212 Area Code: Manhattan, NYC

Area code 212 serves Manhattan, the iconic heart of New York City. It shares its coverage area with overlay codes 332, 646, and 917. If you need a local presence in Manhattan, you can get a 212 phone number through Telnyx.

What area does 212 cover?

Area codes 212, 332, 646, and 917 all serve Manhattan — the 23-square-mile island at the center of New York City.

Manhattan is bordered by the Hudson River (west), East River (east), Harlem River (north), and New York Harbor (south). For complete coverage details, see the NANPA area code map.

212 area code time zone

Area code 212 is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). During standard time, this is UTC-5 (EST). During daylight saving time, it shifts to UTC-4 (EDT).

History of the 212 area code

The 212 area code is one of the original North American area codes established in 1947. It originally covered all of New York City and was chosen because it was the fastest to dial on rotary phones — 2-1-2 required minimal finger movement.

As demand for phone numbers grew, Manhattan area codes evolved:

• 1984 — 718 split off for outer boroughs
• 1992 — 917 added as overlay (originally for cell phones/pagers)
• 1999 — 646 added as overlay
• 2017 — 332 added as newest overlay

Today, the 212 is considered prestigious — a status symbol that signals "old New York" authenticity. All four area codes (212, 332, 646, 917) serve the same geographic area. For regulatory details, visit the New York Public Service Commission.

Why Manhattan matters for business

Manhattan is the commercial and financial capital of the world, home to virtually every major industry:

Finance

• Wall Street and New York Stock Exchange
• Major investment banks and hedge funds
• Insurance and financial services
• Fintech innovation

Media & Entertainment

• Major broadcast networks (NBC, ABC, CBS)
• Publishing houses
• Advertising agencies (Madison Avenue)
• Broadway theater

Technology

• Silicon Alley tech startups
• Major tech company offices (Google, Meta, Amazon)
• Venture capital
• Digital media

Professional Services

• Global law firms
• Big Four accounting
• Management consulting
• Corporate headquarters

A local 212 number carries significant prestige — it signals an established Manhattan presence. For businesses targeting New York clients, a NYC area code can be essential for credibility.

Get a 212 phone number

Telnyx offers local phone numbers in Manhattan area codes. You get:

• Instant provisioning — activate numbers in minutes, not days
• Flexible pricing — pay only for what you use
• Voice, SMS, and MMS — full communication capabilities
• API access — programmatic number management
• Number portability — bring your existing NYC numbers to Telnyx

Browse available NYC numbers or contact sales to discuss your needs.

Neighboring area codes

Frequently asked questions

What area code is 212? Area code 212 serves Manhattan in New York City. It is one of the original 1947 area codes and is considered highly prestigious.

What time zone is 212? Eastern Time (ET) — UTC-5 standard, UTC-4 during daylight saving.

Are 212, 332, 646, and 917 the same area? Yes, all four area codes serve Manhattan. They are overlays covering the same geographic area.

Why is 212 considered prestigious? The 212 is an original 1947 area code that has always served Manhattan. Having a 212 number is seen as a status symbol signaling an established, authentic New York presence.