The 718 area code is the primary telephone prefix for the outer boroughs of New York City — Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Introduced in 1984 to relieve the overloaded 212 code, 718 has become synonymous with the vast, diverse neighborhoods that make up most of the city outside Manhattan. If a 718 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 718 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 718 |
| State | New York (NY) |
| Major Cities | New York City (Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 347, 929 (and 917 for mobile) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 718 covers four of New York City’s five boroughs, taking in everything except Manhattan. It spans four counties — Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Bronx, and Richmond (Staten Island) — an enormous, densely populated area of more than six million residents.
Neighborhoods and districts served by the 718 area code include:
- Brooklyn — Williamsburg, Park Slope, Bushwick, Bay Ridge, and Coney Island
- Queens — Astoria, Flushing, Jamaica, Long Island City, and Forest Hills
- The Bronx — Riverdale, Fordham, Pelham Bay, and the area around Yankee Stadium
- Staten Island — St. George, Tottenville, and the communities along the North Shore
Because it covers such a broad cross-section of the city, a 718 number signals an authentic outer-borough New York presence for residents and businesses alike.
A Brief History of Area Code 718
Area code 718 was created in 1984, split off from 212 to meet surging demand for phone numbers in New York City. Initially it served Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and eventually the Bronx (which joined in 1992). As growth continued, the region received overlays: 347 was introduced in 1999 and 929 in 2011, both covering the same outer-borough territory. Together, 718, 347, and 929 now share this geography under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 718 area code operate on Eastern Time (ET). Like most of the United States, 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 718
Because of overlay codes, New York City requires 10-digit dialing for every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 718-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-718-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 718 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 718 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 718 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 718 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 718 is a legitimate New York City area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, because 718 is so widespread and trusted, scammers frequently spoof it, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a local borough line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics your own number’s first six digits, 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 |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to keep power or gas on |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Debt-collection scams | Pressure to pay a debt you do not recognize |
How to report, block, and look up 718 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 New York
Area code 718 sits within a dense cluster of New York City and downstate codes. Related and adjacent area codes include:
- 347 & 929 — overlay codes serving the same outer boroughs as 718
- 917 — the mobile overlay covering all five NYC boroughs (see our 917 area code guide)
- 212, 646 & 332 — Manhattan (read about the 212 area code and 646 area code)
- 516 (Nassau/Long Island), 914 (Westchester), and 631 (Suffolk County)
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 718
Where is the 718 area code located?
Area code 718 covers four boroughs of New York City — Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island — everywhere except Manhattan. It operates on Eastern Time and shares its territory with the 347 and 929 overlays.
Is 718 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 718 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers across the outer boroughs. Many NYC cell phones also use the 917 overlay.
Why do New Yorkers value a 718 number?
718 is closely tied to authentic outer-borough identity, from Brooklyn to the Bronx. Local businesses and long-time residents often prefer it as a mark of genuine neighborhood roots.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 718 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 718 Guides
- Is a 718 call safe? Read Is area code 718 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.