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AREA CODE · MASSACHUSETTS

Area code 978

Area code 978 covers Lowell, Massachusetts. Map, time zone, overlays, carriers, the full list of prefixes and how to dial it.

State: Massachusetts Major City: Lowell Eastern Time (ET) Overlay: 351/978
01 / WHERE IT IS

Where is area code 978?

Area code 978 is assigned to Lowell and the surrounding region in Massachusetts. Calls to numbers that start with 978 are routed to this area.

Area code 978 shares its territory with 351. Because it is an overlay, local calls require dialing all 10 digits.

Counties covered

Essex CountyMiddlesex CountyWorcester County

Line types

  • Mobile 16.9%
  • Landline 82.97%
02 / MAP

Area code 978 on the map

The shaded area joins the code’s numbering centers; the marker shows its main city.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors

03 / LOCAL TIME

Current time in Lowell

This area code is in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone.

Local timeLowell, MA--:--:--

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America/New_YorkLive
04 / HOW TO DIAL

How to call Lowell

WITHIN THE US978 XXX XXXX

Always 10 digits — landline, mobile or VoIP. Local, long distance or a different state: the format is always the same. You do not need to dial the 1 first.

FROM ABROAD+1 978 XXX XXXX

Exit codes: 00 Europe/Mexico · 011 Canada · 010 Japan · + universal

WHATSAPP / IMESSAGE+1 978 XXX XXXX

Always save the number in international format so messaging apps recognize it correctly:

Call typeTraditional landlineMobile / VoIP
Local (same area code)10 digits10 digits
US long distance1 + 10 digits10 digits
Emergency911911
🌐Universal+1 978 555 0123
🇪🇸🇲🇽Spain / Mexico00 1 978 555 0123
🇦🇺Australia0011 1 978 555 0123
🇯🇵Japan010 1 978 555 0123
HAVE THE FULL NUMBER?

Learn more about that number.

Check the line type and the carrier the number block was originally assigned to.

10 digits to see the carrier and line type of the number

05 / CARRIERS

Carriers in area code 978

Share of the number blocks by carrier and line type.

Landline

Verizon
34%
Windstream Communications
14%
Lumen Technologies
14%
Verizon Business
11%
AT&T
7%
Others
21%

Mobile

Verizon Wireless
45%
T-Mobile USA
27%
AT&T Mobility
24%
USA Mobility
2%
NEP
1%

Carrier shown is the original assignment of each number block and may differ today because of number portability.

06 / PREFIXES

Complete list of prefixes for area code 978

775 number blocks (NXX) assigned in this area code.

PrefixTypeCityCarrier
(978) 200 Landline Lowell Five9FIVE9, INC.
(978) 201 Mobile Acton T-Mobile USAOMNIPOINT MIAMI E LICENSE, LLC
(978) 202 Landline Concord Verizon BusinessMCIMETRO ACCESS TRANSMISSION SERVICES LLC
(978) 203 Landline Wilmington Windstream CommunicationsPAETEC ITEL, LLC
(978) 204 Mobile Lawrence AT&T MobilityNEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC - DC
(978) 205 Landline Wilmington BandwidthBANDWIDTH.COM CLEC, LLC - MA
(978) 206 Landline Acton Verizon BusinessMCIMETRO ACCESS TRANSMISSION SERVICES LLC
(978) 207 Landline North Reading ComcastCOMCAST IP PHONE, LLC
(978) 208 Landline Lawrence ComcastCOMCAST IP PHONE, LLC
(978) 209 Landline Sudbury BandwidthBANDWIDTH.COM CLEC, LLC - MA

Showing 10 of 775 prefixes

07 / FAQ

Frequently asked questions about area code 978

Where is area code 978 used?
Area code 978 serves Lowell and the surrounding area in Massachusetts, including Essex County, Middlesex County, Worcester County.
What city is area code 978 from?
The main city of area code 978 is Lowell, MA.
What time zone is area code 978 in?
Area code 978 is in the Eastern Time (ET) time zone (America/New_York).
Is 978 an overlay area code?
Yes. It shares its territory with 351. In an overlay, every call requires dialing all 10 digits.
How do I call a number with area code 978 from the United States?
Dial the 10 digits: 978 + 7-digit number. For some long-distance calls from a landline you may need to add a 1 first.
How do I call a 978 number from another country?
Dial your country's exit code (or +), then 1, then 978 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile you can use +1 978 XXX XXXX.
Which carriers use area code 978?
Most landline blocks belong to Verizon and most mobile blocks to Verizon Wireless. The carrier shown is the original assignment and may differ today because of number portability.
Is area code 978 for landlines, mobiles or both?
Both. About 82.97% of the number blocks are landline, 16.9% mobile.
How do I save a 978 number in WhatsApp or my phone?
Save it in international format: +1 978 XXX XXXX. That way WhatsApp, iMessage and Telegram recognize it from any country.
Is it safe to answer calls from area code 978?
The area code only shows the region a number was assigned to; it does not tell you who is calling. Scammers can fake any area code, so do not share personal or banking information with unknown callers, and let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
KEEP EXPLORING

Nearby area codes

603Manchester, NH401Providence, RI860Hartford, CT959Hartford, CT802Burlington, VT518Albany, NY

Other area codes in Massachusetts

339 · Boston351 · Lowell413 · Springfield508 · Worcester617 · Boston774 · Worcester781 · Quincy857 · Boston

View all Massachusetts area codes →