Area code
901
901 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Tennessee, which has 8 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 901
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Area code 901 at a glance
NANPA lists 612 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 901, held by 47 holders across 14 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 612 |
| Pooled prefixes | 388 (63%) |
| Rate centers | 14 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 47 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-23 to 2026-04-08 (254 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 73 |
Rate centers in area code 901
The largest rate center is MEMPHIS, with 499 prefixes (82%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| MEMPHIS | 499 | 82% |
| COLLIERVL | 29 | 5% |
| ARLINGTON | 21 | 3% |
| SOMERVILLE | 13 | 2% |
| COVINGTON | 10 | 2% |
| MOSCOW | 9 | 1% |
| LAGRANGE | 8 | 1% |
| MILLINGTON | 7 | 1% |
| 6 other rate centers | 16 | 3% |
Who holds the prefixes in 901
South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 168 (27%). 63% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Central Bell Tel | 168 | 27% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 90 | 15% |
| Powertel Memphis Licenses | 64 | 10% |
| Verizon Wireless | 36 | 6% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services | 35 | 6% |
| Onvoy | 33 | 5% |
| 41 other carriers | 186 | 30% |
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 901
- 1947-01-01 Area code 901 went into service.
- 2001-02-12 Area code 731 went into service and names 901 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 901
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 901
73 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Memphis, TN | 61 |
| Millington, TN | 4 |
| Arlington, TN | 1 |
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 901 numbers
3,701 FCC complaints are on file for 3,157 numbers in 901, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 130 |
| 2024 | 752 |
| 2025 | 349 |
Other area codes in Tennessee
Tennessee is one state with 8 area codes in the NANPA table. 901 is one of them.
Next to 901 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 901 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 901 was first assigned in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee next to a 901 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 901
Where is area code 901?
NANPA assigns area code 901 to Tennessee, United States.
In which state does area code 901 sit?
Tennessee. 901 is one of 8 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 901 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 901 are Memphis, TN, Millington, TN and Arlington, TN. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 901?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 901, South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 168 prefixes or 27%.
Which time zone does 901 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 901 as Central (C).
What year did 901 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 901 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 901 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 901.
Which area codes are nearest to 901?
The area codes closest to 901, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 731 (about 78 miles), 327 (about 94 miles), 662 (about 94 miles), 870 (about 121 miles) and 501 (about 137 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 901 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 612 prefixes in service in 901, spread over 14 rate centers and 47 holders.
Are there complaints about 901 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 3,701 complaints for 3,157 numbers in 901. 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.