908 Area Code
Covers Elizabeth and nearby communities in New Jersey.
(908) 555-0142Area code 908 map
Interactive coverage map for area code 908, centered on Elizabeth, New Jersey
40.6640, -74.2107
Open in OpenStreetMapArea code 908 coverage map — centered on Elizabeth. Shaded area shows the approximate reach around the primary city.
Area code 908 is a telephone area code in New Jersey, anchored on Elizabeth. It reaches roughly 237,000 people across places such as Elizabeth, Union City, Linden, Cranford and more. The region observes Eastern time, so a number like (908) 555-0142 is on that clock right now. On the ground it spans Union, Hudson, Middlesex. It shares its territory with the overlay codes 862, 973, which sit on the exact same map. Because the 908 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 908, its related area codes, and practical advice on 908 robocalls and caller-ID spoofing.
Cities covered by 908
Cities & neighborhoods
- Elizabeth
- Union City
- Linden
- Cranford
- Hillside
- Roselle
- Scotch Plains
- South Plainfield
- Summit
- Westfield
Nearby & overlay area codes
Overlay codes (same area)
These share 908’s geography — a number in either code can be on the same street.
Neighboring codes
Codes for adjacent regions and metros.
Is a call from 908 a scam?
Area code 908 serves Elizabeth and the surrounding area, so most calls are ordinary local and business traffic. As everywhere, spam and robocalls do use 908 numbers, frequently by spoofing a local-looking caller ID to boost pickup rates. The area code itself tells you nothing about who is really calling, so judge the call by what's said, not the number.
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 908 number from abroad
Every 908 number is a US/Canada +1 number. From a mobile anywhere, the simplest approach is to dial it in international format:
+1 908 555-0142If 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 1 908 555-0142 - Australia
0011 1 908 555-0142 - Japan
010 1 908 555-0142 - Mexico
00 1 908 555-0142
Within the US and Canada you don’t need any of this — just dial the ten digits 908 555-0142.
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 908: frequently asked questions
Where is the 908 area code located?
The 908 area code is located in New Jersey, centered on Elizabeth. It covers Union, Hudson, Middlesex and nearby communities including Elizabeth, Union City, Linden, Cranford, Hillside, Roselle.
What time zone is 908 in?
Area code 908 is in the Eastern time zone (UTC-5 (EST) / UTC-4 (EDT)). You can see the exact current local time for Elizabeth on the live clock above.
What cities use area code 908?
Cities and areas that use 908 include Elizabeth, Union City, Linden, Cranford, Hillside, Roselle. Its primary city is Elizabeth, NJ.
Do I need to dial 1 before 908?
For calls within the US, you do not need to dial a leading 1, but you do need all ten digits: 908 plus the seven-digit number. The 908 area requires ten-digit dialing because more than one area code serves it.
Is 908 a toll-free or scam number?
No — 908 is a normal geographic area code for Elizabeth, not a toll-free code (toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888). A 908 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 908?
Area code 908 is overlaid by 862, 973, meaning those codes cover the same geographic area.