202 area code: location, overlays and numbers
The US telephone area code 202 serves Washington, Washington DC, and has been in service since 1947. It shares an overlay with 771.
- Location
- Washington, Washington DC
- Service since
- 1947
- Time zone used
- Eastern time
- Overlay
- 771
- Local calling
- Full 10-digit dialling
- Telephone rate centres
- 1
- Expected exhaust
- 2088
- Country calling code
- +1 (United States)
The information comes from NANPA public reports, including the area code report and rate-centre report, dated 11/01/2026. The exhaust year comes from NANPA projections 2026-1 (April 2026). We are not an official NANPA site.
Get your own 202 number
You can reach a 202 number in two ways. New numbers come from the pool a provider holds in the code. The provider assigns one with its plan, and you select it when signing up. Sellers list numbers they already hold for a one-time price, and those numbers often have a pattern. After choosing one, you transfer it to a provider.
Providers, ranked by first-year cost
| Provider | Cheapest plan | First year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 Free app | Basic (Just for me), free | $0 | Open Google Voice |
 Free app | Free plan, free | $0 | Open TextNow |
 Developer API | Pay-as-you-go local number, $1.15 a month | $13.80 | Open Twilio |
 Second-number app | Standard, $3.99 a month billed yearly | $47.99 | Open Burner |
 Toll-free specialist | Solo, $6.99 a month billed yearly | $84 | Open UniTel Voice |
 Second-number app | Deluxe (local number), $6.99 a month billed yearly | $102.88 | Open GoDaddy Conversations (formerly Smartline) |
Sellers listing local numbers
| Seller | What it sells | Listed price | Monthly fee | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Marketplace | Local numbers | From $9 one-time | None stated | Search at Exclusive Digits |
 Marketplace | Local and toll-free | From $9.95 one-time | $2.99 a month | Search at NumberBarn |
 Number broker | Local and toll-free | From $99 one-time | None stated | Search at RingBoost |
 Number broker | Local and toll-free | From $100 one-time | None stated | Search at PhoneNumberExpert |
| 212areacode.comNumber broker | Local numbers | From $150 one-time | None stated | Search at 212areacode.com |
Some sellers and providers may pay us a referral fee. First-year cost determines the order, which a referral fee never changes. How we earn
Area codes with a connection
The same area and the same pool of numbers: 771. Any of these codes can supply a new number in this area, so ask for the one you want.
202 area code questions
Where is the 202 area code located?
Calls to numbers with 202 ring in Washington, Washington DC, and around Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV.
What country code goes with a 202 number?
+1. The North American Numbering Plan includes 202. From abroad, dial +1 202 followed by the 7-digit number.
What time is it in the 202 area code?
Eastern time applies to 202.
Who calls using a 202 number?
Homes, mobiles, local businesses and callers who fake a local number all use numbers in this code. A 202 number on your screen identifies where it was assigned, not the person calling.
Is 202 toll-free?
No. Calls to local area code 202 are charged like any other US call. Toll-free prefixes in the US are 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833.
Why do people want 202 numbers?
Because 202 was the first code for a big city and one of the 86 original area codes from 1947, sellers ask more for its numbers. It receives the highest area-code score under our appraisal rubric.