Area Codes

The 848 Area Code Explained — New Jersey Phone Numbers

September 6, 2026 · by David · 4 min read

Area code 848 covers Toms River and surrounding areas in New Jersey. It was activated in 2001 as an overlay of area code 732. For the full picture, see all New Jersey area codes.

Quick Facts: Area Code 848
State New Jersey
Primary city Toms River
Cities also served Toms River, New Brunswick, Lakewood, Perth Amboy, Edison, Brick Township, Sayreville, Long Branch
Time zone Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST)
Year established December 29, 2001
Original 1947 NPA? No
Parent code 732
Overlay codes 732
Currently in use? Yes, actively assigned
Ten-digit dialing required? Yes

848 as an Overlay of 732

Area code 848 is an overlay of area code 732, meaning the two codes share the exact same geographic territory in Central and East-Central New Jersey, including Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties. When 848 was activated in December 29, 2001, all existing 732 phone numbers stayed unchanged. New phone lines in the region may now be assigned either 732 or 848, 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 732.

Cities Served by Area Code 848

Area code 848 serves Central and East-Central New Jersey, including Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties, including the following cities and communities:

  • Toms River
  • New Brunswick
  • Lakewood
  • Perth Amboy
  • Edison
  • Brick Township
  • Sayreville
  • Long Branch

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 732, 908, 201, 551, 609, 640, 856, 862.

How to Get a 848 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 848 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 848 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 848 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 848 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 848 number. If you already have a 848 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 New Jersey sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 848 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 848 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 848 numbers for Toms River, New Jersey — 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 848 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 848 area code still in use?
Yes. 848 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Central and East-Central New Jersey, including Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties.

What is the difference between 848 and 732?
Today they share the same geographic territory in New Jersey. 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 848?
Area code 848 is an overlay of 732. Both codes serve the same region of New Jersey.

Can I get a 848 number if I don't live in New Jersey?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 848 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 848 a scam area code?
No. 848 is a legitimate, active area code for Central and East-Central New Jersey, including Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 848 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real New Jersey businesses, government offices, and residents.

What area does the 848 area code cover?
Area code 848 covers central and east-central New Jersey, including Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties. Key cities include Toms River, New Brunswick, Lakewood, Perth Amboy, and Edison.

Is 848 an overlay of 732?
Yes. Area code 848 was introduced on December 29, 2001 as an overlay for the 732 area code. Both codes serve the exact same geographic region, and ten-digit dialing became mandatory on December 1, 2001 when the overlay was implemented.

Why was the 848 area code created?
The 848 area code was created to relieve numbering exhaustion in the 732 area code. Rather than splitting the region geographically, regulators chose an overlay so that existing 732 subscribers could keep their numbers while new numbers could be assigned under 848.

Do I need to dial ten digits when calling a 848 number?
Yes. Because 848 overlays 732, all local calls within this region require ten-digit dialing — area code plus the seven-digit number — regardless of whether you are calling a 732 or 848 number.

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