Massachusetts Area Code Information

Massachusetts Area Codes


Massachusetts Area Code Overlays
(781 and 339) - (978 and 351)
(508 and 774) - (617 and 857)


Massachusetts is currently using nine area codes. Massachusetts is utilizing four area code overlay plans, often called overlay complexes.

Massachusetts originally had two area codes, 413 and 617, when the numbering system was established in 1947. Forty-one years later in 1988 Massachusetts had experienced sufficient growth in population and telephone use to need an additional area code. To meet this increase in demand area code 617 was split in 1988 to form area code 508. It was nine years later in 1997 before the demand for new numbers in Massachusetts required a second split of area code 617 to form area code 781. Area code 617 was then overlaid with area code 857 in 2001.

In 1997 area code 508 which had been formed in 1988 by a split of area code 617, was itself split to form area code 978. In 2001 area code 774 was formed and utilized as an overlay of area code 508.

Changes and History of Massachusetts Area Codes:

01/01/1947
Area code 413 was put into service.

Massachusetts Area Code Map


01/01/1947
Area code 617 was put into service. In 1988 area code 617 was split to form area code 508. In 1997 area code 617 was split to form area code 781. In 2001 area code 617 was overlaid with area code 857.

07/16/1988
Area code 508 was put into service. Area code 508 was created from a split of area code 617. In 1997 area code 508 was split to form area code 978. In 2001 area code 508 was overlaid with area code 774.

09/01/1997
Area code 781 was put into service. Area code 781 was created from a split of area code 617. In 2001 area code 781 was overlaid with area code 339.

09/01/1997
Area code 978 was put into service. Area code 978 was created from a split of area code 508. In 2001 area code 978 was overlaid with area code 351.

05/02/2001
Area code 339 was put into service. Area code 339 is an overlay of area code 781.

05/02/2001
Area code 351 was put into service. Area code 351 is an overlay of area code 978.

05/02/2001
Area code 774 was put into service. Area code 774 is an overlay of area code 508.

05/02/2001
Area code 857 was put into service. Area code 857 is an overlay of area code 617.