617 Area Code
Covers Boston and nearby communities in Massachusetts.
(617) 555-0142Area code 617 map
Interactive coverage map for area code 617, centered on Boston, Massachusetts
42.3601, -71.0589
Open in OpenStreetMapArea code 617 coverage map — centered on Boston. Shaded area shows the approximate reach around the primary city.
If you are trying to place Boston, MA on the map, area code 617 is the one that covers it. It reaches roughly 1.2 million people across places such as Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline and more. The region observes Eastern time, so a number like (617) 555-0142 is on that clock right now. Boston's original code, spanning the city plus Cambridge and Somerville across the Charles River. It shares its territory with the overlay code 857, which sit on the exact same map. Because the 617 region uses more than one area code, you must dial all ten digits — area code included — even for a local call. You do not, however, need to dial a leading 1 for calls within the US and Canada. Scroll on for a real-time clock, an area map, the cities and counties inside 617, its related area codes, and practical advice on 617 robocalls and caller-ID spoofing.
Cities covered by 617
Cities & neighborhoods
- Boston
- Cambridge
- Somerville
- Brookline
- Newton
- Quincy
- Chelsea
Counties
- Suffolk County
- Middlesex County
- Norfolk County
Looking for the broader picture? See all Massachusetts area codes.
Nearby & overlay area codes
Overlay codes (same area)
These share 617’s geography — a number in either code can be on the same street.
Is a call from 617 a scam?
A 617 number is tied to the Boston area, which carries a governmental and institutional association, so scammers like to spoof it to seem official. Real agencies won't demand payment or personal details by phone on the spot. Since caller ID can be faked, treat any urgent or threatening 617 call with suspicion regardless of how legitimate the number looks.
Red flags to watch for
- Pressure to act right now, or threats of arrest, fines, or service being cut off.
- Requests to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, crypto, or a payment app.
- Asking for passwords, one-time codes, your SSN, or full card/bank numbers.
- A robocall or recording, or a number that won’t let you call back.
When unsure, hang up and call the organization back on a number you look up yourself.
Calling a 617 number from abroad
Every 617 number is a US/Canada +1 number. From a mobile anywhere, the simplest approach is to dial it in international format:
+1 617 555-0142If your phone can’t dial the +, replace it with your country’s exit code, then 1, then the number:
- UK, Germany, France & most of Europe
00 1 617 555-0142 - Australia
0011 1 617 555-0142 - Japan
010 1 617 555-0142 - Mexico
00 1 617 555-0142
Within the US and Canada you don’t need any of this — just dial the ten digits 617 555-0142.
Reverse phone lookup
Check any US or Canada number to see whether it's a working line, which carrier it sits on, whether it's mobile, landline or VoIP, and roughly where it's registered.
Shows carrier, line type and location. Owner name isn't available here.
Results are for personal, informational use only and may not be used for employment, credit, housing or tenant-screening decisions.
Area code 617: frequently asked questions
Where is the 617 area code located?
The 617 area code is located in Massachusetts, centered on Boston. It covers Suffolk County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County and nearby communities including Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Quincy.
What time zone is 617 in?
Area code 617 is in the Eastern time zone (UTC-5 (EST) / UTC-4 (EDT)). You can see the exact current local time for Boston on the live clock above.
What cities use area code 617?
Cities and areas that use 617 include Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Quincy. Its primary city is Boston, MA.
Do I need to dial 1 before 617?
For calls within the US, you do not need to dial a leading 1, but you do need all ten digits: 617 plus the seven-digit number. The 617 area requires ten-digit dialing because more than one area code serves it.
Is 617 a toll-free or scam number?
No — 617 is a normal geographic area code for Boston, not a toll-free code (toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888). A 617 number is not inherently a scam, but the code can be spoofed. See the spam-call section above for how to tell.
What are the overlay area codes for 617?
Area code 617 is overlaid by 857, meaning those codes cover the same geographic area.