🏛️District of Columbia

Washington DC
Area Codes 202 & 771

Calling the nation's capital? Use area code 202 or the new 771. Connect securely to government offices, businesses, and residents in Washington D.C. directly from your browser.

Dialing Instructions
Calling Washington DCVoIP Ready
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How to Call Washington D.C.

Since the introduction of the 771 overlay in 2021, 10-digit dialing is mandatory in the District.

1

Country Code

If calling from outside the US, dial +1. From within the US, dial 1 before the area code if calling from a landline.

2

Area Code (202/771)

Dial 202 or 771. Both codes cover the same geographic area (the entire District).

3

Phone Number

Dial the 7-digit subscriber number.
Example: +1 202 555 0199

The 771 Overlay

For decades, 202 was the only code for DC. In November 2021, the 771 area code was added as an overlay because 202 numbers were running out. This means your neighbor might have a 202 number while you have a 771 number.

DC Neighborhood Guide

All locations within the District use 202 or 771.

NeighborhoodArea Codes
Downtown / Federal Triangle202 / 771
Capitol Hill202 / 771
Georgetown202 / 771
Dupont Circle202 / 771
Adams Morgan202 / 771
NeighborhoodArea Codes
Foggy Bottom202 / 771
Navy Yard202 / 771
Columbia Heights202 / 771
Anacostia202 / 771
Cleveland Park202 / 771

Secure Calls to the
Nation's Capital

StartACall provides a secure, encrypted connection for calling Washington D.C. Whether you are contacting a government agency, a lobbyist, or a local business, your call quality and privacy are our priority.

  • Connect to 202 and 771 numbers instantly
  • High-definition voice clarity
  • No app download required
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing

Government

Reliable connection for reaching federal agencies.

Business

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Encrypted

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Instant

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 202 and 771?

There is no geographic difference. 202 is the original area code for DC, while 771 is the new overlay code added in 2021. Both cover the entire District of Columbia.

Is Washington DC a state for calling purposes?

For calling purposes, DC functions like a state with its own area codes. It is not part of Maryland (240/301) or Virginia (703/571), although those area codes are often found in the metro area.

Do I need to dial 1 before 202?

If calling from a US landline outside of DC, yes. If calling from a mobile phone or via StartACall, you can usually dial 202 or +1 202 directly.

Can I call the White House?

Public switchboard numbers for government institutions like the White House or Congress use the 202 area code. You can dial these numbers using StartACall just like any other number.

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Calling Washington DC: 202, the new 771 overlay, and the suburb trap

In short

The District of Columbia is compact, but its phone geography confuses international callers because the famous 202 code stops at the city line. Offices physically ten minutes from the Capitol may answer on Maryland or Virginia codes, and since 2021 new DC numbers can also begin with 771. Here is how to navigate all of it.

202 and 771 cover the same city

Area code 202 has identified Washington DC since 1947 and remains one of the most recognizable codes in America, attached to federal agencies, embassies and news organizations. When 202 approached exhaustion, the 771 overlay was activated in late 2021 across the identical territory.

A 771 number is therefore a genuine DC number, typically a newer mobile or a recently installed line. Nothing about cost or dialing differs. From abroad both are reached the same way, +1 followed by the ten digits, and residents dial ten digits locally.

The suburb trap: 301, 240, 703 and 571

Much of what the world thinks of as Washington sits outside the District. The Pentagon, Reagan National Airport and many contractors are in Virginia under 703 and 571. Bethesda, Silver Spring and the National Institutes of Health are in Maryland under 301 and 240.

If a Washington contact gives you a 703 or 301 number, it is not a mistake, it is geography. Government agencies also route main lines through the city while staff mobiles carry suburban codes, so a single organization can span three or four area codes without leaving the metro area.

Maryland and Virginia numbers are dialed exactly the same way from abroad, +1 plus ten digits, and cost the same to reach, so the only real difference is knowing where your contact physically sits. For meetings, note that crossing between DC and Virginia at rush hour can take an hour, which is why Washington professionals schedule calls rather than visits.

Timing a call to official Washington

DC runs on Eastern Time, five hours behind UTC in winter. Federal offices typically answer 9am to 5:30pm, but switchboards for constituent services and agencies often stop taking calls at 4pm. From Europe, aim for 3pm to 9pm your time; from East Africa and the Gulf, DC's morning begins around 4pm to 5pm local.

StartACall reaches 202 and 771 numbers from any modern browser at the standard US per-minute rate with no connection fee. Credits never expire, useful if you only call a DC agency a few times a year. That suits people who only need an agency or embassy line a few times a year.

Embassies, Congress and seasonal quiet spells

Embassies within the city keep their own national holidays as well as US ones, so check both calendars before calling a consular line on a 202 number. A quick check of the embassy website's holiday list before dialing saves a wasted call, since consular sections rarely publish voicemail options.

Journalists and researchers calling press offices should know that many Washington organizations shift to summer hours on Fridays between June and August, closing switchboards early. Congressional offices answer constituent lines roughly 9am to 6pm Eastern when Congress is in session, and recess weeks are noticeably quieter across the whole city. Late spring is the most responsive season overall.

Frequently asked questions

What area code is Washington DC?+

Washington DC uses 202, plus the 771 overlay introduced in 2021 for new numbers. Both cover the entire District, and from abroad you dial +1 then the ten-digit number. Both codes cost exactly the same to call from abroad.

Is 771 a legitimate DC area code?+

Yes. 771 overlays the same territory as 202 and has been assigned to new Washington DC numbers since November 2021. It is common on newer mobiles in the city. It appears mainly on newer mobiles and recently issued lines.

Why does my Washington contact have a 703 number?+

Area codes 703 and 571 belong to northern Virginia, including Arlington and the Pentagon area. Many people who work in DC live or office across the river, so suburban codes are normal.

When can I call a US federal agency from overseas?+

Most federal switchboards answer 9am to 4pm Eastern on weekdays. From the UK that is 2pm to 9pm, and from central Europe 3pm to 10pm, excluding US federal holidays. Many agencies also publish online contact forms that avoid phone queues entirely.

Can I call DC numbers without an app?+

Yes. StartACall places calls to 202 and 771 numbers directly from Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge over WebRTC, pay-as-you-go per minute with no SIM, no subscription and a free first call.

Last reviewed June 2026Reviewed by the StartACall calling teamDialing rules cross checked against ITU international dialing procedures
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