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If you live in or are looking to move to Western Maryland, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the 240 area code. To build legitimacy as a business or individual, it’s smart to use the area code of the locals, and for Western Maryland, that’s 240.
Read on to learn all there is to know about the 240 area code.
What Is an Area Code?
An area code is a three-digit code at the beginning of phone numbers regulated by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). This includes the US, Canada, and some Caribbean nations.
Area codes are specific to certain counties and regions within these larger countries. Each code refers to one area and helps direct incoming calls to the proper networks so callers can be connected.
Overlay Area Codes
Just as area codes were originally added to alleviate and evenly distribute phone traffic across the US and to properly route phone calls, overlay codes were created to alleviate the traffic going through existing area code networks.
As more and more people get new phone numbers, the number of available number combinations decreases. Introducing new overlay area codes that refer to the same region allows for a whole new pool of numbers to be used. Some regions are also split up into smaller sections. The codes that are introduced for the new sections are called split codes.
The great thing is that even when overlay codes are introduced to an area, everyone who had a number with the original area code is still able to keep it. There’s no inconvenient reshuffling of numbers, only new phone subscribers are affected.
The History of 240
The Western Maryland area code of 240 was first introduced in 1997 as part of a group of 43 new area codes created by the NANP across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. It was the 196th area code used by the NANP but only the third code used in Maryland, which is a relatively small state.
240 was created as an overlay code for the 301 area code, which was the pre-existing code in the region. The 301 numbers were being used up, so to provide new options for new customers, 240 was introduced. In 2023, area code 227 was introduced as an overlay code for 240, as all the number combinations were being used up. Maryland now has six area codes in use across the state.
What Locations are Part of Area Code 240?
240 services Western Maryland. Specific cities include:
- Germantown
- Silver Spring
- Waldorf
- Frederick
- Rockville
These areas are also serviced by the 301 and 227 area codes due to the need of overlays to provide more number options.
What Time Zone Is Area Code 240 In?
240 refers to the region of Western Maryland, which is part of the Eastern time zone. So, if you’re calling someone with a 240 area code, make sure to convert your time zone to theirs so you ensure you’re calling at a proper time of day. Sometimes, people may miss your call not because they’re ignoring you but because their time zone is different.
The same goes for calling businesses and companies in the 240 area. If you’re calling from Los Angeles, which follows Pacific time, you won’t be able to reach a business with 9-5 operating hours at 5 p.m. in LA. Using the area code of a phone number to anticipate what time zone the person or business might be in can save you a lot of awkwardness and inconvenience.
Because area codes correspond with the location where your phone was purchased and not where you currently live, a person with a 240 area code may no longer live in Maryland. But, for local businesses, using 240 to identify the time zone is a great way to ensure you only call during hours of operation.
How Do You Get a 240 Area Code Number?
The main reasons you might want to get a number with a 240 area code are either because you live in or are moving to Western Maryland or because you’re opening a business there. If one of these is the case, read on to learn how you can secure a 240 number.
In-Store
You always have the option to go to a store in Western Maryland in person to grab your 240 area code number. But remember, since 227 was introduced as an overlay in 2023, that means there is a general shortage of 240 numbers. It won’t mean that getting one is impossible, but it may lessen your chances.
Phone carrier stores may give you a selection of available numbers to choose from, or you may have to ask for a 240 number specifically and see if they have one available.
Online Second Phone Number App
If you want to avoid the chaos of a phone carrier store, you can always pay for a 240 phone number with an online phone number app. In the sign-up process, these apps allow you to choose your area code when picking your new number. When prompted, choose 240.
Options for this method include sites like:
- Burner
- OpenPhone
- KrispCall
- Talkroute
- LinkedPhone
Many of these options, including Burner phone, come with a variety of perks outside of building a custom phone number with a 240 area code. Using a second phone number is a great way to boost your cybersecurity.
The fewer places your phone number appears online and the fewer people you give it to, the less likely you are to be hacked. Try Burner today to grab your very own 240 area code and discover the benefits of a second number.
Why Should You Get a 240 Area Code Number?
The biggest reason to get the 240 code is to appear like you’re from Maryland, so only those who live in or own a business in Western Maryland should look into it.
For businesses in particular, getting an area code that matches the place in which you operate will help your business seem more legit. People are more likely to pass off an unknown number as spam when it’s from a random area code and less likely to pass when it matches their own. Because customer engagement and trust are key, you want your customers to pick up the phone if you call and trust your number.
For individuals getting a new number for personal use, the same reason rings true. Your neighbors will be more likely to pick up your call if they know it’s a Maryland number rather than risk answering a number from far away that could be spam.
How To Dial a 240 Area Code Number
The steps for dialing a 240 area code number are the same as calling any other American phone number. All you have to do is follow the steps listed below to call from your smartphone or landline.
The proper written format for a 240 number looks like this:
- (240) prefix-line number
The prefix will be three digits, and the line number will be four digits for every standard NANP number. An example of a 240 number looks like this:
- (240) 397-8315
The parentheses are for proper phone number format, but casually, you can also write it like this:
- 240-397-8315
When typing in the numbers on a dial pad, you won’t have to type the dashes or parentheses; the phone will add those for you.
Calling a 240 Area Code Number Internationally
If you need to call a friend or business in Western Maryland from out of the country, you will have to include your country’s exit code and the US’s entry code to properly direct the call out of the country you’re in and into the US.
The format looks like this:
- Exit code + entry code (240) prefix-line number
An example call from France to Maryland would look like this:
- 0 +1 (240) 973-7342
The format works as a direction system, first guiding the call out of the country you’re in, then into the US, 240 works to guide it into Maryland, and the prefix and line number direct you to the individual person. Zero is France’s exit code, and one is the US entry code. Most countries use zero as their exit code, but you should look up your location to ensure you use the right numbers.
Wrapping Up 240
240 is an area code that services the region of Western Maryland, USA. If you live there or are setting up a business in the area, it’s a good idea to invest in a 240 code to appear legitimate and gain the trust of your community when calling.
You can do so at a phone store or digitally with a second number app like Burner. To dial a 240 number, use traditional American and international phone number format.
If you ever need to look up someone with a 240 phone number, you can always use a people search engine like Whitepages to find them, just make sure to be ethical and respectful when doing so.
So, soak up the beautiful scenery of the East coast and enjoy all that the 240 area code has to offer.
Sources:
240 Area Code - Location map, time zone, and phone lookup
What are exit codes, and why do I need them? - Microsoft Support
About international phone number format | WhatsApp Help Center
