Area code
908
908 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 908
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 908 at a glance
NANPA lists 718 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 908, held by 44 holders across 48 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1990-11-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Prefixes in use | 718 |
| Pooled prefixes | 516 (72%) |
| Rate centers | 48 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 44 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-15 to 2026-05-08 (214 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 53 |
Rate centers in area code 908
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH | 83 | 12% |
| SOMERVILLE | 70 | 10% |
| PLAINFIELD | 48 | 7% |
| CRANFORD | 38 | 5% |
| SUMMIT | 37 | 5% |
| UNIONVILLE | 33 | 5% |
| BERNARDSVL | 27 | 4% |
| LINDEN | 27 | 4% |
| 40 other rate centers | 355 | 49% |
Who holds the prefixes in 908
Verizon New Jersey holds the most prefixes, 143 (20%). 72% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon New Jersey | 143 | 20% |
| Level 3 Communications | 83 | 12% |
| Verizon Wireless | 83 | 12% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 74 | 10% |
| Omnipoint Communications | 56 | 8% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services | 45 | 6% |
| 38 other carriers | 234 | 33% |
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 908
- 1947-01-01 Area code 201, named as the parent of 908 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 1990-11-01 Area code 908 went into service.
- 1997-06-01 Area code 732 went into service and names 908 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 908
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 908
53 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Toms River, NJ | 5 |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 4 |
| Plainfield, NJ | 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 908 numbers
2,567 FCC complaints are on file for 2,067 numbers in 908, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 90 |
| 2024 | 103 |
| 2025 | 106 |
Other area codes in New Jersey
New Jersey is one state with 10 area codes in the NANPA table. 908 is one of them.
Next to 908 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 908 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 908 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 908 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 908
Where is area code 908?
NANPA assigns area code 908 to New Jersey, United States.
In which state does area code 908 sit?
New Jersey. 908 is one of 10 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 908 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 908 are Toms River, NJ, Elizabeth, NJ and Plainfield, NJ. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 908?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 908, Verizon New Jersey holds the most prefixes, 143 prefixes or 20%.
Which time zone does 908 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 908 as Eastern (E).
What year did 908 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1990-11-01, so 908 has been in use since 1990.
Does area code 908 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 908.
Which area codes are nearest to 908?
The area codes closest to 908, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 862 (about 23 miles), 973 (about 23 miles), 732 (about 25 miles), 848 (about 25 miles) and 201 (about 26 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 908 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 718 prefixes in service in 908, spread over 48 rate centers and 44 holders.
Are there complaints about 908 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,567 complaints for 2,067 numbers in 908. 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.