The 470 area code is an overlay serving metro Atlanta, layered over the city’s 404, the suburban 770, and the 678 codes. Introduced in 2010 to supply new phone numbers for the fast-growing region, 470 covers the same territory as the rest of the metro Atlanta family. If a 470 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 470 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 470 |
| State | Georgia (GA) |
| Major Cities | Atlanta, Marietta, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 404, 770, 678, 943 (metro Atlanta) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 470 covers the entire metro Atlanta region, from the urban core out through the suburbs across Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and neighboring counties. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 404, 770, and 678 codes rather than covering a separate zone.
- Atlanta – the urban core shared with 404
- Marietta & Sandy Springs – major Cobb and Fulton suburbs
- Alpharetta & Roswell – fast-growing north Fulton cities
- Lawrenceville & Duluth – Gwinnett County communities
As a metro-wide overlay, 470 numbers are assigned across greater Atlanta alongside 404, 770, 678, and 943.
A Brief History of Area Code 470
Area code 470 was activated in 2010 as an all-services overlay covering the entire metro Atlanta region, joining 404, 770, and 678. An overlay adds a new code without changing existing numbers, which is why metro Atlanta uses mandatory 10-digit dialing. The 943 overlay later joined the same region.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 470 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 470
Because 470 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 – 470-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-470-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 470 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 470 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 470 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 470 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 470 is a legitimate Georgia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 470, 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 470 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 470 shares and borders several other Georgia codes:
- 404 & 770 – the Atlanta core and suburbs (see our 404 area code guide)
- 678 & 943 – the other metro Atlanta overlays (see our 678 area code guide)
- 706 & 762 – north Georgia (see our 706 area code guide)
- 478 – central Georgia and Macon (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 470
Where is the 470 area code located?
Area code 470 covers the entire metro Atlanta region as an overlay of the 404, 770, and 678 codes. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 470 and the other Atlanta codes?
There is no separate territory. 470 overlays the same metro covered by 404, 770, 678, and 943; it was added in 2010 to supply more phone numbers.
Is 470 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 470 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout metro Atlanta.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 470 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 470 Guides
- Is a 470 call safe? Read Is area code 470 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Atlanta area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.