What is a Phone Area Code?
Have you ever received a phone call from a number you didn't recognize and been curious about who might be on the other end of the line? Have you ever wondered why phone numbers have three-digit area codes preceding them? In this section, we will explore the concept of phone area codes and how they can help you quickly determine where a phone call is coming from.
A phone area code is a three-digit code assigned to a particular geographic region. Area codes are used to distinguish different locations from one another and help identify the origin of a phone call. For example, you may receive a call from a phone number with an area code of 804, which would indicate the call is coming from somewhere in central Virginia.
Knowing the area code of a phone call can tell you a lot about the caller. For instance, many area codes are associated with particular cities, counties, or states, so you can often determine the general geographic location of the caller. This can be helpful if you’re expecting a call from someone in a particular area and you want to quickly determine if a call received is from the person you expect.
Area codes are divided into two main categories: geographic and non-geographic. Geographic area codes are based on geographical locations, while non-geographic area codes are used for other purposes such as toll-free numbers and special services. Geographic area codes are often referred to as “NPA codes”, while non-geographic area codes are referred to as “special services codes”.
Area codes can be further divided into three-number prefixes, which are assigned to individual exchanges. Exchanges are the first three digits of a telephone number, excluding the area code. For example, a phone number with the area code 804 and the exchange 683 would indicate a call from a specific location in central Virginia.
Though area codes may appear to be random, they can actually tell you a great deal about the caller. Knowing the area code of a phone call can help you quickly determine the origin of the call and provide important clues about the caller.