The 404 area code is the iconic phone code of Atlanta, Georgia, the heart of the Southeast’s largest metro. One of the original 1947 codes, it anchors the city of Atlanta and is joined by the 678, 770, 470, and 943 codes across the metro. If a 404 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 404 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 404 |
| State | Georgia (GA) |
| Major Cities | Atlanta, Decatur, East Point |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 678, 770, 470, 943 (metro Atlanta) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 404 covers the city of Atlanta and the urban core of Fulton and DeKalb counties. As the founding code of the region, it is prized as the signature Atlanta code, while the suburbs use 770 and the whole metro shares the 678, 470, and 943 overlays.
- Atlanta – the capital of Georgia and economic hub of the Southeast
- Decatur & East Point – inner communities in DeKalb and Fulton counties
- Buckhead & Midtown – major Atlanta business and residential districts
- The urban core – downtown, the universities, and the inner neighborhoods
As the original Atlanta code, a 404 number is prized as a mark of authentic, long-established roots in the city.
A Brief History of Area Code 404
Area code 404 was one of the original area codes established in 1947, originally covering the northern half of Georgia. As Atlanta boomed, the suburbs split off into the new 770 code in 1995, and 404 was confined to the urban core. The 678 overlay was added across the metro in 1998, followed by 470 in 2010 and 943 in the 2020s, all under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 404 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 404
Because 404 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 – 404-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-404-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 404 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 404 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 404 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 404 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 404 is a legitimate Georgia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 404, 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 Georgia Power disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 404 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 Georgia
Area code 404 shares and borders several other Georgia codes:
- 770 – the Atlanta suburbs, split from 404 in 1995 (see our 770 area code guide)
- 678, 470 & 943 – overlays covering the entire metro Atlanta region (see our 678 area code guide)
- 706 & 762 – north Georgia (Augusta, Columbus, Athens) (see our 706 area code guide)
- 478 – central Georgia and Macon to the south (see our 478 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Georgia 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 Georgia:
- Florida – area code 305
- Alabama – area code 205
- Tennessee – area code 615
- North Carolina – area code 704
- South Carolina – area code 803
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 404
Where is the 404 area code located?
Area code 404 covers the city of Atlanta and inner Fulton and DeKalb counties, Georgia. It operates on Eastern Time and shares the metro with the 678, 770, 470, and 943 codes.
What is the difference between 404, 678, 770, 470, and 943?
404 is the Atlanta core and 770 the suburbs, while 678, 470, and 943 are overlays covering the whole metro. Together they serve the greater Atlanta region.
Is 404 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 404 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout Atlanta.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 404 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 404 Guides
- Is a 404 call safe? Read Is area code 404 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Atlanta area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.