The 973 area code covers a large part of northern New Jersey. Newark, the state’s biggest city, is in it, along with Paterson, Clifton, Montclair and Morristown. It shares the area with 862.
Here are the counties and cities in 973, the time zone, the history and tips for unknown 973 calls.
973 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | New Jersey |
| Location | Northern New Jersey: Newark, Paterson, Morristown |
| 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 | 862 (overlay since December 1, 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 973 Area Code Located?
Area code 973 is located west of the Hudson River waterfront. It covers Essex, Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties and small parts of neighboring counties. Main places:
- Newark
- Paterson
- Clifton
- Passaic
- Montclair
- Morristown
- Parsippany
- The Oranges
Jersey City and Hoboken are in 201 and 551.
What Time Zone Is the 973 Area Code In?
Newark 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 puts 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 973 Area Code
- 1947: all of New Jersey is in 201.
- June 1, 1997: 973 is split from 201.
- December 1, 2001: 862 is added as an overlay, and ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory.
The split was meant to solve a shortage caused by cell phones, pagers and fax machines. It bought only a few years. Within three years 973 was running low as well, and the phone company pushed for an overlay so that customers would not have to change numbers a second time. See our 201 area code guide.
Airport, Port and Suburbs
The 973 area mixes dense cities with quiet suburbs and lake country in the far northwest. Newark has one of the busiest airports in the region and a large seaport next door, along with insurance and pharmaceutical headquarters. Airlines, shippers and corporate offices account for many of the business calls from 973 and 862.
How to Dial a 973 Number
You need the area code for every call, even a local one.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 973 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 973 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 973 a Scam?
A 973 number usually belongs to a household or employer in northern New Jersey. Be careful with calls about flight changes, package fees or account problems that ask you to pay or confirm details on the spot.
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 973 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 973 Phone Number
Want a 973 number of your own? There are a few ways to get one.
- Carriers: new lines in the area receive 973 or 862 depending on which has free numbers.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 973 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 973
| 862 | Same area as 973 |
| 201, 551 | Jersey City, Hoboken, Hackensack |
| 908 | Elizabeth, Plainfield, Somerville |
| 732, 848 | New Brunswick, Edison |
| 845, 329 | Hudson Valley, New York |
| 570, 272 | Northeastern Pennsylvania |
Related guides: 201 area code for Jersey City, 908 area code for north-central New Jersey, 732 area code for central New Jersey.
973 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 973?
Newark, New Jersey. It also covers Paterson, Clifton, Montclair and Morristown.
What is area code 862?
It is the overlay for the 973 area and has been in service since December 1, 2001.
Is Jersey City in 973?
No. Jersey City uses 201 and 551.
What time zone is 973?
Eastern Time.
Is 973 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 973 area code covers Newark and northern New Jersey on Eastern Time. It has been in service since 1997 and shares its area with 862. Let unknown callers leave a message before you respond.
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