The 404 area code is the original Atlanta area code. It covers the city and the suburbs closest to it. This guide explains where 404 is, what time it is in Atlanta, how the code has changed since 1947 and what to do about unknown 404 calls.
404 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Georgia |
| Location | Atlanta and its closest suburbs, mostly inside the I-285 perimeter |
| 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 overlays |
| Shares its area with | 678, 470, 943 |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 404 Area Code Located?
Area code 404 serves the core of metro Atlanta. Most of its area lies inside Interstate 285, the highway that locals call the Perimeter. It includes Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead, along with close-in communities.
The outer suburbs use 770. The overlay codes 678, 470 and 943 cover both the 404 and 770 areas, so an Atlanta number can start with any of them.
What Time Zone Is the 404 Area Code In?
Atlanta 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. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 404 Area Code
404 was one of the original area codes in 1947 and covered all of Georgia. It has been reduced several times:
- July 1, 1954: 912 took the southern part of the state
- May 3, 1992: 706 took north Georgia outside metro Atlanta
- August 1, 1995: 770 took the Atlanta suburbs
Since then the metro area has grown through overlays instead of splits. 678 arrived in 1998, 470 followed, and 943 was added on March 15, 2022.
How to Dial a 404 Number
Because more than one area code can serve the same streets, always dial the full ten-digit number.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 404 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 404 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 404 a Scam?
Most 404 calls are from real Atlanta residents and companies. The code is also spoofed often, because many large companies and call centers are based in Atlanta and a 404 number looks believable.
Watch for these warning signs:
- A recorded voice that says an account is locked or suspended
- A caller who wants payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto
- A text with a link about a delivery, a toll or a refund
- A request for a one-time code that was just sent to your phone
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 404 call
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. A real caller leaves a message.
- Look up the company and call the number on its website.
- Block the number on your phone.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 404 Phone Number
A local 404 number helps a business look established in Atlanta.
- Carriers: ask a carrier for an Atlanta number. True 404 numbers are limited, so 678, 470 or 943 is more likely.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 404 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 404
| 678, 470, 943 | Overlays for the Atlanta metro area, including the 404 area |
| 770 | Atlanta suburbs: Marietta, Roswell, Lawrenceville |
| 706, 762 | North Georgia: Athens, Augusta, Columbus |
| 478 | Macon and central Georgia |
| 912 | Savannah and southeast Georgia |
Related guides: 470 area code for the Atlanta overlay, 904 area code for Jacksonville, 205 area code for Birmingham.
404 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 404?
Atlanta, Georgia. The code covers the city and its closest suburbs.
What is the difference between 404 and 770?
404 is mostly inside the I-285 perimeter. 770 covers the suburbs outside it.
Is 404 running out of numbers?
New 404 numbers are scarce, which is why the overlay codes 678, 470 and 943 were added.
Is 404 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 404 area code means central Atlanta. If you do not know the caller, let it go to voicemail and confirm who it is before you call back.
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