The 272 area code is an overlay serving northeastern Pennsylvania, layered over the 570 code across Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and the Poconos. Introduced in 2013 to supply new phone numbers, 272 covers the exact same territory as 570. If a 272 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 272 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 272 |
| State | Pennsylvania (PA) |
| Major Cities | Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Stroudsburg |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 570 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 272 covers northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania, including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, and neighboring counties. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 570 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
- Scranton – the largest city in northeastern Pennsylvania
- Wilkes-Barre – a Luzerne County hub in the Wyoming Valley
- Williamsport – home of the Little League World Series
- Stroudsburg & Pottsville – the Poconos and coal region
As the newer code over northeastern PA, 272 numbers are common among lines set up after the original 570 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 272
Area code 272 was activated in 2013 as an all-services overlay on the 570 region. The 570 code itself split from 717 in 1998. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 570 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either code, under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 272 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 272
Because 272 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 – 272-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-272-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 272 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 272 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 272 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 272 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 272 is a legitimate Pennsylvania area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 272, 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 PPL Electric or UGI disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 272 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 Pennsylvania
Area code 272 shares and borders several other Pennsylvania codes:
- 570 – the original northeastern PA code that 272 overlays (see our 570 area code guide)
- 717 & 223 – south-central Pennsylvania to the south (see our 717 area code guide)
- 610, 484 & 835 – southeastern Pennsylvania to the south (see our 610 area code guide)
- 814 & 582 – central and western Pennsylvania to the west (see our 814 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:
- New York – area code 212
- New Jersey – area code 201
- Delaware – area code 302
- Maryland – area code 410
- West Virginia – area code 304
- Ohio – area code 216
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 272
Where is the 272 area code located?
Area code 272 covers northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport, as an overlay of the 570 code. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 272 and 570?
There is no geographic difference. 272 overlays the exact same northeastern-PA territory as 570; it was added in 2013 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 272 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 272 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 272 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 272 Guides
- Is a 272 call safe? Read Is area code 272 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Scranton area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.