202 Area Code: Location, Cities, Time Zone and Scam Calls (2026)

The 202 area code belongs to Washington, DC. It covers the whole District and nothing outside it. If a 202 number called you, the phone line is registered in the US capital. This guide explains where 202 is, what time it is there, how the code has changed and how to deal with unknown 202 calls.

202 Area Code Quick Facts

District	District of Columbia
Location	All of Washington, DC
Time zone	Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time)
In service since	1947 (one of the original area codes)
Type	Geographic area code with an overlay
Shares its area with	771
Toll-free?	No, it is a regular geographic area code

Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.

Where Is the 202 Area Code Located?

Area code 202 covers every neighborhood in the District of Columbia, from Capitol Hill and Downtown to Georgetown, Anacostia and Chevy Chase DC. It does not reach into the suburbs. Across the border, Maryland uses 301 and 240, and Northern Virginia uses 703 and 571.

Many federal agencies, embassies, law firms and news offices use 202 numbers, so the code is closely tied to government and politics.

What Time Zone Is the 202 Area Code In?

Washington, DC is on Eastern Time.

• Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC-5, in winter
• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC-4, from mid March to early November

That puts it three hours ahead of Los Angeles and one hour ahead of Chicago. A quick time check saves you from calling someone at dinner or before breakfast.

History of the 202 Area Code

202 is one of the original area codes created in 1947. Its boundary has never been split. For decades it was the only code in the District.

By 2020 the supply of 202 numbers was running low. Regulators approved 771 as an overlay for the same area. Ten-digit dialing was phased in from April 10, 2021 and became mandatory on October 9, 2021. New lines in DC may now get either 202 or 771.

How to Dial a 202 Number

Local calls in this area are dialed with the area code included.

• From the US or Canada: 1 + 202 + the seven-digit number
• From another country: your exit code + 1 + 202 + the seven-digit number

Is a Call From 202 a Scam?

Most 202 calls are ordinary calls from people, offices and agencies in Washington. Scammers like this code because it looks official. A fake caller can spoof a 202 number and claim to be from the IRS, Social Security or another federal office. Real agencies normally contact you by mail first and never demand gift cards or crypto.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Fake bank or card fraud alerts that ask for your PIN or passcode
• Calls about Medicare, health insurance or a car warranty you never asked about
• Messages that claim a family member is in trouble and needs money
• Pressure to stay on the line and act right now

Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.

What to do with an unknown 202 call

• Hang up as soon as a call feels wrong. You do not owe a stranger an explanation.
• Verify the caller through an official number, not the one they give you.
• Block the number.
• Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
• Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).

How to Get a 202 Phone Number

You do not have to live in Washington, DC to use a 202 number.

• Carriers: ask a mobile or landline carrier for a DC number. You may be offered 771 if 202 stock is low.
• VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 202 number and forward calls to any phone.
• Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.

Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 800 area code.

Area Codes Near 202

771	Same area as 202: all of Washington, DC
301, 240	Maryland suburbs: Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville
703, 571	Northern Virginia: Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax
410, 443	Baltimore and eastern Maryland

Related guides: 240 area code for the Maryland suburbs, 703 area code for Northern Virginia, 443 area code for Baltimore.

202 Area Code FAQs

What city is area code 202?

Washington, DC. The code covers the entire District of Columbia.

Is 202 a government number?

Not always. Many federal offices use 202 numbers, but so do homes, shops and mobile phones in DC. The area code alone does not prove a call is from the government.

What is the 771 area code?

771 is the overlay code for Washington, DC. It covers the same area as 202 and was added in 2021.

Is 202 a toll-free number?

No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.

Final Word

The 202 area code means Washington, DC, and only DC. Treat an unexpected 202 call that claims to be a federal agency with care, and verify it through the agency’s official website before you share anything.