Area code 862 vs 973
862 and 973 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in New Jersey, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 973 is the original, in service since 1997. 862 was added in 2001 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 862 has 391 of 786 blocks assigned (49.7%) and 973 has 779 of 786 (99.1%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 862. In the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 973 drew 726 FTC complaints against 418 for 862 – 124th and 242nd of 422 ranked codes. Older codes are spoofed more because they look more established. Neither code is better or safer than the other. They are the same geography, the same carriers and the same dialing rules; the difference is only how long each has existed and how full it is.
Side by side
| 862 | 973 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 2001 | 1997 |
| Region | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Blocks assigned | 391 of 786 (49.7%) | 779 of 786 (99.1%) |
| Largest block holder | T-Mobile 24.3% | Verizon 57% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | 418 (#242) | 726 (#124) |
| Rate centers | 40 | 42 |
Block share is allocation by the numbering administrator, not subscribers. Complaint counts cover 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 and measure how often each code is spoofed on caller ID.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between area codes 862 and 973?
None geographically – they overlay the same area, so the difference is age and how many numbers are left.
Do I need to dial the area code between 862 and 973?
Yes. Overlay areas use ten-digit dialing for local calls, including between the two codes. Seven digits reaches a recording.
Will a new number be 862 or 973?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 862, at 49.7% allocated against 99.1% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 862 or 973 more likely to be a spam call?
On the complaint data, 973 appears more often. But spoofing drives those counts, so this is about which code gets imitated, not which numbers are real.
Sources
- 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, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Each code on its own: 862 · 973. All codes in New Jersey: New Jersey area codes.