How are area codes determined in the US?

The NANP divides the territories of its members into numbering plan areas (NPAs) which are encoded numerically with a three-digit telephone number prefix, commonly called the area code. Each telephone is assigned a seven-digit telephone number unique only within its respective numbering plan area.

Can phone numbers be the same with different area codes?

Yes. The area code is the first three digits in a ten digit number in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) that the US uses. The final seven digits can be the “same” in each area code.

How are US phone numbers formatted?

North American phone numbers To format phone numbers in the US, Canada, and other NANP (North American Numbering Plan) countries, enclose the area code in parentheses followed by a space, and then hyphenate the three-digit exchange code with the four-digit number.

Are area codes based on population?

This random jump of numbers is because geography didn’t determine area code designations—population density did. By 1947, the majority of the states had one area code with a select few (such as California) getting more due to the state’s size and population, according to telephone researcher Linc Madison.

How many phone number combinations are possible?

Each area code has 792 prefixes or “NXX” codes. Each NXX has 10,000 possible numbers. Therefore, theoretically, there are 7,920,000 telephone numbers per area code.

How do I add a US country code to a phone number?

The USA country code is +1. You will add it to the beginning of any phone number you are dialing that’s in the US….In short:

1. Dial the international exit country code (or replace it with + on a mobile device)
2. Add the US country code (1)
3. Add the US area code from the list below.
4. Complete with the local phone number.

Can two people have the same phone number?

Two phones can not have the same number, the system won’t let it. If people are calling you saying you called them when you did not, that just means your number was being spoofed.

How do you write a US phone number with country code?

In the US, phone numbers are constructed with a 3-digital area code, followed by a 7-digit local number….An example of a US phone number

1. 00 – the exit code to dial outside the States.
2. 1 – the US country code.
3. 202 – the local DC area code.
4. 588-6500 – the rest of the embassy’s number.

What is the international format for a US phone number?

+1
United States/Dialing codes

How many phone numbers are possible in the US?

In North America, each area code has a potential capacity of around 8 million unique phone numbers — 7,919,900, to be exact. Many area codes have exhausted all possible phone numbers, so one or more area codes are added to accommodate.

What is an area code for a phone number?

Area Codes Search Notes. Fixed phone numbers in the United States are comprised of a single country code (+1), a 3 digit area code, a 3 digit local office code (or region code), and a 4 digit line code. Making a call with the wrong country, area, or region code can be costly.

Why do US states have different area codes?

Some US states are assigned to a single area code if their population is not that high, while many US state area codes have been created and added to states that have a much larger population. By adding new area codes, millions of new numbers become available for a specific region of a state.

When did area codes start in the US?

US Area Codes By State. On January 1, 1947, the first North American area codes were issued in regions where standard 7 digit dialing codes were scheduled to be exhaused the soonest. By adding a 3 digit prefix to a 7 digit local number, this allowed for hundreds of millons of new phone numbers to be issued.

Who is in charge of area codes in the US?

The United States area codes were created and are monitored by Federal state authorities, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANP), and the FCC have jurisdiction over the telephone number administration. The FCC gives the authority to states when deciding when and how to add and introduce area code listings by number in the US.