The 516 area code covers Nassau County on Long Island, New York, just east of New York City. Hempstead, Freeport, Long Beach and Garden City all use it. Since 2023 it has shared the county with 363.
Read on for the location, the towns in 516, the time zone, the history and advice on unknown 516 calls.
516 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | New York |
| Location | Nassau County on Long Island |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1951 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 363 (overlay since January 20, 2023) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 516 Area Code Located?
Area code 516 is located on western Long Island, between the New York City borough of Queens and Suffolk County. Communities in Nassau County include:
- Hempstead
- Freeport
- Long Beach
- Garden City
- Mineola
- Great Neck
- Levittown
- Glen Cove
- Oyster Bay
What Time Zone Is the 516 Area Code In?
Nassau County 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. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 516 Area Code
- 1947: Long Island outside New York City is part of 914.
- 1951: 516 is split from 914 and covers Nassau and Suffolk counties.
- November 1, 1999: Suffolk County moves to 631. 516 is left with Nassau County.
- January 20, 2023: 363 is added as an overlay.
For almost 50 years 516 meant all of Long Island. Since 1999 it has meant Nassau County only.
516 or 631?
People often mix the two up. The rule is simple: Nassau County is 516 and 363, and Suffolk County is 631 and 934. A caller from Hempstead or Garden City has a Nassau code. A caller from Huntington, Islip or the Hamptons has a Suffolk code.
How to Dial a 516 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 + 516 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 516 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 516 a Scam?
A 516 call usually comes from a household or business in Nassau County. Many residents commute to New York City, so banks, medical offices and schools in both places call 516 numbers every day. Scammers imitate exactly those callers.
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 516 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 516 Phone Number
A local 516 number helps a business look established in Nassau County.
- Carriers: new lines in Nassau County receive 516 or 363. 363 is becoming more common.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 516 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 516
| 363 | Same area as 516 |
| 631, 934 | Suffolk County, Long Island |
| 718, 347, 929, 465 | Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island |
| 212, 646, 332 | Manhattan |
| 914 | Westchester County |
Related guides: 929 area code for New York City, 347 area code for New York City, 332 area code for Manhattan.
516 Area Code FAQs
Where is area code 516?
In Nassau County on Long Island, New York.
Is 516 part of New York City?
No. It starts at the city line, east of Queens.
What is area code 363?
It is the overlay for the 516 area and has been in service since January 20, 2023.
What time zone is 516?
Eastern Time.
Is 516 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 516 area code covers Nassau County on Eastern Time. It has been in use since 1951 and now shares the county with 363. Let unknown callers leave a message before you respond.
