The 916 area code serves the Sacramento metropolitan area in California, centered on the state capital. One of the original area codes assigned in 1947, 916 today covers Sacramento and its fast-growing suburbs and is overlaid by area code 279. If a 916 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 916 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 916 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Folsom |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 279 |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 916 covers the Sacramento region in the northern Central Valley, including most of Sacramento County and parts of Placer, Sutter, and Yolo counties. Anchored by the state capital, it takes in a dense ring of suburbs that have grown rapidly over the past two decades.
Cities and communities served by the 916 area code include:
- Sacramento – the capital of California and the region’s economic and political hub
- Elk Grove & Rancho Cordova – major southern and eastern suburbs
- Roseville & Rocklin – fast-growing Placer County communities
- Folsom & Citrus Heights – established suburbs east and northeast of the city
As the phone code of the seat of California’s government, a 916 number carries strong regional identity for agencies, businesses, and residents across greater Sacramento.
A Brief History of Area Code 916
Area code 916 was one of the original area codes created in 1947, and it once covered a huge swath of northeastern California. In 1997, the rural and mountain counties to the north and east were split off into area code 530, shrinking 916 to the Sacramento metro. As demand kept rising, area code 279 was added as an overlay in 2018, placing a second code over the same territory and making 10-digit dialing mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 916 area code use Pacific Time (PT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from PST (UTC-8) to PDT (UTC-7) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 916
Because of the 279 overlay, the Sacramento area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code – 916-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-916-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 916 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 916 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 916 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 916 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 916 is a legitimate California area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, because 916 is tied to state government, scammers frequently spoof it, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from an official Sacramento 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, SSA, or a “state agency” threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a “failed delivery” with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 916 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 California
Area code 916 sits alongside several other Northern California codes:
- 279 – the overlay that shares the Sacramento region with 916
- 530 – the northern and mountain counties split from 916 in 1997
- 209 – Stockton, Modesto, and the northern San Joaquin Valley (see our 209 area code guide)
- 707 – the North Bay and Wine Country (see our 707 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our California 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 California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 916
Where is the 916 area code located?
Area code 916 covers the Sacramento metropolitan area in California, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, and Folsom. It operates on Pacific Time and is overlaid by area code 279.
Is 916 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 916 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Sacramento region.
What is the 279 area code?
Area code 279 is an overlay introduced in 2018 that covers the same geographic area as 916. New numbers in the region may be assigned either code, which is why 10-digit dialing is required.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 916 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 916 Guides
- Is a 916 call safe? Read Is area code 916 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Sacramento area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.