Area codes are the numerical prefixes that direct phone calls to a specific geographic region. So, what location is area code 646?
Area code 646 belongs to New York City. Specifically, it serves Manhattan, one of the city’s five boroughs.
Let’s take a closer look at area code 646 and everything you need to know about it.
Area code 646: Location and time zone
Area code 646 is located entirely within the borough of Manhattan in New York City, which is part of New York County.
Area code 646 is an overlay to area code 212, which means that it was introduced to supplement the existing 212 area code within the same geographical area.
Time zone information
If you’re calling someone in the 646 area code, you’ll need to remember that Manhattan is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which observes both Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), depending on the time of year.
During daylight saving time, the time zone offset is UTC/GMT -4:00, and the time zone abbreviation is EDT.
A bit of history and demographics
How 646 came to be
Area code 646 was first put into service on July 1, 1999, to relieve some of the pressure on the 212 area code, which was running short on available numbers due to high demand.
It was the 262nd area code to be used in the U.S. and the 10th in New York. New York now has 22 area codes.
Population and coverage
Area code 646 serves a densely populated urban area. The population of New York City that’s covered by the 646 area code is significant, accounting for about 7% of the city’s total population.
Manhattan, where the 646 area code is located, is known for its high population density and vibrant business activity.
Telephone service providers and prefixes
Like the other area codes serving the city, 646 is supported by both landline and wireless carriers.
If you have a landline with a 646 area code, your phone service may be provided by Verizon or Broadwing Communications. If you have a wireless phone with a 646 area code, your carrier may be Omnipoint Communications, Sprint, or Cingular, among others.
Each phone number starts with a prefix, and most prefixes are assigned to a specific telco, or telephone company. An analysis of prefixes in the 646 area code shows that 99% have been assigned to a telco.
Looking at the breakdown of landline versus wireless, the numbers are almost equal. 49% of the prefixes are assigned to landlines, and 49% are assigned to wireless. The remaining 2% are unknown.
The distribution of prefixes reflects the changing telephone and telecommunications landscape, with more and more people using cell phones instead of landlines.
Daylight Saving Time
Like the rest of New York City, area code 646 observes Daylight Saving Time (DST).
In 2025, DST will begin on March 9th at 2:00 AM and end on November 2nd at 2:00 AM.
During DST, New York City switches to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), which is UTC/GMT -4:00 hours.
Summary
Area code 646 is more than just a set of digits; it’s a key part of New York City’s telecommunications infrastructure. Serving the borough of Manhattan and operating within the Eastern Time Zone, 646 is a common identifier in the city.
Knowing the location, time zone, and even the history of the 646 area code gives anyone valuable insights into communication and business in the NYC area.