Area code
856
856 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to New Jersey, which has 10 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 856
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 856 at a glance
NANPA lists 666 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 856, held by 44 holders across 32 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1999-06-12 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Prefixes in use | 666 |
| Pooled prefixes | 520 (78%) |
| Rate centers | 32 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 44 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-04 to 2026-03-20 (261 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 29 |
Rate centers in area code 856
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CAMDEN | 80 | 12% |
| HADDONFLD | 64 | 10% |
| MOORESTOWN | 53 | 8% |
| VINELAND | 43 | 6% |
| MERCHANTVL | 30 | 5% |
| WOODBURY | 30 | 5% |
| HADDON HTS | 28 | 4% |
| LAUREL SPG | 24 | 4% |
| 24 other rate centers | 314 | 47% |
Who holds the prefixes in 856
Verizon New Jersey holds the most prefixes, 174 (26%). 78% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon New Jersey | 174 | 26% |
| Paetec Itel | 90 | 14% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services | 44 | 7% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 42 | 6% |
| Omnipoint Communications Enterprises | 41 | 6% |
| Level 3 Communications | 35 | 5% |
| 38 other carriers | 240 | 36% |
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 856
- 1957-01-01 Area code 609, named as the parent of 856 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 1999-06-12 Area code 856 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 856
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 856
29 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Camden, NJ | 5 |
| Vineland, NJ | 3 |
| Riverton, NJ | 2 |
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 856 numbers
2,839 FCC complaints are on file for 2,139 numbers in 856, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 69 |
| 2024 | 106 |
| 2025 | 106 |
Other area codes in New Jersey
New Jersey is one state with 10 area codes in the NANPA table. 856 is one of them.
Next to 856 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 856 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 856 was first assigned in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey next to a 856 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 856
Where is area code 856?
NANPA assigns area code 856 to New Jersey, United States.
In which state does area code 856 sit?
New Jersey. 856 is one of 10 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 856 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 856 are Camden, NJ, Vineland, NJ and Riverton, NJ. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 856?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 856, Verizon New Jersey holds the most prefixes, 174 prefixes or 26%.
Which time zone does 856 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 856 as Eastern (E).
What year did 856 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1999-06-12, so 856 has been in use since 1999.
Does area code 856 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 856.
Which area codes are nearest to 856?
The area codes closest to 856, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 609 (about 27 miles), 302 (about 33 miles), 640 (about 33 miles), 215 (about 42 miles) and 267 (about 42 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 856 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 666 prefixes in service in 856, spread over 32 rate centers and 44 holders.
Are there complaints about 856 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,839 complaints for 2,139 numbers in 856. 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.