The 363 area code is an overlay serving Nassau County on Long Island, New York, sharing the same territory as the established 516 code. A newer addition placed in service in the early 2020s, 363 reaches communities such as Hempstead, Freeport, Levittown, and Garden City. If a 363 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 363 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 363 |
| State | New York (NY) |
| Major Cities | Hempstead, Freeport, Levittown, Garden City (Nassau County) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 516 (shared territory) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 363 is an overlay — it occupies the exact same footprint as 516 rather than a separate area. Together they serve Nassau County, the inner suburban county of Long Island between the New York City borough of Queens and Suffolk County to the east.
Communities served by the 363 area code include:
- Hempstead — the county’s largest town, home to Hofstra University
- Freeport and Long Beach — popular South Shore waterfront communities
- Levittown — the famous post-war planned suburb
- Garden City, Mineola, and Hicksville — central Nassau business and transit hubs
Because it shares Nassau County with 516, a 363 number carries the same Long Island suburban identity — it simply reflects a more recently issued line.
A Brief History of Area Code 363
Area code 363 was authorized as an overlay for the 516 region and placed in service in the early 2020s. As Nassau County ran low on available 516 numbers, regulators added 363 across the same territory rather than splitting the county, so existing customers kept their numbers. New lines in Nassau County may now be assigned either 516 or 363, and the area uses mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 363 area code operate on Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, switching from EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4) between March and November.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 363
Because 363 overlays 516, Nassau County requires 10-digit dialing for every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 363-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-363-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 363 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 363 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 363 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 363 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 363 is a legitimate New York area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. Because 363 is newer and less familiar, some people are wary of it, and scammers may spoof the code to disguise their real number as a local Long Island line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics your own number’s first six digits, is especially common in high-population suburbs like Nassau County.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Bank & card impersonation | Alerts about “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening legal action |
| Home-services scams | Fake calls about “required” repairs, warranties, or inspections |
| Debt-collection fraud | Pressure to pay a debt you do not recognize |
How to report, block, and look up 363 callers
- Never share personal or banking details with an unexpected caller.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before calling back.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in New York
Area code 363 shares and borders several other downstate New York codes:
- 516 — the original Nassau County code that 363 overlays (see our 516 area code guide)
- 631 — Suffolk County, the rest of Long Island to the east (see our 631 area code guide)
- 718, 347 & 929 — Queens and the other NYC outer boroughs (see the 718 area code)
- 212, 646 & 917 — New York City proper
Explore more codes across the state on our New York 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 York:
- New Jersey – area code 201
- Pennsylvania – area code 215
- Connecticut – area code 203
- Massachusetts – area code 617
- Vermont – area code 802
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 363
Where is the 363 area code located?
Area code 363 covers Nassau County on Long Island, New York — the same area as 516 — including Hempstead, Freeport, Levittown, and Garden City. It operates on Eastern Time.
Is 363 a real area code?
Yes. It is a legitimate New York area code, added as an overlay for the 516 region to provide additional phone numbers for Nassau County.
Is 363 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. As a newer overlay, 363 is assigned to landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers across Nassau County.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 363 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 363 Guides
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.