicemail app’s “Deleted” folder or contact your provider.
Yes, use apps or business platforms to schedule calls and reminders.