The 508 Area Code Explained — Massachusetts Phone Numbers

Area code 508 covers Worcester and surrounding areas in Massachusetts. It was activated in 1988 as an overlay of area code 617. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 774. For the full picture, see all Massachusetts area codes.

Quick Facts: Area Code 508

State	Massachusetts
Primary city	Worcester
Cities also served	Worcester, New Bedford, Brockton, Fall River, Framingham, Taunton, Plymouth, Attleboro
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST)
Year established	July 16, 1988
Original 1947 NPA?	No
Parent code	617
Overlay codes	774
Currently in use?	Yes, actively assigned
Ten-digit dialing required?	Yes

508 as an Overlay of 617

Area code 508 is an overlay of area code 617, meaning the two codes share the exact same geographic territory in South-central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, MetroWest, the South Coast, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. When 508 was activated in July 16, 1988, all existing 617 phone numbers stayed unchanged. New phone lines in the region may now be assigned either 617 or 508, and ten-digit dialing is required for all local calls. For the full history of the area, its cities, and what these codes mean culturally, see our page on area code 617.

Cities Served by Area Code 508

Area code 508 serves South-central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, MetroWest, the South Coast, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, including the following cities and communities:

• Worcester
• New Bedford
• Brockton
• Fall River
• Framingham
• Taunton
• Plymouth
• Attleboro

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 774, 617, 857, 978, 351, 781, 339, 413.

How to Get a 508 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 508 area code, each suited to a different need:

1. Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 508 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 508 inventory.
2. Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 508 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
3. Port an existing 508 number. If you already have a 508 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of Massachusetts sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 508 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 508 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 508 numbers for Worcester, Massachusetts — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 508 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 508 area code still in use?
Yes. 508 is actively assigned to new phone lines in South-central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, MetroWest, the South Coast, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

What is the difference between 508 and 774?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Massachusetts. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.

What is the parent area code of 508?
Area code 508 is an overlay of 617. Both codes serve the same region of Massachusetts.

Can I get a 508 number if I don't live in Massachusetts?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 508 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 508 a scam area code?
No. 508 is a legitimate, active area code for South-central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, MetroWest, the South Coast, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 508 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Massachusetts businesses, government offices, and residents.

What cities does the 508 area code serve?
Area code 508 serves south-central and southeastern Massachusetts, including Worcester, New Bedford, Brockton, Fall River, Framingham, Taunton, Plymouth, Attleboro, and the communities of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

Does area code 508 require ten-digit dialing?
Yes. Since the 774 overlay was added on May 2, 2001, ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) is mandatory for all calls within the 508/774 numbering plan area.

When was area code 508 created and where did it come from?
Area code 508 was put into service on July 16, 1988, as a geographic split from area code 617, which had previously covered the entire eastern half of Massachusetts. The split relieved number exhaustion pressure on 617.

What is the overlay for area code 508?
Area code 774 is the sole overlay for 508. It was placed into service on May 2, 2001, and covers the same geographic territory as 508 — from Worcester and MetroWest through the South Coast and Cape Cod.

Related Reading

• When Did We Start Using Area Codes?
• How Many Area Codes Are In the US?
• Who Invented Area Codes?
• Why Use Area Codes For Local Calls?

Looking for a different code? See the complete US area code directory.