What area code is 781?
Here's everything about it.
Instant lookup for the 781 area code — location, time zone, cities served, and who's been calling from it. No sign-up, no app.
781 at a glance
Summary
Cities & regions served by 781
Boston suburbsShowing 12 of 55 recorded communities — major cities first.
Where 781 sits on the map
Overlay: 339Coverage area
About the 781 region
781 covers Boston suburbs in Massachusetts, including Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk. The code has been in service since 1997.
As the Boston suburbs region grew, 781 ran low on available numbers, so 339 was added as an overlay code over the same geographic area. Both codes are local to each other and 10-digit dialing applies throughout.
Split of 617; 2001: overlaid by 339.
Who called me from 781?
Community reports- Caller ID is trivially spoofed: an incoming call that displays 781 does not prove the caller is really in the 781 region or even in the United States.
- Avoid calling back unknown one-ring numbers — some premium-rate scams rely on curiosity callbacks.
- Never share verification codes, payment details, or remote access during an unsolicited call, even if the caller claims to be your bank or a government agency.
- When a 781 call pressures you to act immediately, hang up and contact the organization directly through its official number.
Be the first to add a community report for a 781 number below.
Frequently asked questions
FAQWhat area code is 781?+–
781 is a telephone area code serving Boston suburbs in Massachusetts, United States, in service since 1997.
Where is area code 781 located?+–
It covers Essex County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County and other counties, including Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk in Massachusetts.
What cities are in area code 781?+–
Major communities on record include Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk, among others. The code's territory spans the Boston suburbs region of Massachusetts.
What time zone is 781?+–
781 observes Eastern (ET), which is UTC−5 / −4 DST and follows daylight saving time.
When did area code 781 start?+–
781 entered service in 1997. Its history: split of 617; 2001: overlaid by 339.
Why do calls to 781 require 10-digit dialing?+–
781 shares its territory with overlay code 339. Because both codes serve the same geographic area, the phone network needs all 10 digits to route a call, and calls between the codes are still local.
Is 781 a scam area code?+–
Scam and robocall traffic can use any North American code, 781 included — caller ID is easy to spoof, so the code alone does not tell you who is really calling. Check the community reports on this page before calling back an unknown 781 number, and report anything suspicious.
Can I get a 781 phone number?+–
Yes — most mobile carriers and VoIP providers let you request a 781 number regardless of where you physically live.