The 408 area code is the San Jose area code. It covers most of Santa Clara County in California, the heart of Silicon Valley, including Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and Cupertino. It shares the area with 669.
This guide covers the cities in 408, the time zone, the history and what to do when an unknown 408 number calls.
408 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | San Jose and most of Santa Clara County |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | March 1, 1959 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 669 (overlay since November 20, 2012) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 408 Area Code Located?
Area code 408 is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. Main cities:
- San Jose
- Sunnyvale
- Santa Clara
- Cupertino
- Milpitas
- Campbell
- Los Gatos
- Saratoga
- Morgan Hill
- Gilroy
Palo Alto and Mountain View, a little further north, are in 650.
What Time Zone Is the 408 Area Code In?
San Jose is on Pacific Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC-8, in winter
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC-7, from mid March to early November
That makes it three hours behind New York and two hours behind Chicago. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 408 Area Code
- 1947: the area is part of 415.
- March 1, 1959: 408 is split from 415. It covers most of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.
- July 11, 1998: Santa Cruz, Salinas, Monterey and Hollister are split off as 831.
- October 20, 2012: ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory.
- November 20, 2012: 669 goes into service as an overlay.
The parent code is covered in our 415 area code guide.
The Silicon Valley Code
Many of the best-known technology companies in the world have headquarters or large campuses in the 408 area. For startups, a 408 number has long been a way to signal a Silicon Valley address. Because of that, recruiters, vendors and investors call from 408 numbers every day, and so do scammers pretending to be “tech support” from a famous brand.
How to Dial a 408 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 + 408 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 408 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 408 a Scam?
Be careful with unexpected calls that claim to be from a large tech company about a virus, a subscription renewal or a compromised account. Real companies do not cold call to ask for remote access to your computer.
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 408 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 408 Phone Number
A local 408 number helps a business look established in San Jose.
- Carriers: new lines in the San Jose area are assigned 408 or 669 depending on which has free numbers.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 408 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 408
| 669 | Same area as 408 |
| 650 | Palo Alto, Mountain View, San Mateo |
| 510, 341 | Fremont, Oakland, Hayward |
| 831 | Santa Cruz, Salinas, Monterey |
| 415, 628 | San Francisco |
| 925 | Livermore, Walnut Creek |
Related guides: 415 area code for San Francisco, 510 area code for Oakland, 916 area code for Sacramento.
408 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 408?
San Jose, California. It also covers Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino and Milpitas.
Is Palo Alto in 408?
No. Palo Alto is in 650.
What is area code 669?
It is the overlay for the 408 area and has been in service since November 20, 2012.
What time zone is 408?
Pacific Time.
Is 408 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 408 area code covers San Jose and Silicon Valley on Pacific Time. It has been in service since 1959 and shares its area with 669. Let unknown callers leave a message, and never give remote access to someone who called you.
