202
This is the telephone area code for Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States.
How to Call Washington DC from Overseas
- Dial your country's exit code (International Access Code)
- Dial 1 (USA country code)
- Dial the area code (202)
- Dial the 7-digit local phone number
Example: Calling the National Mall from the UK
00 1 202 555 8888
Where:
00 = UK exit code
1 = USA country code
202 = Washington DC area code
555 8888 = Local DC phone number
Quick Facts
202
Primary Code
+1
Country Code
10-digit
Dialing Format
011
US Exit Code
Washington DC Area Code Coverage
The 202 area code serves the entire District of Columbia:
202 - Washington DC
Only area code for the entire District of Columbia since 1947
771 - DC Overlay (Future)
Approved as an overlay to 202 to meet future demand (not yet in wide use as of 2025)
301 / 240 / 227
Maryland suburbs (e.g., Bethesda, Silver Spring)
703 / 571
Virginia suburbs (e.g., Arlington, Alexandria)
Major US Area Codes
Common Exit Codes for Calling USA
When calling Washington DC from these countries, use these exit codes:
United Kingdom
00
Australia
0011
European Union
00
Japan
010
China
00
Canada
011