The 878 area code is an overlay serving the greater Pittsburgh region, layered over both the city’s 412 code and the surrounding 724 code. Introduced in 2014 to supply new numbers for southwestern Pennsylvania, 878 covers the same territory as 412 and 724 combined. If an 878 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 878 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 878 |
| State | Pennsylvania (PA) |
| Major Cities | Pittsburgh, Washington, Greensburg, Butler |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 412, 724 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 878 covers the entire greater Pittsburgh region, including Allegheny County and the surrounding counties of southwestern Pennsylvania. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 412 and 724 codes rather than covering a separate zone.
- Pittsburgh – the urban core shared with 412
- Washington, Greensburg & Butler – the suburbs shared with 724
- New Castle & Beaver Falls – outer southwestern PA communities
- The full Pittsburgh metro – 878 numbers can be assigned anywhere in the region
As the newest code over southwestern Pennsylvania, 878 numbers are assigned to lines set up after the original 412 and 724 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 878
Area code 878 was activated in 2014 as an all-services overlay covering both the 412 (Pittsburgh) and 724 (suburbs) regions. The 412 code dates to 1947 and 724 to 1998. An overlay adds a new code without changing existing numbers, which is why the Pittsburgh region uses mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 878 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 878
Because 878 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 – 878-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-878-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 878 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 878 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 878 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 878 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 878 is a legitimate Pennsylvania area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 878, 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 Duquesne Light or West Penn 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 878 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 Pennsylvania
Area code 878 shares and borders several other Pennsylvania codes:
- 412 – Pittsburgh and inner Allegheny County (see our 412 area code guide)
- 724 – the Pittsburgh suburbs (see our 724 area code guide)
- 814 & 582 – central and western Pennsylvania to the east (see our 814 area code guide)
- 570 & 272 – northeastern Pennsylvania (see our 570 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:
- New York – area code 212
- New Jersey – area code 201
- Delaware – area code 302
- Maryland – area code 410
- West Virginia – area code 304
- Ohio – area code 216
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 878
Where is the 878 area code located?
Area code 878 covers the greater Pittsburgh region as an overlay of the 412 and 724 codes. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 878, 412, and 724?
There is no separate territory. 878 overlays the same area covered by 412 (Pittsburgh) and 724 (suburbs); it was added in 2014 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 878 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 878 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 878 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 878 Guides
- Is a 878 call safe? Read Is area code 878 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Pittsburgh area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.