The 917 area code covers all of New York City. Unlike 212 or 718, it is not tied to one borough. This guide explains where 917 is, what time it is there, why the code was created and how to deal with 917 calls from numbers you do not know.
917 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | New York |
| Location | All five boroughs of New York City |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1992 |
| Type | Overlay area code |
| Shares its area with | 212, 646, 332, 718, 347, 929 |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 917 Area Code Located?
Area code 917 serves all five boroughs:
- Manhattan
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- The Bronx
- Staten Island
It sits on top of the other city codes. Manhattan also uses 212, 646 and 332. The other four boroughs also use 718, 347 and 929.
What Time Zone Is the 917 Area Code In?
New York City 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 917 Area Code
917 was introduced in 1992 and was the first overlay area code in the North American Numbering Plan. Instead of splitting the city again, the new code was laid over the whole of New York City.
It was meant mainly for mobile phones and pagers, which were using up numbers quickly. That is why many long-time New Yorkers still think of 917 as the cell phone code. Today it can be assigned to any kind of line, but new 917 numbers are hard to get.
How to Dial a 917 Number
You need the area code for every call, even a local one.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 917 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 917 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 917 a Scam?
Most 917 calls are from real New Yorkers, usually on mobile phones. Scammers spoof 917 too, since a New York mobile number looks personal and trustworthy.
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 917 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 917 Phone Number
Want a 917 number of your own? There are a few ways to get one.
- Carriers: ask a carrier for a New York City number. 917 is scarce, so 646, 332, 347 or 929 is more likely.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 917 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 917
| 212, 646, 332 | Manhattan |
| 718, 347, 929 | Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island |
| 516 | Nassau County, Long Island |
| 914 | Westchester County |
| 201, 551 | Northeast New Jersey: Jersey City, Hackensack |
Related guides: 646 area code for Manhattan, 347 area code for Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, 929 area code for the outer boroughs.
917 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 917?
New York City. The code covers all five boroughs.
Is 917 only for cell phones?
No. It was created mainly for mobile phones and pagers, but it can be used on any type of line.
Is 917 the same as 212?
No. 212 is only Manhattan. 917 covers the whole city, including Manhattan.
Is 917 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 917 area code means New York City, most often a mobile phone. If you do not know the caller, let it go to voicemail and verify before you call back.
Pingback: 929 Area Code: Location, Time Zone & Scam Calls (2026)
Pingback: 347 Area Code: Location, Time Zone & Spam Calls (2026)