Area code
401
401 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Rhode Island, which has 1 area code in total.
Validate a number in 401
Paste a full number and the tool checks it against the numbering plan. It returns the standard formats, the line type the plan assigns and the area code region.
Digits with or without punctuation work. Numbers outside the US are read with the +country code.
Area code 401 at a glance
NANPA lists 579 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 401, held by 39 holders across 25 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Prefixes in use | 579 |
| Pooled prefixes | 421 (73%) |
| Rate centers | 25 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 39 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-16 to 2026-03-27 (153 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 32 |
Rate centers in area code 401
The largest rate center is PROVIDENCE, with 234 prefixes (40%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PROVIDENCE | 234 | 40% |
| PAWTUCKET | 38 | 7% |
| WOONSOCKET | 34 | 6% |
| NEWPORT | 26 | 4% |
| WARWICK | 21 | 4% |
| CENTREDALE | 20 | 3% |
| NARRAGNSTT | 19 | 3% |
| W WARWICK | 19 | 3% |
| 17 other rate centers | 168 | 29% |
Who holds the prefixes in 401
Verizon New England holds the most prefixes, 164 (28%). 73% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon New England | 164 | 28% |
| Paetec Itel | 65 | 11% |
| Verizon Wireless | 42 | 7% |
| Omnipoint Miami E License | 40 | 7% |
| Comcast IP Phone | 35 | 6% |
| Level 3 Communications | 32 | 6% |
| 33 other carriers | 201 | 35% |
A prefix holder is the company a code was assigned to, not necessarily a number's current carrier, because numbers can be ported to another company. Find which carrier a number is on, or browse the prefix holders.
History of area code 401
- 1947-01-01 Area code 401 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 401
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
ZIP codes in area code 401
32 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Providence, RI | 12 |
| Warwick, RI | 4 |
| Pawtucket, RI | 3 |
A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems. A ZIP code can sit in more than one area code, and an area code spans many ZIP codes.
Complaints on file for 401 numbers
2,831 FCC complaints are on file for 2,089 numbers in 401, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 112 |
| 2024 | 129 |
| 2025 | 123 |
Rhode Island has one area code
401 is the only area code the table assigns to Rhode Island, so every geographic number there starts with it.
Next to 401 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 401 when all are sorted by number. They are neighbours on the list, not necessarily on the map.
What the area code does and does not tell you
A number that starts with 401 was first assigned in Rhode Island. That is a fact about where the number began, and it is a useful hint when you check a form entry, for example a billing address in Rhode Island next to a 401 phone number.
It does not show where the person is today. A number stays with its owner after a move or a change of provider (number portability), and mobile numbers travel with the handset. The area code also cannot tell you whether the line is active, who the carrier is, or whether the number is mobile or fixed: the plan shares those ranges. Read more about the area code, the numbering plan and line type.
Check numbers in bulk with the API
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Numbering-Plan Validation | 1 credit per valid number | API docs |
| Phone Intelligence (carrier and line status) | 1 credit per check (invalid numbers outside the US and Canada are free) | Product page |
Questions about area code 401
Where is area code 401?
NANPA assigns area code 401 to Rhode Island, United States.
In which state does area code 401 sit?
Rhode Island. 401 is one of 1 area code the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 401 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 401 are Providence, RI, Warwick, RI and Pawtucket, RI. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 401?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 401, Verizon New England holds the most prefixes, 164 prefixes or 28%.
Which time zone does 401 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 401 as Eastern (E).
What year did 401 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 401 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 401 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 401.
Which area codes are nearest to 401?
The area codes closest to 401, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 774 (about 21 miles), 508 (about 28 miles), 339 (about 45 miles), 617 (about 46 miles) and 781 (about 46 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 401 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 579 prefixes in service in 401, spread over 25 rate centers and 39 holders.
Are there complaints about 401 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,831 complaints for 2,089 numbers in 401. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.
Area code assignments: North American Numbering Plan Administrator NPA report, file dated 10/17/2026, retrieved 2026-10-17. Source file. New codes are assigned several times a year. Prefixes, rate centers, holders, time zone, in-service date and overlays: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17 and NPA report dated 2026-10-18. Complaints: FCC consumer complaints open data, fetched 2026-10-17. ZIP code places: Postal code places and coordinates: GeoNames (geonames.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.