What area code is 978?
Here's everything about it.
Instant lookup for the 978 area code — location, time zone, cities served, and who's been calling from it. No sign-up, no app.
978 at a glance
Summary
Cities & regions served by 978
LowellShowing 12 of 58 recorded communities — major cities first.
Where 978 sits on the map
Overlay: 351Coverage area
About the 978 region
978 covers Lowell in Massachusetts, including Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Andover and Amesbury. The code has been in service since 1997.
As the Lowell region grew, 978 ran low on available numbers, so 351 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 508; 2001: overlaid by 351.
Who called me from 978?
Community reports- Caller ID is trivially spoofed: an incoming call that displays 978 does not prove the caller is really in the 978 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 978 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 978 number below.
Frequently asked questions
FAQWhat area code is 978?+–
978 is a telephone area code serving Lowell in Massachusetts, United States, in service since 1997.
Where is area code 978 located?+–
It covers Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Andover and Amesbury in Massachusetts.
What cities are in area code 978?+–
Major communities on record include Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Andover and Amesbury, among others. The code's territory spans the Lowell region of Massachusetts.
What time zone is 978?+–
978 observes Eastern (ET), which is UTC−5 / −4 DST and follows daylight saving time.
When did area code 978 start?+–
978 entered service in 1997. Its history: split of 508; 2001: overlaid by 351.
Why do calls to 978 require 10-digit dialing?+–
978 shares its territory with overlay code 351. 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 978 a scam area code?+–
Scam and robocall traffic can use any North American code, 978 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 978 number, and report anything suspicious.
Can I get a 978 phone number?+–
Yes — most mobile carriers and VoIP providers let you request a 978 number regardless of where you physically live.