A historic shoe-manufacturing city on the coast just north of Boston, Lynn is the largest city on the North Shore and a fast-diversifying gateway to Essex County. It is covered by the 781 ring code and its overlay. This guide breaks down Lynn’s 781 and 339 codes, the required 10-digit dialing, major ZIP codes, and local scam warnings.
Lynn Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code(s) | 781 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 339 |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Major County | Essex County |
| Region | Greater Boston (North Shore) |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Area Code Breakdown & Regional Mapping
781 – Greater Boston Ring Code
Area code 781 was created in 1997 when it split from 617, forming a ring around Boston that covers the inner suburbs including Lynn, Waltham, Quincy’s neighbors, and the North Shore gateway. It is Lynn’s primary code within Essex County.
339 – Greater Boston Ring Overlay
Area code 339 is the 2001 overlay for the 781 region, sharing the same Greater Boston ring geography. Many newer Lynn lines carry a 339 prefix, fully local to existing 781 numbers.
Neighborhoods & Local Coverage
Lynn’s 781/339 codes cover a working coastal city anchored by a revitalizing Downtown near the commuter-rail station. The elegant Diamond District along the waterfront showcases grand Victorian homes, while Lynn Beach and the Lynnway stretch along the Atlantic shore toward neighboring Nahant.
Beyond downtown, the same codes reach the Highlands and West Lynn neighborhoods, the Wyoma district, and the sprawling Lynn Woods Reservation, one of the largest municipal parks in the country. As part of the Greater Boston ring, Lynn shares the 781/339 codes with the inner suburbs surrounding the city.
Local Dialing Rules & International Format
Lynn and all of eastern Massachusetts have required 10-digit dialing for years — always dial the area code plus the 7-digit number. The Greater Boston ring uses 781, overlaid by 339. Boston’s urban core just to the south uses 617/857.
To call Lynn 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, +1 781 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 781 service area spans many of Lynn’s core ZIP codes, including 01901, 01902, 01904, and 01905.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Lynn
Lynn residents report neighbor-spoofing robocalls faking a local 781 prefix, plus fake utility-shutoff threats and delivery scams. Bilingual robocalls also target the city’s large Latino and immigrant communities.
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Neighbor Spoofing | Calls that mimic a local 781 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 Lynn, MA?
Lynn uses area code 781 and its overlay 339, the codes for the Greater Boston ring.
Is 781 a Boston area code?
781 forms the ring of inner suburbs around Boston. Lynn and other close-in communities use 781/339, while Boston’s urban core uses 617/857.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in Lynn?
Yes. With the 339 overlay active, all local calls in the 781 region require 10-digit dialing.
What time zone is Lynn in?
Lynn observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT), like all of Massachusetts.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.