The 773 area code covers the City of Chicago outside the downtown core, serving the neighborhoods that ring the Loop. Created in 1996 in a split from the original 312 code, it shares the city today with 312 and the 872 overlay. If a 773 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 773 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 773 |
| State | Illinois (IL) |
| Major Cities | Chicago (city neighborhoods) |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 312, 872 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 773 covers the City of Chicago outside the central business district, wrapping around the downtown 312 zone to take in the residential and commercial neighborhoods across the North, West, and South sides.
- North Side – neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Rogers Park
- South Side – communities including Hyde Park, Bronzeville, and Beverly
- West Side – areas such as Austin, Humboldt Park, and Pilsen
- Citywide neighborhoods – virtually all of Chicago beyond the downtown 312 core
As one of the two main city codes, a 773 number is a classic mark of Chicago neighborhood identity for residents and businesses alike.
A Brief History of Area Code 773
Area code 773 was created in 1996 in a split from the original 312 code, which had served all of Chicago since 1947. To relieve number shortages, 312 was confined to the central downtown area while 773 took the surrounding neighborhoods. In 2009, the 872 overlay was added across the entire city, and Chicago has used mandatory 10-digit dialing ever since.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 773 area code use Central Time (CT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 773
Because 773 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 – 773-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-773-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 773 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 773 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 773 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 773 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 773 is a legitimate Illinois area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 773, 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 ComEd or Peoples Gas disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 773 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 Illinois
Area code 773 shares and borders several other Illinois codes:
- 312 – downtown and central Chicago (see our 312 area code guide)
- 872 – the overlay covering the entire City of Chicago (see our 872 area code guide)
- 847 & 224 – the northern suburbs (see our 847 area code guide)
- 708 & 464 – the southern and near-west suburbs (see our 708 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Illinois 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 Illinois:
- Wisconsin – area code 414
- Iowa – area code 515
- Missouri – area code 314
- Kentucky – area code 502
- Indiana – area code 317
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 773
Where is the 773 area code located?
Area code 773 covers the City of Chicago outside the downtown core, including North, South, and West side neighborhoods. It operates on Central Time and shares the city with 312 and 872.
What is the difference between 773 and 312?
312 covers Chicago’s central downtown (the Loop and nearby), while 773 covers the surrounding city neighborhoods. The 872 overlay sits on top of both.
Is 773 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 773 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout Chicago.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 773 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 773 Guides
- Is a 773 call safe? Read Is area code 773 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Chicago area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.