The 443 area code is a Baltimore area code. It covers the eastern half of Maryland: Baltimore, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore. It shares the area with 410 and 667.
This guide lists the cities in 443 and explains the time zone, the history and what to do about unknown 443 calls.
443 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Maryland |
| Location | Baltimore, Annapolis and the Eastern Shore of Maryland |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | July 1, 1997 |
| Type | Overlay area code on 410 |
| Shares its area with | 410 and 667 |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 443 Area Code Located?
Area code 443 is located in eastern Maryland, on both sides of the Chesapeake Bay. Main cities and towns:
- Baltimore
- Annapolis
- Columbia
- Towson
- Ellicott City
- Salisbury
- Ocean City
The Washington suburbs and western Maryland are in 301, 240 and 227.
What Time Zone Is the 443 Area Code In?
Baltimore 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 makes it three hours ahead of Los Angeles and one hour ahead of Chicago. Most offices there answer between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.
History of the 443 Area Code
- 1947: 301 is created for the whole state of Maryland.
- 1991: Baltimore and the Eastern Shore are split off as 410.
- July 1, 1997: 443 is added as an overlay. 410 had come close to running out within about five years because of cell phones and pagers.
- March 24, 2012: 667 is added as a second overlay.
Maryland chose overlays both times so that residents would not have to change their numbers again so soon after the 1991 split.
410 vs 443 vs 667
All three codes cover the same area and calls between them are local. 410 is the “original” Baltimore code and is common on older landlines and business lines. 443 arrived with the mobile phone boom, and 667 is what many new lines receive today. The western half of the state is covered in our 240 area code guide.
How to Dial a 443 Number
Dial all ten digits for every call in this area.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 443 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 443 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 443 a Scam?
A 443 number usually belongs to someone in the Baltimore area or on the Eastern Shore. Major hospitals, universities and federal offices in the region call from these codes, and scammers imitate them.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Someone who says they are from the IRS, Social Security or a court and demands payment
- Tech support calls about a virus on your computer
- Investment or crypto offers from a company you do not know
- Texts that ask you to click a link to fix a billing problem
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 443 call
- Let it ring out and check the voicemail.
- Search the full number online before you call back.
- Block the number and report it.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 443 Phone Number
A 443 number is easy to get, for personal or business use.
- Carriers: new lines in eastern Maryland get 443, 667 or 410 depending on supply.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 443 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 833 area code.
Area Codes Near 443
| 410, 667 | Same area as 443 |
| 301, 240, 227 | Washington suburbs and western Maryland |
| 302 | Delaware |
| 717, 223 | Harrisburg, Lancaster, York |
| 202, 771 | Washington, D.C. |
Related guides: 240 area code for western Maryland, 302 area code for Delaware, 202 area code for Washington, D.C..
443 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 443?
Baltimore, Maryland. It also covers Annapolis, Columbia, Towson, Salisbury and Ocean City.
What is the difference between 410 and 443?
They cover the same area. 410 started in 1991 and 443 was added in 1997.
Is 443 a cell phone area code?
It is used for all kinds of numbers, although many 443 numbers are mobile.
What time zone is 443?
Eastern Time.
Is 443 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 443 area code covers Baltimore and eastern Maryland on Eastern Time. It has been in service since 1997, next to 410 and 667. Screen unknown callers and return only the calls that check out.
