The 703 area code serves Northern Virginia, the populous suburbs of Washington, D.C. including Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax. One of the original 1947 codes, it is now overlaid by area code 571. If a 703 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 703 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 703 |
| State | Virginia (VA) |
| Major Cities | Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Tysons |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 571 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 703 covers Northern Virginia, the Virginia suburbs of the nation’s capital, including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.
- Arlington & Alexandria – dense inner suburbs across the Potomac from Washington
- Fairfax & Tysons – major business and edge-city centers
- McLean & Reston – affluent Fairfax County communities
- Woodbridge & Manassas – Prince William County cities
From the Pentagon and federal contractors to booming tech corridors, a 703 number is closely tied to the identity of Northern Virginia.
A Brief History of Area Code 703
Area code 703 was one of the original area codes established in 1947, when it covered the entire state of Virginia. Over the decades it was split repeatedly – 804 in 1973, 540 in 1995 – until it was confined to Northern Virginia. The 571 overlay was added in 2000, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 703 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 703
Because 703 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 – 703-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-703-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 703 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 703 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 703 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 703 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 703 is a legitimate Virginia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 703, 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 & federal-agency impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS, SSA, or a federal agency threatening arrest |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Dominion Energy disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 703 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 Virginia
Area code 703 shares and borders several other Virginia codes:
- 571 – the overlay that shares Northern Virginia with 703 (see our 571 area code guide)
- 540 – the Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia to the southwest (see our 540 area code guide)
- 804 & 686 – the Richmond area to the south (see our 804 area code guide)
- 434 – Charlottesville and south-central Virginia (see our 434 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Virginia 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 Virginia:
- Maryland – area code 410
- North Carolina – area code 704
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Kentucky – area code 502
- West Virginia – area code 304
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 703
Where is the 703 area code located?
Area code 703 covers Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and Tysons. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 571.
What is the difference between 703 and 571?
There is no geographic difference. 571 is an overlay covering the exact same Northern Virginia territory as 703; it was added in 2000 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 703 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 703 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout Northern Virginia.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 703 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 703 Guides
- Is a 703 call safe? Read Is area code 703 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.