The 516 area code serves Nassau County on Long Island, New York — the densely populated suburbs just east of New York City. Established in 1951, 516 covers communities such as Hempstead, Freeport, Levittown, and Garden City. If a 516 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to protect yourself from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 516 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 516 |
| State | New York (NY) |
| Major Cities | Hempstead, Freeport, Levittown, Garden City (Nassau County) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 363 |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 516 covers Nassau County, the inner suburban county of Long Island situated between the New York City borough of Queens and Suffolk County to the east. It is one of the most densely populated suburban regions in the United States.
Communities served by the 516 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
As the phone code of Long Island’s inner suburbs, a 516 number carries a distinctly Nassau County identity valued by residents and local businesses.
A Brief History of Area Code 516
Area code 516 was created in 1951 when it split from 212, originally covering all of Long Island — both Nassau and Suffolk counties. As the island’s population soared, Suffolk County was split off into the new 631 area code in 1999, leaving 516 to serve Nassau County alone. To add further capacity, the 363 overlay was later introduced across the same territory, bringing mandatory 10-digit dialing to the county.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 516 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 516
Because of the 363 overlay, Nassau County requires 10-digit dialing for every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 516-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-516-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 516 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 516 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 516 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 516 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 516 is a legitimate New York area code, so a 516 call is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof the code so their calls appear to come from a trusted local Long Island number. Neighbor spoofing, which imitates 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 516 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 516 borders several other downstate New York codes:
- 363 — the overlay covering the same Nassau County territory
- 631 — Suffolk County, the rest of Long Island to the east
- 718, 347 & 929 — Queens and the other NYC outer boroughs (see the 718 area code)
- 212, 646 & 917 — New York City proper (read about the 212 area code)
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 516
Where is the 516 area code located?
Area code 516 covers Nassau County on Long Island, New York, including Hempstead, Freeport, Levittown, and Garden City. It operates on Eastern Time and shares its territory with the 363 overlay.
Is 516 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 516 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout Nassau County.
What is the difference between 516 and 631?
516 covers Nassau County (inner Long Island), while 631 covers Suffolk County (outer Long Island). The two split in 1999 as Long Island’s population grew.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 516 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 516 Guides
- Is a 516 call safe? Read Is area code 516 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.