The 901 area code serves Memphis and the southwestern corner of Tennessee. Created in 1954 when it split from 615, 901 covers Tennessee’s second-largest city and the surrounding Shelby County suburbs along the Mississippi River.
Quick Summary of the 901 Area Code
| Area Code | 901 |
| State | Tennessee (TN) |
| Region | Memphis & Southwest Tennessee |
| Major Cities | Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington, Arlington |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 901 area code is concentrated in Shelby County in the far southwest of Tennessee, covering the city of Memphis and its suburbs of Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington, and Arlington. It sits at the corner where Tennessee meets Mississippi and Arkansas, making it a regional hub for the tri-state Mid-South.
Time Zone
The 901 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. Because Tennessee straddles two time zones, note that this region runs one hour behind eastern Tennessee (Knoxville and Chattanooga). From the West Coast, this area is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 901 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 901 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 901 Number
Area code 901 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (901 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 901, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 901 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 901 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, Millington, Arlington should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers impersonating the IRS and threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake MLGW callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Package Delivery Scam | Texts posing as FedEx about a “held package” and linking to a phishing site. |
| Medicare / Health Scam | Robocalls seeking Medicare numbers under the guise of free braces or test kits. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 901 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 901 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 901 Region
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Area code 901 was created in 1954, split from the original 615, to serve western Tennessee; over the following decades the rest of West Tennessee was later carved out into the 731 area code (2001), leaving 901 focused on the Memphis metro. The regional economy is defined by logistics and music. Memphis is the global “superhub” of FedEx and home to one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, anchoring a massive distribution and logistics sector along with the Port of Memphis. The city’s musical heritage – Beale Street, Sun Studio, and Stax Records – fuels a strong tourism industry, while St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a large medical district make healthcare another pillar of the economy.
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Looking Up a 901 Number
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To find out who is calling from a 901 number, run a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Memphis-area businesses, hospitals, and logistics companies publish their 901 numbers widely, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. If a 901 number is not listed anywhere online and the caller pressures you to act immediately or demands payment, treat it as a likely scam and hang up right away.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Tennessee is served by several area codes. If you are researching 901, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
You can also browse our full directory of Tennessee area codes for more regional guides.
↑ 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 Tennessee:
- Kentucky – area code 502
- Virginia – area code 804
- North Carolina – area code 704
- Georgia – area code 404
- Alabama – area code 205
- Mississippi – area code 601
- Arkansas – area code 501
- Missouri – area code 314
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 901 area code located?
The 901 area code covers Memphis and southwest Tennessee, including the Shelby County suburbs of Bartlett, Germantown, Collierville, and Millington.
Does 901 have an overlay?
No. The 901 area code covers the Memphis region on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 901?
Because 901 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 901 area code in?
The 901 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT).
Related 901 Guides
- Is a 901 call safe? Read Is area code 901 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Memphis area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.