Area code 856 – New Jersey
856 has served New Jersey since 1999, split from 609. 676 of its 786 number blocks are allocated (86%). Verizon is the largest holder with 37.3% of blocks, ahead of Other CLEC / VoIP at 22.5%. 1,042 FTC complaints named a 856 caller ID in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, putting it 34th of 422 codes with five or more complaints.
- State
- New Jersey
- In service since
- 1999
- Time zone
- Eastern
- Shares area with
- No overlay
Who holds 856 number blocks
Share of the 676 assigned NXX blocks (86% of the 786 possible), across 45 carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers.
- Verizon37.3%
- Windstream13.3%
- AT&T12%
- Other CLEC / VoIP9.3%
- T-Mobile8.1%
- Onvoy6.2%
- Lumen5.2%
- Bandwidth2.7%
- Comcast2.4%
- Peerless1%
- Spok1%
- Charter0.9%
- Telnyx0.3%
- Altice0.3%
Spam complaints naming 856
FTC Do Not Call complaints where the caller ID was a 856 number, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 (33 days). Caller IDs on spam calls are frequently spoofed, so these are complaints about the code, not calls proven to originate in it.
Rate centers in 856
NANPA allocates number blocks to rate centers and records their names abbreviated to ten characters, so these are NANPA's codes rather than place names – CHAMPAURBN is Champaign-Urbana, NWYRCYZN01 is a New York City zone. We show them unchanged instead of guessing at the full names. Showing the largest 5 of 32.
Timeline
- 1999 856 goes into service, split from or overlaid on 609.
More about 856
Separate pages for the questions that need their own answer: what time it is there, what the complaint data says, who holds the number blocks, and how the code compares with the one it shares its area with.
Frequently asked about 856
What state is area code 856?
New Jersey.
Is a call from 856 a scam?
856 is one of the most complained-about codes in the country – 1,042 FTC complaints in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 34th of 422 ranked codes. Most of those calls are spoofed: the caller fakes a local-looking number because it gets answered more often. Look up the specific number rather than judging by the code.
Which carrier owns 856 numbers?
Verizon holds the largest share of assigned number blocks at 37.3%. The rest is spread across 3 other carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers – people keep their numbers when they switch carriers.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in 856?
Yes – ten digits for local calls in 856, because it shares its area with another code.
Sources and verification
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- NANPA – CO Code Assignment Records, All States (utilized), file updated 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 25 daily files 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
NANPA dialing note for this code: “10D”. Reviewed by the data desk. Spotted an error? Request a correction.