Area code
408
408 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to California, which has 41 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 408
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.
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Area code 408 at a glance
NANPA lists 787 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 408, held by 27 holders across 14 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1959-01-01 |
| Time zone | Pacific (P) |
| Assigned overlays | 669 (2012-11-20) |
| Prefixes in use | 787 |
| Pooled prefixes | 442 (56%) |
| Rate centers | 14 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 27 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-24 to 2026-05-21 (171 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 29 |
Rate centers in area code 408
The largest rate center is SNJS WEST, with 321 prefixes (41%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| SNJS WEST | 321 | 41% |
| SNJS NORTH | 139 | 18% |
| SUNNYVALE | 96 | 12% |
| SNJS SOUTH | 84 | 11% |
| CAMPBELL | 43 | 5% |
| LOS GATOS | 24 | 3% |
| MORGANHILL | 19 | 2% |
| GILROY | 16 | 2% |
| 6 other rate centers | 45 | 6% |
Who holds the prefixes in 408
Pacific Bell holds the most prefixes, 328 (42%). 56% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Bell | 328 | 42% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 70 | 9% |
| Verizon Wireless | 65 | 8% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services | 48 | 6% |
| T-Mobile USA | 42 | 5% |
| Onvoy | 35 | 4% |
| 21 other carriers | 199 | 25% |
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 408
- 1947-01-01 Area code 415, named as the parent of 408 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 1959-01-01 Area code 408 went into service.
- 1998-07-11 Area code 831 went into service and names 408 as its parent.
- 2012-11-20 Area code 669 went into service as an overlay in the same area as 408.
Area codes nearest to 408
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
Overlay codes in the same area
ZIP codes in area code 408
29 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Salinas, CA | 8 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 5 |
| Los Gatos, CA | 4 |
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 408 numbers
4,870 FCC complaints are on file for 3,383 numbers in 408, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 106 |
| 2024 | 101 |
| 2025 | 84 |
Other area codes in California
California is one state with 41 area codes in the NANPA table. 408 is one of them.
- 209
- 213
- 279
- 310
- 323
- 341
- 350
- 357
- 369
- 415
- 424
- 442
- 510
- 530
- 559
- 562
- 619
- 626
- 628
- 650
- 657
- 661
- 669
- 707
- 714
- 738
- 747
- 760
- 805
- 818
- 820
- 831
- 837
- 840
- 858
- 909
- 916
- 925
- 949
- 951
Next to 408 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 408 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 408 was first assigned in California. 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 California next to a 408 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 408
Where is area code 408?
NANPA assigns area code 408 to California, United States.
In which state does area code 408 sit?
California. 408 is one of 41 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 408 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 408 are Salinas, CA, Sunnyvale, CA and Los Gatos, CA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 408?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 408, Pacific Bell holds the most prefixes, 328 prefixes or 42%.
Which time zone does 408 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 408 as Pacific (P).
What year did 408 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1959-01-01, so 408 has been in use since 1959.
Does area code 408 have an overlay?
Yes. 669 (in service 2012-11-20) shares the same area with 408, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 408?
The area codes closest to 408, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 831 (about 27 miles), 650 (about 38 miles), 341 (about 57 miles), 510 (about 57 miles) and 925 (about 57 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 408 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 787 prefixes in service in 408, spread over 14 rate centers and 27 holders.
Are there complaints about 408 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 4,870 complaints for 3,383 numbers in 408. 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.