The 703 Area Code Explained — Virginia Phone Numbers

Area code 703 covers Arlington and surrounding areas in Virginia. It is one of the original 86 area codes established by AT&T in 1947. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 571. For the full picture, see all Virginia area codes.

History of Area Code 703

Area code 703 is one of the 86 original area codes created by AT&T in 1947, when the first nationwide numbering plan went into effect on January 1 of that year. It was assigned to Virginia as part of the initial map that divided the United States and Canada into geographic dialing regions.

Since its activation, the geographic area covered by 703 has been reshaped by the following splits:

• 1973 — area code 804 split off to cover On June 24, 1973, the eastern portion of Virginia (including the Hampton Roads region) was split off into area code 804, with permissive dialing continuing until January 1, 1974.
• 1995 — area code 540 split off to cover On June 19, 1995, most of the western and central portion of the remaining 703 territory was split off into area code 540, restricting 703 to northern Virginia.

Overlay codes have been added to the same geographic territory in:

• 2000 — area code 571 activated as an overlay

Cities and Areas Served by 703

Area code 703 serves Northern Virginia — Washington, D.C. suburbs including Arlington and Fairfax counties and parts of Loudoun and Prince William counties, including the following cities and communities:

• Arlington
• Alexandria
• Fairfax
• Reston
• McLean
• Manassas
• Herndon
• Leesburg

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 571, 540, 804, 434, 757.

Overlay Codes 703

Area code 571 shares the same geographic territory as 703 (added in 2000). New phone numbers in the region may be assigned either code.

Because multiple area codes serve the same area, ten-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls. A call from any of these codes originates from the same geographic region in Virginia.

The Cultural Weight of a 703 Number

Area code 703 was established on October 1, 1947, as one of the original 86 North American area codes, initially covering the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Because C&P Telephone wanted to spare the large number of federal agencies in Northern Virginia — including the Pentagon in Arlington — the burden of changing their numbers, 703 was retained for the northern region when Virginia’s first split created area code 804 for the east in 1973. A second split in June 1995 carved out area code 540 for western Virginia, concentrating 703 on the dense northern suburbs adjacent to Washington, D.C. By 2000, explosive population growth and the proliferation of cell phones, pagers, and fax machines pushed 703 to near-exhaustion, prompting the introduction of overlay code 571 on March 1, 2000 — making ten-digit dialing mandatory for all local calls in the region from that date forward.

The 703 code is deeply woven into the identity of the Washington metro’s Virginia side. Arlington, the code’s anchor city, is home to the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Reagan National Airport — institutions that give 703 an unmistakable association with federal power and national defense. The neighborhoods of Clarendon, Ballston, and Crystal City (now National Landing) along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor have become synonymous with the tech-government contractor ecosystem that defines the region. Alexandria’s Old Town waterfront, Tysons Corner’s skyline, and the suburban sprawl of Fairfax County round out a territory that is simultaneously one of the wealthiest and most highly educated in the country. The 703 number has carried such prestige that established residents and businesses actively seek it out over the more readily available 571, treating it as a mark of regional tenure and local credibility.

How to Get a Phone Number with Area Code 703

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 703 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 703 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 703 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 703 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 703 number. If you already have a 703 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 Virginia sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 703 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 703 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 703 numbers for Arlington, Virginia — 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 703 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 703 area code still in use?
Yes. 703 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Northern Virginia — Washington, D.C. suburbs including Arlington and Fairfax counties and parts of Loudoun and Prince William counties.

What is the difference between 703 and 571?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Virginia. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.

Can I get a 703 number if I don't live in Virginia?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 703 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 703 a scam area code?
No. 703 is a legitimate, active area code for Northern Virginia — Washington, D.C. suburbs including Arlington and Fairfax counties and parts of Loudoun and Prince William counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 703 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Virginia businesses, government offices, and residents.

What cities are covered by area code 703?
Area code 703 serves Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, Reston, McLean, Herndon, Leesburg, and communities throughout Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in the 703 area?
Yes. Because 703 shares its territory with overlay code 571, ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) is mandatory for all local calls within the region, a requirement in effect since March 1, 2000.

Is 703 one of the original area codes?
Yes. Area code 703 was created on October 1, 1947, as one of the original 86 North American Numbering Plan area codes, and was the first and only area code for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.

What is the difference between area codes 703 and 571?
They cover the exact same geographic territory in Northern Virginia. Code 571 was introduced in 2000 as an overlay to relieve number exhaustion in 703. New telephone lines are more often assigned 571, while existing 703 numbers were grandfathered and retained by their holders.

Related Reading

• How Do Area Codes Work?
• How Are Area Codes Assigned?
• Why the Right Area Code Matters
• When Did We Start Using Area Codes?

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