CallataGuidesArea code 443
Where 443 is, how it is dialed, which carriers hold its numbers and how many of its codes are in use, from NANPA's 10/01/2026 files.
- State
- MD
- In service
- 1997
- Assigned codes
- 785of 800 possible
- Carriers
- 26
Area code 443 at a glance
Area code 443 is a geographic area code in Maryland, in service since June 1, 1997, according to the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA). It is an overlay: 443 and 410 and 667 cover the same territory, so neighbors on the same street can have different area codes. It is in the Eastern time zone. The places with the most assigned exchanges include Baltimore, Annapolis, Salisbury, Bel Air, and Westminster. By population, its largest named places are Baltimore, Annapolis, Salisbury, Westminster, and Aberdeen.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| State | Maryland |
| In service since | June 1, 1997 |
| Assigned by NANPA | June 21, 1996 |
| Overlay | Yes, with 410, 667 |
| Parent area code (NANPA) | 410 |
| Time zone | Eastern |
| Local calls within the code | ten digits (area code plus number) |
| Assigned central office codes | 785 |
| Rate centers with codes | 81 |
| Carriers holding codes | 26 |
| Pooled codes | 701 |
| Codes assigned since 2020 | 2 |
| Relief planning in progress | No |
Source: NANPA NPA report and utilized central office code file, both dated 10/01/2026.
Where 443 numbers are local
443 holds 21% of the 3,730 central office codes assigned in Maryland, the 2nd most of the state's 6 codes. 36 Census places could be matched to rate centers with 443 exchanges; the most populous are Baltimore (568,000), Annapolis (40,689), Salisbury (33,616), and Westminster (20,662). Each place page lists the exact prefixes and carriers for that town.
| Place | Population (2024) | Area codes | Exchanges | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 568,271 | 301, 410, 443, 667 | 451 | 44 |
| Annapolis, MD | 40,689 | 410, 443, 667 | 92 | 16 |
| Salisbury, MD | 33,616 | 410, 443, 667 | 67 | 32 |
| Westminster, MD | 20,662 | 410, 443, 667 | 28 | 14 |
| Aberdeen, MD | 18,451 | 410, 443, 667 | 44 | 9 |
| Easton, MD | 17,381 | 410, 443, 667 | 26 | 11 |
| Elkton, MD | 15,977 | 410, 443, 667 | 28 | 13 |
| Havre de Grace, MD | 15,222 | 410, 443, 667 | 8 | 5 |
| Cambridge, MD | 13,262 | 410, 443, 667 | 16 | 9 |
| Bel Air, MD | 10,395 | 410, 443, 667 | 37 | 13 |
| Taneytown, MD | 8,293 | 410, 443, 667 | 5 | 5 |
| Ocean City, MD | 6,884 | 410, 443, 667 | 12 | 7 |
| Hampstead, MD | 6,288 | 410, 443, 667 | 9 | 7 |
| Chestertown, MD | 5,702 | 410, 443, 667 | 10 | 6 |
| Berlin, MD | 5,349 | 410, 443, 667 | 9 | 7 |
Population: Census Vintage 2024 estimates for the matched place. Exchanges and carriers: NANPA utilized code file.
How calls are dialed in 443
According to NANPA's dialing-plan data, local calls within 443 are dialed as ten digits (area code plus number) and toll calls as 1 plus ten digits. Because local calls need the area code, business cards, signage and website copy should always show the full ten-digit number. NANPA's dialing-plan note for this code reads: "1+10 digit permissible at service provider discretion."
Carriers with 443 numbers
26 carriers hold the 785 central office codes assigned in 443. Paetec Itel, LLC has the most, with 153 (19%). 701 of the codes (89%) are pooled, meaning the code holder shares blocks of 1,000 numbers with other carriers instead of using all 10,000 itself. The code holder is not necessarily the carrier serving a given number today, since numbers can be ported between providers.
| Carrier (NANPA operating company) | Exchanges | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Paetec Itel, LLC | 153 | 19% |
| Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless - MD | 121 | 15% |
| Omnipoint Communications Cap Operations, LLC | 94 | 12% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC - DC | 71 | 9.0% |
| Level 3 Communications, LLC - MD | 69 | 8.8% |
| Verizon Maryland, INC. | 55 | 7.0% |
| Teleport Communications America, LLC - MD | 48 | 6.1% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services LLC | 46 | 5.9% |
| Core Communications, Inc.- MD | 34 | 4.3% |
| Metropcs, INC. | 25 | 3.2% |
| Bandwidth.com CLEC, LLC - MD | 18 | 2.3% |
| Onvoy, LLC - MD | 14 | 1.8% |
Carrier names are the operating company (OCN) names on NANPA's utilized central office code file dated 10/01/2026. A carrier holding a code may port numbers to other carriers.
Rate centers and towns in 443
NANPA assigns each central office code to a rate center, the local calling area that decides whether a call is local or toll. 443 has codes in 81 rate centers. Rate center names in the file are abbreviations; where one matches a Census place, the table links to that city's local-number page.
| Rate center (NANPA) | Place | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| BALTIMORE | Baltimore, MD | 185 |
| ANNAPOLIS | Annapolis, MD | 39 |
| TOWSON | not matched | 33 |
| COLUMBIA | not matched | 31 |
| GLENBURNIE | not matched | 26 |
| CATONSVL | not matched | 22 |
| PIKESVILLE | not matched | 21 |
| SALISBURY | Salisbury, MD | 20 |
| BEL AIR | Bel Air, MD | 19 |
| WESTMINSTR | Westminster, MD | 15 |
| ABERDEEN | Aberdeen, MD | 15 |
| ELKTON | Elkton, MD | 14 |
| PARKVILLE | not matched | 14 |
| ESSEX | not matched | 14 |
| COCKEYSVL | not matched | 14 |
| WOODLAWN | not matched | 13 |
| DUNDALK | not matched | 10 |
| SEVERNA PK | not matched | 10 |
| FALLSTON | not matched | 10 |
| ARBUTUS | not matched | 10 |
| EASTON | Easton, MD | 9 |
| RANDALLSTN | not matched | 9 |
| SEVERN | not matched | 9 |
| SYKESVILLE | Sykesville, MD | 9 |
| ELLICOTTCY | not matched | 9 |
Top 25 of 81 rate centers.
443 code assignments over time
An area code has 800 possible central office codes that start with 2 through 9, a few of which are reserved (such as N11 service codes and 555). 785 are assigned in 443, 98% of 800. 2 were assigned in 2020 or later.
| Decade assigned | Exchanges | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 213 | 71% |
| 2010s | 84 | 28% |
| 2020s | 2 | 0.67% |
Assignment dates as recorded in NANPA's utilized code file; codes without a recorded date are excluded.
Using area code 443 for business calls
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in area code 443 is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
Where is area code 443?
443 is a geographic area code in Maryland. Places with the most assigned exchanges include Baltimore, Annapolis, Salisbury, and Bel Air.
What time zone is area code 443 in?
NANPA lists 443 in the Eastern time zone.
When did area code 443 go into service?
NANPA records an in-service date of June 1, 1997. The code was assigned on June 21, 1996.
Is 443 an overlay area code?
Yes. It shares its territory with 410 and 667.
Can my business get a 443 phone number?
Callata includes up to 3 local numbers on its $99/month plan (5 users included). Which 443 numbers are open depends on carrier inventory when you choose, and you can port an existing number for free.