The 201 area code serves Hudson and Bergen counties in northeastern New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. As the very first area code assigned in the country in 1947, it is one of the most historic codes in North America and is now overlaid by area code 551. If a 201 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 201 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 201 |
| State | New Jersey (NJ) |
| Major Cities | Jersey City, Hackensack, Bayonne, Fort Lee |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 551 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 201 covers Hudson and Bergen counties in the densely populated northeast corner of New Jersey, directly opposite Manhattan across the Hudson River.
- Jersey City – the second-largest city in New Jersey, on the Hudson waterfront
- Hackensack & Bayonne – major Bergen and Hudson County cities
- Fort Lee & Englewood – communities near the George Washington Bridge
- Union City & Hoboken – dense Hudson County cities
From the Hudson waterfront skyline to bustling Bergen County suburbs, a 201 number is closely tied to the identity of northeastern New Jersey.
A Brief History of Area Code 201
Area code 201 holds a unique place in history as the first area code ever assigned, in 1947, when it covered the entire state of New Jersey. Over the decades it was split many times – 609 in 1958, 908 in 1991, and 973 in 1997 – until it was confined to Hudson and Bergen counties. The 551 overlay was added in 2001, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 201 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 201
Because 201 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 201-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-201-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 201 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 201 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 201 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 201 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 201 is a legitimate New Jersey area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 201, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake PSE&G disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 201 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in New Jersey
Area code 201 shares and borders several other New Jersey codes:
- 551 – the overlay that shares Hudson and Bergen counties with 201 (see our 551 area code guide)
- 973 & 862 – the Newark, Essex, and Passaic area to the west (see our 973 area code guide)
- 908 – central-northern New Jersey to the southwest (see our 908 area code guide)
- 732 & 848 – central New Jersey and the shore to the south (see our 732 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our New Jersey area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border New Jersey:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 201
Where is the 201 area code located?
Area code 201 covers Hudson and Bergen counties in northeastern New Jersey, including Jersey City, Hackensack, Bayonne, and Fort Lee. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 551.
What is the difference between 201 and 551?
There is no geographic difference. 551 is an overlay covering the exact same Hudson and Bergen territory as 201; it was added in 2001 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 201 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 201 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout northeastern New Jersey.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 201 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 201 Guides
- Is a 201 call safe? Read Is area code 201 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.