The 717 area code covers south-central Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, the state capital, is in it, along with Lancaster, York, Lebanon and Gettysburg. It shares the area with the 223 area code.
This guide covers the location, the cities and counties, the time zone and the history of 717, plus advice on unknown 717 calls.
717 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Location | South-central Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, Lancaster and York |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1947 |
| Type | Original geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 223 (overlay since 2017) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 717 Area Code Located?
Area code 717 is located in the Susquehanna Valley region of Pennsylvania. Main cities and towns:
- Harrisburg
- Lancaster
- York
- Lebanon
- Hershey
- Gettysburg
- Chambersburg
- Carlisle
It serves all or part of 16 counties, including Dauphin, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Lebanon, Adams and Franklin.
What Time Zone Is the 717 Area Code In?
Harrisburg 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. Check the clock before you dial, especially if you are several time zones away.
History of the 717 Area Code
- 1947: 717 is created as one of the original area codes. It covers a wide band of central and eastern Pennsylvania.
- December 5, 1998: the northern part, including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, is split off as 570.
- August 26, 2017: ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory.
- September 2017: 223 becomes available as an overlay for the same area.
What Is in the 717 Area?
The region is a mix of state government, farming and tourism. Harrisburg is the seat of the state government. Lancaster County is known for its Amish and Mennonite communities. Hershey is famous for chocolate, and Gettysburg for its Civil War battlefield. The area is also a major corridor for warehouses and trucking, so calls from carriers and delivery firms are common.
How to Dial a 717 Number
You need the area code for every call, even a local one.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 717 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 717 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 717 a Scam?
A 717 call is most often a local resident, a state office, a health system or a logistics company. Calls that claim to be from a state agency and demand immediate payment are a common scam here.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Threats of arrest, a lawsuit or a service shut-off unless you pay today
- Offers of a prize, a loan or a job that need a fee first
- Callers who already know part of your details and ask you to “confirm” the rest
- One-ring calls that try to make you call back
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 717 call
- Do not answer numbers you do not know.
- Never share a PIN, password or passcode with someone who called you.
- Block repeat callers and turn on your carrier spam filter.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 717 Phone Number
Want a 717 number of your own? There are a few ways to get one.
- Carriers: new lines in south-central Pennsylvania receive 717 or 223 depending on which has free numbers.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 717 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 717
| 223 | Same area as 717 |
| 570, 272 | Scranton, Wilkes-Barre |
| 610, 484, 835 | Allentown, Reading |
| 814, 582 | Altoona, State College, Erie |
| 410, 443, 667 | Baltimore, Maryland |
| 301, 240, 227 | Western Maryland |
Related guides: 267 area code for Philadelphia, 302 area code for Delaware, 202 area code for Washington, D.C..
717 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 717?
Harrisburg, Lancaster and York are the largest. Lebanon, Hershey and Gettysburg are also in 717.
Is Scranton in 717?
Not any more. Scranton moved to 570 in 1998.
What is area code 223?
It is the overlay for the 717 area and has been available since 2017.
What time zone is 717?
Eastern Time.
Is 717 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 717 area code covers Harrisburg, Lancaster and York on Eastern Time. It dates from 1947 and shares its area with 223. Check unknown callers before you call back.
