Area Code 901: Get a Memphis Phone Number

901 · Memphis

What is the area code for Memphis?

The area code for Memphis, Tennessee is 901 (no current overlays). The 901 area code is a North American Numbering Plan geographic code assigned in 1947, covering the Memphis Metro region. It serves approximately 1,000,000 residents on the Central Time (CT) (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST).

The 901 area code has 615 assigned central-office prefixes (NXX codes, the three digits after the area code) across 15 rate centers, with numbers allocated to roughly 51 carriers.

At 615 of the ~792 usable central-office prefixes, the 901 area code has about 78% of its numbering capacity assigned. See how 901 compares in our NXX prefix allocation analysis across 338 US area codes. (Prefix data: localcallingguide.com / NANPA, 2026.)

Where is area code 901? Location and map area

Area code 901 is located in Tennessee, the United States. Its coverage area centers on Memphis and spans the Memphis Metro region. If you received a call from a 901 number, the caller's number was assigned in this area — though with number porting and virtual numbers, the person may be calling from anywhere.

The 901 location sits in Central Time (CT), so local business hours run roughly 9 a.m.–5 p.m. CT. Neighboring Tennessee area codes include 423, 615, 629.

For the full story — every city covered, overlay history, and local scam patterns — read the complete Memphis area code guide.

Cities served by the 901 area code

The 901 area code covers 5 major cities and towns across the Memphis Metro region (TN):

Businesses across Memphis and surrounding cities use 901 numbers to project local presence and lift call answer rates. Industry studies of local presence dialing consistently report answer-rate gains of 20–40% over toll-free or out-of-area numbers — a caller ID that matches the recipient's region looks familiar and gets picked up.

901 area code time zone and business hours

The 901 area code is in the Central Time (CT) zone (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST). Standard business hours in 901 run 9 AM to 5 PM CT.

If you're calling into 901 from a different time zone, factor in the offset. For example, an Eastern Time business calling 901 at 9 AM ET reaches Memphis at 8 AM CT — likely outside standard business hours.

History of the 901 area code

The 901 area code was one of the original 86 area codes assigned in 1947 when the North American Numbering Plan was first deployed. It remains a single-coverage area code with no current overlay assignments.

Is the 901 area code safe? Spam and scam calls

901 is a legitimate geographic area code for Memphis — it is not a scam code or a premium-rate prefix, and a call from a 901 number is most likely a genuine local caller. The risk is not the area code itself but a tactic called neighbor spoofing: scammers fake their caller ID so an unwanted call appears to come from your own area code, because people answer familiar numbers more readily.

If you get an unexpected 901 call, a few signals point to a likely scam — a pre-recorded message, urgent pressure to act now, a demand for payment by gift card or wire transfer, or anyone asking for passwords, Social Security, or account numbers. Let suspicious calls go to voicemail, never share personal information, and report fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

The FCC consumer guide on spoofing explains your rights under the Truth in Caller ID Act. A real Memphis business will leave a clear voicemail and will not pressure you.

US carriers verify caller ID with the STIR/SHAKEN framework, which flags many spoofed numbers as "Spam Likely" before they ring. DialPhone 901 numbers are registered for STIR/SHAKEN attestation, so calls from your business are verified as genuine and reach customers without a false spam label. See the DialPhone guide to VoIP security for more.

Why get a 901 area code number for your business?

Getting a 901 number gives your business three measurable advantages over a toll-free or out-of-area number:

1. Local trust signal. Customers in Memphis recognize 901 as their home area code. Caller ID matching builds immediate credibility for service businesses, sales outreach, and patient communication.
2. Higher answer rate. Calls from a familiar local area code are answered far more often than unknown or toll-free numbers — industry measurements of local presence dialing put the lift at 20–40%, which matters most for outbound sales, appointment confirmations, and time-sensitive service callbacks.
3. Targeted marketing. Businesses serving Memphis and the broader Memphis Metro can advertise a local number across print, radio, billboards, and digital channels for higher conversion than a national 800 number.

For businesses in Memphis and surrounding cities, top industries that benefit from local 901 presence include Professional Services, Healthcare, and Retail. DialPhone's AI receptionist is available for every 901 number — never miss a call, even after standard business hours.

How to get a 901 area code number

Setting up a 901 business number with DialPhone takes under 10 minutes:

1. Sign up for a DialPhone plan. Choose any plan starting at $24/user/month. Free 14-day trial, no credit card required.
2. Search available 901 numbers. Filter the DialPhone number inventory by area code, city, or pattern.
3. Choose your number and configure. Assign your new 901 number to a user or team, set up call routing, voicemail, AI receptionist, and business SMS.
4. Port your existing number (optional). Already have a 901 number? Free number porting in 2 to 5 business days with zero service interruption.

New to local numbers? The complete guide to getting a local phone number covers choosing the right area code, porting an existing line, and avoiding spam flags.

AI receptionist for 901 area code businesses

Every DialPhone 901 number includes optional AI receptionist coverage, available 24/7. The AI handles calls when your team is unavailable — answering common questions, booking appointments, routing urgent callers to on-call staff, and capturing voicemail with full transcription and intent tagging.

For businesses in Memphis that handle high call volume, run extended hours, or need bilingual support (especially valuable in service areas with diverse customer bases), the AI receptionist reduces voicemail backlog and improves first-call resolution.

All area codes in Tennessee

Tennessee has 8 active geographic area codes. The 901 area code is part of the same numbering plan as the codes listed below — calls between them are typically local within the state, depending on the carrier.

Nearby area codes

Related area codes in Tennessee and the Central Time (CT) region:

• 423 area code — Chattanooga, Tennessee
• 615 area code — Nashville, Tennessee
• 629 area code — Nashville, Tennessee
• 731 area code — Jackson, Tennessee
• 865 area code — Knoxville, Tennessee
• 931 area code — Clarksville, Tennessee

All Tennessee area codes → · Browse all US area codes →

More area codes: ← 879 St. Johns · 902 Halifax →

How this page is verified

DialPhone re-verifies every area code page every 90 days. Area code geography, timezone, and overlay data come from the official North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) database. Pricing reflects the published DialPhone plan tiers — see the pricing page for current details. Number availability varies; check the DialPhone signup flow for live inventory in the 901 region.

What to know before getting a 901 number

• Number availability is finite. Popular Memphis area codes can be inventory-constrained — request specific vanity patterns early.
• Porting timing varies. Most 901 ports complete in 2-5 business days; complex multi-line legacy contracts can take 7-10.
• HIPAA tier required for healthcare. The Core $24 plan doesn't include a BAA — healthcare users need Advanced ($34) or above.