What Is Area Code 706? (Augusta, Georgia)

Area code 706 covers Augusta and surrounding areas in Georgia. It was activated in 1992 as an overlay of area code 404. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 762. For the full picture, see all Georgia area codes.

Quick Facts: Area Code 706

State	Georgia
Primary city	Augusta
Cities also served	Augusta, Columbus, Athens, Rome, Dalton, LaGrange, Toccoa, Gainesville
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST)
Year established	May 3, 1992
Original 1947 NPA?	No
Parent code	404
Overlay codes	762
Currently in use?	Yes, actively assigned
Ten-digit dialing required?	Yes

706 as an Overlay of 404

Area code 706 is an overlay of area code 404, meaning the two codes share the exact same geographic territory in Northern and west-central Georgia, excluding metropolitan Atlanta — spanning roughly 53 counties from Rome and Dalton in the northwest through Athens to Augusta in the east, plus a separate region around Columbus in the west-central part of the state. When 706 was activated in May 3, 1992, all existing 404 phone numbers stayed unchanged. New phone lines in the region may now be assigned either 404 or 706, 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 404.

Cities Served by Area Code 706

Area code 706 serves Northern and west-central Georgia, excluding metropolitan Atlanta — spanning roughly 53 counties from Rome and Dalton in the northwest through Athens to Augusta in the east, plus a separate region around Columbus in the west-central part of the state, including the following cities and communities:

• Augusta
• Columbus
• Athens
• Rome
• Dalton
• LaGrange
• Toccoa
• Gainesville

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 404, 470, 678, 770, 478, 229, 912, 943.

How to Get a 706 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 706 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 706 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 706 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 706 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 706 number. If you already have a 706 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 Georgia sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 706 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 706 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 706 numbers for Augusta, Georgia — 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 706 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 706 area code still in use?
Yes. 706 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Northern and west-central Georgia, excluding metropolitan Atlanta — spanning roughly 53 counties from Rome and Dalton in the northwest through Athens to Augusta in the east, plus a separate region around Columbus in the west-central part of the state.

What is the difference between 706 and 762?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Georgia. 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 706?
Area code 706 is an overlay of 404. Both codes serve the same region of Georgia.

Can I get a 706 number if I don't live in Georgia?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 706 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 706 a scam area code?
No. 706 is a legitimate, active area code for Northern and west-central Georgia, excluding metropolitan Atlanta — spanning roughly 53 counties from Rome and Dalton in the northwest through Athens to Augusta in the east, plus a separate region around Columbus in the west-central part of the state. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 706 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Georgia businesses, government offices, and residents.

What cities are in the 706 area code?
The 706 area code serves Augusta, Columbus, Athens, Rome, Dalton, LaGrange, Toccoa, Gainesville, and more than 130 additional cities across roughly 53 counties in northern and west-central Georgia.

When did the 706 area code start?
Area code 706 went into service on May 3, 1992, as a geographic split from area code 404, which had been the sole code for northern Georgia since 1947.

What is the overlay for area code 706?
Area code 762 was assigned as an overlay to 706 on June 24, 2005, and mandatory ten-digit dialing took effect on April 1, 2007. Both codes serve the exact same geographic territory today.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in the 706 area?
Yes. Because 706 shares its territory with overlay code 762, all local calls within the area require ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number).

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.