The 973 area code dates to 1997 and covers North New Jersey, with Newark, Paterson, Clifton among its key cities. It runs on Eastern (ET) time and reaches around 2.5M+ residents.
A 973 line from MeraTalk lets you operate in New Jersey from anywhere, with cloud-based calling throughout.
Choosing a 973 number for New Jersey signals to customers that you're right there with them — here's why that matters.
Outbound reps dial North New Jersey prospects from a number those prospects recognize. A familiar 973 caller ID gets the conversation started instead of going to voicemail.
Give your North New Jersey customers a local number to call for help. Calls route to your support team wherever they sit, with queues, schedules, and an AI receptionist after hours.
Your team doesn't need to live in New Jersey to answer a 973 number. Calls ring on laptops and mobiles anywhere, while customers see a hometown business.
Pair your 973 number with local numbers in other markets you serve. Each location keeps its own identity while every call lands in one shared MeraTalk workspace.
Area codes are added as a region's demand for phone numbers grows. Here's when each New Jersey code came online — and where 973 fits in.
201 was the first of New Jersey's current codes, assigned to Northeast New Jersey and anchored by Jersey City. It remains the code most residents associate with Jersey City and Hackensack.
As Central New Jersey grew, 609 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Trenton and Princeton. Existing numbers kept their codes — 609 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As Central New Jersey grew, 908 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Elizabeth and Union. Existing numbers kept their codes — 908 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As Central New Jersey grew, 732 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Edison and New Brunswick. Existing numbers kept their codes — 732 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As North New Jersey grew, 973 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Newark and Paterson. Existing numbers kept their codes — 973 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As Northeast NJ (overlay) grew, 551 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Jersey City and Hackensack. Existing numbers kept their codes — 551 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As Central NJ (overlay) grew, 848 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Toms River and Lakewood. Existing numbers kept their codes — 848 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As South New Jersey grew, 856 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Camden and Cherry Hill. Existing numbers kept their codes — 856 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As North New Jersey (overlay) grew, 862 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Newark and Paterson. Existing numbers kept their codes — 862 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
As Central NJ (overlay) grew, 640 was introduced to keep up with demand for new numbers around Trenton and Hamilton. Existing numbers kept their codes — 640 simply opened fresh inventory for the area.
Make and receive calls and texts from your 973 number on desktop, mobile, or desk phone. One number for everything — no app-switching, no confusion.
Answers, screens, and routes every call to your 973 number around the clock — even when your team is offline or busy.
Every call and text to your 973 number is visible to the whole team — anyone can pick up, reply, or follow up.
Missed calls become readable transcripts delivered to your inbox.
Route North New Jersey callers to the right person on your schedule.
Already have a 973 number? Bring it — porting is on every plan.
10 area codes covering New Jersey
Area code 973 is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) — the system that assigns three-digit codes to geographic regions across the US, Canada, and parts of the Caribbean. Code 973 was assigned to North New Jersey and serves Newark and Paterson as its primary markets.
When a call is made to a 973 number, the carrier routes it through the Eastern (ET) time zone switching network. This also means that when customers see a 973 number on their caller ID, they immediately associate it with North New Jersey — before the call is even answered.
The area code on your caller ID shapes how customers in North New Jersey decide whether to pick up or ignore your call.
Calls from a local 973 number are far more likely to be answered than calls from an out-of-state or toll-free number. Customers in North New Jersey recognise the code and trust it as local.
A 973 number tells prospects in New Jersey that you operate in their market — even if your team is fully remote or based elsewhere. First impressions happen before the first word.
With a cloud-hosted 973 number, your team can answer calls from any device, in any location. The local area code stays consistent while your team stays flexible.
Northeast listed first
Explore other Northeast area codes and find the right local number for every market you serve.
Set up your 973 number on MeraTalk, compare other US area codes, or read the public record for North New Jersey.
Read the in-depth guide to the 973 area code — coverage, history, cities, time zone and how to get a number.
On MeraTalkRun your 973 number on a full business phone system — calls, SMS, routing and an AI receptionist included.
On MeraTalkBrowse every US area code by state and find the right local number for the markets you serve.
External referenceSee the FCC's area code relief regulation (47 CFR §52.19) governing how area code 973 and every US area code is administered.
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Same product, same support, same compliance on every plan. The AI receptionist is included from day one.
