business phone · 8 min read
Area Code for Buffalo, NY
Buffalo runs on area code 716, assigned in 1947, with 624 overlay added Nov 2023. Full guide to WNY coverage, history, scams, and getting a business phone number.
Buffalo, New York runs on area code 716 — one of the original 86 codes assigned in 1947 when AT&T first divided North America into numbered regions.
For 76 years, 716 stood alone as western New York’s only area code. That changed on November 16, 2023, when area code 624 launched as an all-service overlay. New phone numbers in the region may now carry either 716 or 624 — but every existing 716 number stays put, and the cultural weight of “the 716” is unshaken.
Quick disambiguation: this is Buffalo, New York — not Buffalo, Minnesota (area code 763) or Buffalo, Wyoming (area code 307). The Buffalo that invented chicken wings, hosts the NFL Bills and NHL Sabres, and borders Niagara Falls runs entirely on 716.
What’s the area code for Buffalo?
Buffalo and western New York are served by two area codes under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP):
| Code | Established | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 716 | 1947 | Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus counties | Original WNY NPA; primary identity code |
| 624 | Nov 2023 | Same four-county footprint as 716 | All-service overlay; new numbers only |
Buffalo sits in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) — UTC−5 in winter, UTC−4 in summer.
All calls within the 716/624 region require ten-digit dialing — dial the full area code plus seven-digit number even for local calls.
Area code 585 (Rochester) is the nearest neighboring code to the east but does not cover Buffalo. If a business card says 585, that person works in Rochester or the Genesee Valley — roughly 75 miles from Buffalo.
Buffalo metro area codes by region
Area codes 716 and 624 cover the entire western New York region. Here is how the major areas map to the code:
Downtown Buffalo and inner city — 716/624: The central business district, Allentown, Elmwood Village, North Buffalo, West Side, South Buffalo, and Buffalo’s East Side all use 716 (or 624 for newer lines). The University at Buffalo’s South Campus (downtown), Canisius University, and D’Youville University are all in 716 territory. Highmark Stadium (Bills home) and KeyBank Center (Sabres home) both carry 716 addresses.
First-ring suburbs — 716/624: Cheektowaga, Kenmore, Tonawanda, and Lackawanna border the city directly and share the 716/624 footprint. These communities are functionally part of the Buffalo urban core even though they are separate municipalities.
Amherst and the northern suburbs — 716/624: Amherst (home to University at Buffalo’s North Campus), Williamsville, Clarence, and Depew use 716/624. The University at Buffalo’s main academic campus in Amherst carries a 716 address.
Niagara County — 716/624: Niagara Falls, Lockport, and North Tonawanda are in the 716/624 region. Niagara Falls itself — one of the most visited natural landmarks in North America — is a 716 number.
Southern tier (Chautauqua and Cattaraugus) — 716/624: Jamestown, Dunkirk, Fredonia (Chautauqua County) and Olean, Salamanca (Cattaraugus County) all use 716/624. Note: A small number of Olean-area exchanges near the 716/585 boundary may use 585 for legacy Sprint cell assignments.
History of Buffalo area codes
Buffalo’s area code history spans three distinct eras — the post-war telephone build, the 1990s wireless explosion, and the 2023 capacity overlay.
1947 — 716 assigned to western New York. When AT&T engineers designed the original North American Numbering Plan, they assigned area code 716 to western New York state. The original territory was larger than today’s four-county footprint. Middle digit “1” in 716 (following NANP’s original coding convention) indicated a sub-state region rather than a whole-state code.
1954 — Eastern portion creates area code 607. A portion of the original 716 territory in the Southern Tier was merged with part of NPA 315 to form area code 607, covering Binghamton and the Southern Tier. The western NY core remained 716.
2001 — 585 split off Rochester and the Genesee Valley. The wireless and internet boom drove number exhaustion in the remaining 716 territory. The New York Public Service Commission (NY PSC) approved a geographic split. Area code 585 was carved out to serve Rochester, Monroe County, and the Genesee Valley corridor to the east. Buffalo and the four western counties kept 716.
After the 585 split, 716’s territory stabilized. For 22 years — from 2001 to 2023 — Buffalo had one area code.
November 2023 — 624 overlay introduced. A 2022 analysis by the NANP Administrator (nationalnanpa.com) determined that 716 would exhaust available central office prefixes by approximately 2024. The NY PSC approved area code 624 as an all-service overlay. On November 16, 2023, 624 went live. New service requests in the region may receive 624 numbers. Existing 716 numbers are unchanged. Emergency services (911) still use 3-digit dialing.
Unlike a split — which divides the territory and forces some subscribers to renumber — an overlay keeps all existing numbers intact. The 716 identity is preserved; 624 simply adds new number capacity to the same region.
The FCC oversees the NANP framework: fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id.
716 as Buffalo identity
Few area codes in North America carry as much emotional weight as 716. Buffalo residents have worn the number as a badge of regional pride for decades — it appears on T-shirts, hats, and stadium banners visible on national television every Bills and Sabres game night.
The civic attachment to 716 is documented. When state officials first discussed relieving number pressure through a split in the early 2000s, Buffalo community leaders actively lobbied the NY PSC to maintain 716 for the city core. “We thought it was important to maintain and retain that identity of 716,” local advocates argued. The 2001 resolution — splitting Rochester off to 585 while keeping Buffalo in 716 — was a deliberate cultural preservation decision.
716 Day is celebrated every July 16. Local businesses, bars, and community organizations hold events marking the area code as a regional holiday. The number adorns merchandise sold in every corner of western New York.
The cultural anchors that make 716 resonant go beyond the digits. The Buffalo Bills (NFL) sell out Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, where “716” is emblazoned for a national audience. The Buffalo Sabres (NHL) play at KeyBank Center downtown. Anchor Bar in Buffalo invented chicken wings in 1964 — the city’s most globally exported culinary claim. Niagara Falls draws millions of tourists annually to 716 territory.
Buffalo’s character is often described as blue-collar grit shaped by snowbelt winters, Great Lakes geography, and post-industrial resilience. The Frank Lloyd Wright Martin House and the Albright-Knox Art Gallery (now Buffalo AKG Art Museum) represent the city’s architectural and cultural depth. The University at Buffalo is the largest public research university in New York state.
For businesses, 716 carries outsized trust. A local 716 caller ID signals authentic western New York presence — not a national call center pretending to be local.
Buffalo area code spam and scams
Western New York’s 716 and 624 codes are targets for caller ID spoofing. Scammers display local Buffalo area codes to increase answer rates — a tactic called neighbor spoofing.
NY-specific scam patterns to know:
Fake National Grid utility shutoff calls. National Grid is the dominant electric and gas utility for western New York. Callers impersonate National Grid billing departments, threatening immediate service shutoff unless payment is made via gift card or wire transfer. National Grid sends written notices before any service interruption and never demands gift card payments by phone.
IRS impersonation calls. An overseas fraud network has repeatedly targeted 716-area numbers with fake IRS debt calls. The IRS never initiates contact by phone and never requests gift card payments.
Fake Bills and Sabres ticket scams. Scammers exploit Buffalo’s passionate sports fan base by spoofing 716 numbers to offer fake discount tickets or playoff packages. Always purchase tickets through the team’s official site or authorized resellers.
Snowstorm emergency fraud. Buffalo’s severe winters create seasonal opportunities for scammers — fake calls claiming to be from utility crews, road services, or government emergency lines. Activity spikes after major snowfall events.
Fake delivery notification calls. Spoofed 716 numbers claim a package is held pending a customs payment or rescheduling fee. Active year-round, peaks during holiday shipping seasons.
STIR/SHAKEN (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited / Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) is the FCC-mandated framework that combats caller ID spoofing. Carriers authenticate outbound calls and assign an attestation level — A (fully verified), B (partial), or C (gateway or unverified).
Spoofed scam calls typically receive C-attestation or no attestation, triggering “Spam Likely” labels. When you get a Buffalo business number through DialPhone, your outbound calls carry A-attestation — the highest STIR/SHAKEN trust level — so customers see a verified caller ID rather than a spam warning.
See the FCC’s guidance: fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id.
For a deeper explanation of the authentication framework, see our STIR/SHAKEN glossary entry.
How to get a Buffalo business phone number
Getting a Buffalo 716 number takes under 10 minutes through a cloud VoIP provider. No New York office or physical presence required.
Step 1: Choose your area code. For Buffalo city presence, 716 is the code local customers associate with western New York. For new lines where 716 inventory is limited, 624 serves the identical geography. Both codes signal the same local presence to recipients.
Step 2: Sign up with a VoIP provider. DialPhone lets you search available Buffalo numbers by area code during signup. See DialPhone pricing for plan details.
Step 3: Assign the number to users or a team. Route the Buffalo number to your mobile, desktop app, or a team queue. Set up a voicemail greeting, call menu, or AI receptionist as needed.
Step 4: Configure outbound caller ID. Set your Buffalo number as the outbound caller ID so calls you make display the local 716 or 624 number to western NY recipients.
Step 5: Port existing numbers if needed. If you already have a 716 or 624 number with another carrier, you can bring it to DialPhone through number porting — typically 2–5 business days for US local numbers. See our number porting guide for the full walkthrough.
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Famous companies in Buffalo area codes
Western New York’s 716/624 region hosts a notable concentration of major employers and nationally recognized brands — all with Buffalo area code roots.
M&T Bank (HQ Buffalo) is one of the top regional banks in the US, founded in 1856 and headquartered downtown. Rich Products Corporation (HQ Buffalo) is a family-owned frozen food manufacturer and one of the largest private food companies in the US — the company that pioneered non-dairy whipped toppings. Delaware North (HQ Buffalo) is a global hospitality and food service company operating at sports venues, airports, and national parks worldwide.
New Era Cap (HQ Buffalo) is the official on-field cap supplier for MLB, NFL, and dozens of other leagues — a Buffalo-born brand worn by athletes globally, headquartered in the former Federal Reserve Building downtown. Tops Friendly Markets (HQ Williamsville, 716) is the dominant regional grocery chain across upstate New York. Independent Health and Catholic Health are major healthcare systems anchoring the 716 employment base. Moog Inc. (HQ East Aurora, 716) is a precision aerospace and defense company whose components fly on military aircraft and spacecraft worldwide.
Buffalo Wild Wings takes its name directly from the city — “Buffalo” in the name honors the invention of chicken wings at Anchor Bar in 1964 — though the chain’s corporate headquarters relocated to Atlanta. The original identity is pure 716.
Buffalo area code FAQ
Buffalo area code FAQ
What is the area code for Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo's primary area code is 716. It was assigned in 1947 as one of the original 86 North American Numbering Plan (NANP) codes and has been synonymous with western New York ever since.
In November 2023, the New York Public Service Commission introduced area code 624 as an all-service overlay. New subscribers in the 716 region may now receive 624 numbers, but every existing 716 number stays unchanged. Both codes serve the same geographic footprint — Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties.
Does Buffalo have a second area code?
Yes. Area code 624 became active on November 16, 2023, as an overlay on the 716 region. The New York PSC approved it after a 2022 NANPA analysis projected that 716 would exhaust available prefixes by 2024.
An overlay means the geographic territory does not change — 624 covers the exact same four counties as 716. Existing 716 numbers are never reassigned. New customers requesting service in western New York may receive either a 716 or 624 number depending on availability.
What areas does the 716 area code cover?
Area code 716 (and its overlay 624) serves four counties in western New York: Erie County (Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Amherst, Kenmore, Lackawanna), Niagara County (Niagara Falls, Lockport, North Tonawanda), Chautauqua County (Jamestown, Dunkirk, Fredonia), and Cattaraugus County (Olean, Salamanca).
Note that Rochester and Monroe County use area code 585, not 716. Rochester split from the original 716 territory in 2001. If a business card says 716, the number is in western New York — not Rochester.
When was area code 716 created?
Area code 716 entered service in 1947 as part of AT&T's original North American Numbering Plan. It was one of 86 area codes assigned nationwide and covered a large portion of western New York state.
In 1954, the eastern portion of 716's original territory was carved out and merged with part of NPA 315 to create area code 607. In 2001, the Rochester and Genesee Valley portion split off to become area code 585. The remaining 716 territory — the four-county western NY footprint — has been stable since 2001.
Is 716 a Buffalo-only area code?
No. Area code 716 covers all of western New York's four-county region, not just the city of Buffalo. It includes Niagara Falls, Lockport, Jamestown, Olean, and dozens of smaller communities in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus counties.
That said, 716 is culturally synonymous with Buffalo. The area code appears on merchandise, stadium banners at Highmark Stadium, and is celebrated locally on July 16 (716 Day). For outsiders, a 716 number signals western New York, and for locals it signals Buffalo first.
Are 716 calls spam?
Legitimate 716 calls are not spam. However, scammers frequently spoof Buffalo-area codes because local numbers get answered at higher rates — a tactic called neighbor spoofing.
Common 716-region scams include fake National Grid utility shutoff calls, IRS impersonation, fake Buffalo Bills or Sabres ticket offers, and snowstorm emergency fraud (especially active in winter). Hang up and call any organization directly using a number from their official website. When you get a Buffalo business number through DialPhone, your outbound calls carry STIR/SHAKEN A-attestation — the highest trust level — so customers see a verified caller ID rather than 'Spam Likely.'
Can I get a 716 area code number outside New York?
Yes. Virtual (VoIP) phone numbers are not tied to a physical address. A business anywhere in the US — or internationally — can get a Buffalo 716 number through a cloud phone provider and route calls to any device.
DialPhone assigns available western New York 716 numbers with no New York office required. The number rings on your mobile, desktop app, or team queue wherever you are. Outbound calls display your 716 number as caller ID, establishing an immediate Buffalo local presence.
How do I port my Buffalo number to a new provider?
Number porting transfers your existing 716 or 624 number from your current carrier to a new provider while keeping the same digits. For US local numbers, the process typically takes 2–5 business days.
You will need your current account number, billing address, and the PIN or passcode from your current carrier. Your service continues uninterrupted during the port. See the full walkthrough in our number porting guide.
Get a Buffalo business number
A verified Buffalo 716 number builds immediate local trust — whether you’re a national company entering the western New York market or a Buffalo business that wants its calls answered rather than screened.
DialPhone provides Buffalo numbers with STIR/SHAKEN A-attestation, AI receptionist, call recording, and SMS — on a single plan with no hardware.
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About the author
Growth Operations Lead at DialPhone
Darshan leads Growth Operations at DialPhone, where he owns three interconnected programs: the comparison content operation, the open VoIP Pricing Dataset, and the test-call methodology used to verify every pricing claim published on the site.
His research process starts with hands-on product trials and live vendor quotes — not marketing pages. Pricing figures are cross-checked against actual invoices and re-verified on a rolling quarterly cycle, with the underlying dataset kept public for independent re-verification. That dataset now covers 40+ VoIP and virtual-number providers across the US and Canada market.
Darshan also leads DialPhone's AI receptionist evaluation program, running structured test-call scenarios across English, Spanish, and French to assess transcription accuracy, intent routing, and escalation behavior. Methodology notes and raw scoring are archived in the research section.
For factual corrections or dataset discrepancies, Darshan can be reached at the DialPhone editorial address. Verified corrections are published as errata with a changelog date — no silent edits.