The 678 area code is an overlay serving the entire metro Atlanta region in Georgia, layered over both the city’s 404 code and the suburban 770 code. Introduced in 1998 to supply new numbers for a booming region, 678 covers the same territory as 404 and 770 combined. If a 678 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 678 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 678 |
| State | Georgia (GA) |
| Major Cities | Atlanta, Marietta, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 404, 770, 470, 943 (metro Atlanta) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 678 covers the entire metro Atlanta area, 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 and 770 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, 678 numbers are assigned across greater Atlanta alongside 404, 770, 470, and 943.
A Brief History of Area Code 678
Area code 678 was activated in 1998 as the first all-services overlay covering both the 404 (Atlanta) and 770 (suburbs) regions. An overlay adds a new code without changing existing numbers, which is why metro Atlanta uses mandatory 10-digit dialing. Later overlays, 470 (2010) and 943 (2020s), joined the same region.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 678 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 678
Because 678 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 – 678-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-678-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 678 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 678 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 678 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 678 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 678 is a legitimate Georgia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 678, 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 678 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 678 shares and borders several other Georgia codes:
- 404 & 770 – the Atlanta core and suburbs (see our 404 area code guide)
- 470 & 943 – the newer metro Atlanta overlays (see our 470 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 678
Where is the 678 area code located?
Area code 678 covers the entire metro Atlanta region as an overlay of the 404 and 770 codes. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 678 and 404 or 770?
There is no separate territory. 678 overlays the same metro covered by 404 (city) and 770 (suburbs); it was added in 1998 to supply more phone numbers.
Is 678 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 678 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout metro Atlanta.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 678 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 678 Guides
- Is a 678 call safe? Read Is area code 678 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Atlanta area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.