202 Area Code: Washington, DC

Area code 202 serves Washington, DC — the capital of the United States. It is the only area code that covers the District of Columbia exclusively, sharing its territory with overlay code 771. If you need a local presence in the nation capital, you can get a 202 phone number through Telnyx.

What area does 202 cover?

Area code 202 covers the entire District of Columbia — all 68 square miles of the federal district. Unlike state-based area codes, 202 serves only Washington, DC.

The District is bordered by Maryland to the north, east, and south, and Virginia to the west across the Potomac River. For complete coverage details, see the NANPA area code map.

202 area code time zone

Area code 202 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 202 area code

The 202 area code is one of the original North American area codes established in 1947 when AT&T created the North American Numbering Plan. It has always served Washington, DC exclusively.

Remarkably, 202 has never been split — it has covered the same territory for over 75 years, making it one of the few original area codes to retain its original boundaries. In 2021, the 771 overlay was added to provide additional number capacity.

Today, 202 and 771 serve the same geographic area. New phone lines may be assigned either area code, and 10-digit dialing is required for all local calls. For regulatory details, visit the DC Public Service Commission.

Why the 202 region matters for business

Washington, DC is unlike any other city in America — the center of federal government and a major hub for policy, advocacy, and international affairs:

Federal Government

• Executive branch — White House, federal agencies
• Legislative branch — US Capitol, Congressional offices
• Judicial branch — Supreme Court, federal courts
• Largest employer in the region

Advocacy & Policy

• Thousands of trade associations
• Lobbying firms and PACs
• Think tanks and policy institutes
• Nonprofit headquarters

International

• 177 foreign embassies
• World Bank, IMF headquarters
• International development organizations
• Global NGOs

Professional Services

• Major law firms
• Government contractors
• Consulting firms
• Public affairs and communications

A local 202 number carries significant weight — it signals a presence in the nation capital. For government affairs, advocacy, or federal contracting, a DC number can be essential for credibility.

Get a 202 phone number

Telnyx offers local phone numbers in the 202 area code. 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 DC numbers to Telnyx

Browse available 202 numbers or contact sales to discuss your needs.

Neighboring area codes

Frequently asked questions

What area code is 202? Area code 202 serves Washington, DC — the capital of the United States. It covers only the District of Columbia.

What time zone is 202? Eastern Time (ET) — UTC-5 standard, UTC-4 during daylight saving.

Is 202 the same as 771? Yes, 771 is an overlay that covers the same geographic area as 202. Both area codes serve Washington, DC.

Why is 202 significant? The 202 area code is one of the original 1947 area codes and has never been split. It exclusively serves the nation capital, making it one of the most recognizable area codes in the country.