The 732 area code covers central New Jersey and the northern part of the Jersey Shore. New Brunswick, Edison, Woodbridge, Toms River and Asbury Park are all in it. It shares the area with 848.
Below you will find the counties and towns in 732, the time zone, the history and advice on unknown 732 calls.
732 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | New Jersey |
| Location | Central New Jersey and the northern Jersey Shore |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | June 1, 1997 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 848 (overlay since 2001) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 732 Area Code Located?
Area code 732 is located between New York City and Philadelphia. It serves Middlesex and Monmouth counties, the northern part of Ocean County and parts of Somerset and Union counties. Main places:
- New Brunswick
- Edison
- Woodbridge
- Perth Amboy
- Toms River
- Freehold
- Asbury Park
- Long Branch
- Red Bank
What Time Zone Is the 732 Area Code In?
Central New Jersey 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 732 Area Code
- 1947: all of New Jersey is in 201.
- June 8, 1991: north-central New Jersey is split from 201 as 908.
- June 1, 1997: the southeastern half of 908 is split off as 732.
- December 1, 2001: 848 is added as an overlay, and ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory.
The 732 numbers began to run out only a few years after the code was created, which is why the overlay followed so quickly. The original code is covered in our 201 area code guide.
Commuters and Shore Towns
The 732 area has two sides. Inland, Middlesex County is a busy corridor of commuter towns, a large state university and pharmaceutical and logistics companies. On the coast, Monmouth and Ocean counties are lined with beach towns that fill up every summer. Seasonal rentals, contractors and restaurants there generate a wave of calls and texts between May and September.
How to Dial a 732 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 + 732 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 732 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 732 a Scam?
A 732 call is usually a local resident, school, medical office or contractor. In summer, fake vacation rental listings that ask for a deposit by payment app are a known problem along the Shore.
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 732 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 732 Phone Number
A local 732 number helps a business look established in Central New Jersey.
- Carriers: new lines in the area receive 732 or 848 depending on which has free numbers.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 732 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 732
| 848 | Same area as 732 |
| 908 | Elizabeth, Plainfield |
| 609, 640 | Trenton, Princeton, Atlantic City |
| 201, 551 | Jersey City, Hackensack |
| 973, 862 | Newark, Paterson |
| 718, 347, 929 | Staten Island and other New York City boroughs |
Related guides: 201 area code for northern New Jersey, 267 area code for Philadelphia, 347 area code for New York City.
732 Area Code FAQs
Where is area code 732?
In central New Jersey, including New Brunswick, Edison, Woodbridge, Toms River and Asbury Park.
What is area code 848?
It is the overlay for the 732 area and has been in use since 2001.
Is 732 a New York area code?
No. It is in New Jersey.
What time zone is 732?
Eastern Time.
Is 732 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 732 area code covers central New Jersey and the northern Jersey Shore on Eastern Time. It has been in service since 1997 and shares its area with 848. Check unknown callers before you send money or details.
