973 Area Code: Newark's Line Since 1997

Introduction

The 973 area code covers Newark and much of northern New Jersey. Cities covered by the area code include Newark, Paterson, Clifton, Montclair and Morristown. It was separated from the 201 area code in 1997. Since 2001 it has shared its territory with the 862 overlay.

If you have recently received a phone call from a 973 number you will likely want to know who it is. Below you will find some key facts about the 973 area code. You can see where it covers, how it began, what it is known for and how to get a 973 number for your business.

Quick Facts About Area Code 973

• State: New Jersey (parts of 7 northern counties)
• Main Cities: Newark, Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Montclair, Morristown, Parsippany
• Established: June 1, 1997 (split from 201)
• Parent Area Code: 201
• Overlay Area Code: 862 (since December 1, 2001)
• Time Zone: Eastern Time
• Known for: Newark Liberty Airport, Port Newark, Prudential, Rutgers-Newark and NJIT.

Where Is the 973 Area Code Located?

The 973 area code is located in the northern part of New Jersey. It covers all or parts of seven counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Union. The area is centered on Newark and runs west from the Newark waterfront through the suburban towns.

• Essex County: Newark, Montclair, Maplewood and the Oranges (East, West and South Orange)
• Passaic County: Paterson, Clifton and Passaic
• Morris County: Morristown, Parsippany and Dover
• Sussex County: the northwestern corner of the state
• Bergen, Hudson and Union counties: small parts of each

All of these counties are on Eastern Time, so the whole area code shares one time zone. If you call at 10am from Los Angeles the call will arrive in Newark at 1pm. There are no time zone surprises in this area.

More Cities Under the 973 Area Code

Many smaller cities and towns use the 973 area code. Parsippany, Dover, Maplewood and the Oranges all do. Many of these are commuter towns near New York City, and all have their own downtown.

Because of the overlay, you can have a neighbor with a different area code. One may have 973 and the other 862. A call between the two is still a local call.

History: From a Single Code to a North Jersey Split

When the phone system launched in 1947, the whole of New Jersey used the 201 area code. During the 1950s the southern part of the state received its own area code, 609, and the northern half stayed with 201. In 1991 the area code was cut down to the northeastern part of the state.

On June 1, 1997, the 973 area code was created in a split of 201. Mobile phones, pagers and faxes were becoming more popular, and the split was meant to be a long term fix. It didn't last. Within three years 973 was almost out of numbers again.

Rather than split the area code a third time, regulators chose an overlay. On December 1, 2001, ten digit dialing became mandatory and the area became a 973 and 862 overlay. Existing 973 customers kept their numbers, so nobody had to change a number twice in one decade.

The two codes are the same place. The 862 area code overlays the whole 973 territory, so a new line anywhere in North Jersey can be assigned either one.

How to Dial a 973 Number

Because of the overlay, you need to dial all 10 digits for every call in the area, even to a neighbor. That has been the rule since December 1, 2001.

• Local call: 973-555-0100
• Long Distance (United States/Canada): 1-973-555-0100
• From the UK: 00-1-973-555-0100
• From Mobile: +1 973 555 0100

Store your contacts with the full 10 digits, including the area code. That stops failed calls. You can't tell from the digits whether a number is a mobile, landline or cloud line.

How Does the 973 Area Code Compare to New Jersey's Other Area Codes?

There are several area codes used across New Jersey. Area codes 201 and 551 serve the northeast, including Jersey City and Hackensack. Area codes 732 and 848 cover central New Jersey, 609 and 640 cover the Trenton and Atlantic City side, and the southwest around Camden uses 856.

The 973 area code covers the north of the state. For a quick look at which area code covers which city in New Jersey, take a look at our New Jersey area code directory.

Newark's Business Scene Behind the 973 Area Code

Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, with about 311,000 people at the 2020 census. It is also a transport hub. Newark Liberty International Airport was the first municipal commercial airport in the United States, and Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal is the main container terminal of the busiest seaport on the East Coast.

Several large companies have their headquarters in Newark, including Prudential, PSEG, Panasonic Corporation of North America and Audible. Rutgers University-Newark, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Essex County College are there too.

That mix gives a 973 number weight. Customers, suppliers and partners in Newark, Paterson and Morristown will recognize the area code as local, and a local line shows you have a real presence in North Jersey.

What Else Is the 973 Area Code Known For?

Newark is also a cultural and sports city. Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils, is in the center of the city, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center brings shows from across the region.

Further west in Morristown, George Washington's army spent the winter of 1779 to 1780, and Morristown National Historical Park tells the story. Montclair and the Oranges are well known for their historic homes, train stations and busy main streets.

Is a Call from the 973 Area Code a Scam?

You are at no higher risk from a 973 number than from any other. Scammers can spoof any area code, and because New Jersey sits right next to New York City, its area codes are commonly used for fake caller IDs.

If you are asked for bank details, Social Security numbers or one time passcodes, treat it as a scam, whatever number shows up. Common examples are fake delivery notices, bank alerts and utility shutoff threats. Simply hang up and call the organization back on a number you have looked up yourself.

Local area codes are more likely to be answered, which is why scammers copy them. If you are being pushed to act quickly, that is a red flag.

Will a Local Area Code Help My Calls Be Answered?

Many people screen unknown numbers, in Newark, Paterson and Montclair as much as anywhere. Using a local area code makes it more likely your call is answered. Verified numbers help even further.

The FCC now requires call authentication. Carriers must sign all outgoing calls using STIR/SHAKEN, so the recipient's phone knows the number is verified.

Who Will Benefit from Having a Local 973 Number?

A local area code makes the most difference if your customers screen unknown callers. These 4 groups tend to benefit the most:

• Freight, logistics and travel companies around Newark Airport and the port.
• Medical practices, clinics and dentists in Newark, Paterson and Montclair.
• Law, accounting and insurance firms in Morristown and Parsippany.
• Real estate and home services teams covering Essex, Passaic and Morris counties.

Getting a 973 Number for Your Business

You don't need an office in New Jersey to have a 973 number. The 3 most common ways to get one are:

• Cloud Phone Provider: Search online for available 973 numbers. Activate your line the same day. No hardware and no technician visit.
• Port your existing 973 number from another carrier.
• SIM/Landline Carrier: Only suitable for 1 handset. Slower to set up and harder to scale.

With letsdial you can choose your 973 number during your 14 day free trial (no credit card required). The median setup time is less than 3 minutes. We sign all outgoing calls using STIR/SHAKEN at the switch so carriers can verify the number. Numbers can be ported in for free.

All paid plans include our AI Receptionist (minutes vary by plan). That means calls from Newark, Paterson and Morristown outside business hours can be answered and, with a connected CRM, logged.

Conclusion

Area code 973 covers Newark and northern New Jersey. It was split from area code 201 in 1997, shares its territory with the 862 overlay, and has required 10 digit dialing since 2001. The region is well known for Newark Liberty Airport, Port Newark, large company headquarters and a strong university presence.

Getting a local line is quick. Show customers in Newark, Paterson and Morristown that you are local with a 973 number.

Frequently Asked Questions