What area code is 916?
Here's everything about it.
Instant lookup for the 916 area code — location, time zone, cities served, and who's been calling from it. No sign-up, no app.
916 at a glance
Summary
Cities & regions served by 916
Sacramento1 community on record for 916.
Where 916 sits on the map
Overlay: 279Coverage area
About the 916 region
916 covers Sacramento in California. The code has been in service since 1947 and is one of the original North American area codes.
As the Sacramento region grew, 916 ran low on available numbers, so 279 was added as an overlay code over the same geographic area. Both codes are local to each other and 10-digit dialing applies throughout.
Created for northern third of California; 1950: remapped to eastern part of northern and central California; 1958: split to create 209; 1997: split to create 530; 2018: overlaid by 279.
Who called me from 916?
Community reports- Caller ID is trivially spoofed: an incoming call that displays 916 does not prove the caller is really in the 916 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 916 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 916 number below.
Frequently asked questions
FAQWhat area code is 916?+–
916 is a telephone area code serving Sacramento in California, United States, in service since 1947.
Where is area code 916 located?+–
It covers Sacramento in California.
What time zone is 916?+–
916 observes Pacific (PT), which is UTC−8 / −7 DST and follows daylight saving time.
When did area code 916 start?+–
916 entered service in 1947 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes. Its history: created for northern third of California; 1950: remapped to eastern part of northern and central California; 1958: split to create 209; 1997: split to create 530; 2018: overlaid by 279.
Why do calls to 916 require 10-digit dialing?+–
916 shares its territory with overlay code 279. 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 916 a scam area code?+–
Scam and robocall traffic can use any North American code, 916 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 916 number, and report anything suspicious.
Can I get a 916 phone number?+–
Yes — most mobile carriers and VoIP providers let you request a 916 number regardless of where you physically live.