A cradle of the American Industrial Revolution on the Merrimack River, Lowell is a historic mill city reborn as a cultural and university hub in northeastern Massachusetts. It is covered by the 978 code and its overlay. This guide breaks down Lowell’s 978 and 351 codes, the required 10-digit dialing, major ZIP codes, and local scam warnings.
Lowell Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code(s) | 978 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 351 |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Major County | Middlesex County |
| Region | Merrimack Valley (Northeastern Mass) |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Area Code Breakdown & Regional Mapping
978 – Northeastern Mass Code
Area code 978 was created in 1997 when it split from 508, serving northeastern Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley including Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, and Fitchburg. It is Lowell’s primary code within Middlesex County.
351 – Northeastern Mass Overlay
Area code 351 is the 2001 overlay for the 978 region, sharing the same northeastern-Massachusetts geography. Many newer Lowell lines carry a 351 prefix, fully local to existing 978 numbers.
Neighborhoods & Local Coverage
Lowell’s 978/351 codes cover a city whose downtown is a living museum of the Industrial Revolution, where the restored brick mills and canals of Lowell National Historical Park now house lofts, museums, and restaurants. The city’s literary heritage as the hometown of Jack Kerouac adds to its cultural draw.
Beyond downtown, the same codes reach the historic Acre neighborhood — home to one of the nation’s largest Cambodian communities — the leafy Belvidere district, and the Centralville and Pawtucketville areas across the river near UMass Lowell. The 978/351 codes tie Lowell to the wider Merrimack Valley.
Local Dialing Rules & International Format
Lowell and all of Massachusetts have required 10-digit dialing for years — always dial the area code plus the 7-digit number. Northeastern Massachusetts uses 978, overlaid by 351. Greater Boston to the south uses 617/857.
To call Lowell from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then the U.S. country code +1, followed by the 10-digit number (for example, +1 978 XXX-XXXX). From inside the U.S. and Canada, simply dial 1 before the 10-digit number for long-distance calls.
Major ZIP Codes Covered
The 978 service area spans many of Lowell’s core ZIP codes, including 01850, 01851, 01852, and 01854.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Lowell
Lowell residents report neighbor-spoofing robocalls faking a local 978 prefix, plus fake utility-shutoff threats from callers posing as National Grid. Bilingual robocalls also target the city’s large Cambodian and immigrant communities.
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Neighbor Spoofing | Calls that mimic a local 978 prefix to look familiar. |
| Utility / Toll Scams | Threats to shut off power or demand toll payment via gift cards. |
| IRS / Government | Robocalls claiming legal action — agencies never call to demand instant payment. |
Red flag: Any caller who pressures you to pay immediately with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency is almost certainly running a scam. Hang up and verify through an official number.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State for every code across the country.
Nearby & Related Massachusetts Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is Lowell, MA?
Lowell uses area code 978 and its overlay 351, shared across northeastern Massachusetts.
Is 351 a real Massachusetts area code?
Yes. 351 is the FCC-approved overlay for the 978 region, added in 2001 to expand number capacity across the Merrimack Valley and northeastern Mass.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in Lowell?
Yes. With the 351 overlay active, all local calls in the 978 region require 10-digit dialing.
What time zone is Lowell in?
Lowell observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT), like all of Massachusetts.
Does Lowell share an area code with Lawrence?
Yes. Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, and Fitchburg all fall within the 978/351 region covering northeastern Massachusetts and the Merrimack Valley, so they share the same dialing rules.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.