The search for the “area code 974 US” often stems from confusion regarding the number’s domestic or international status.
The definitive answer is that 974 is not a valid geographic area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which includes the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Instead, the sequence +974 is the international Country Calling Code for Qatar, a nation located in the Middle East.
If you receive a call from a number displaying (974) XXX-XXXX, the number is likely spoofed (if you are in the US) or is an international call originating from Qatar.
Location of +974: The Country Code for Qatar
The +974 code covers the entire nation of Qatar, a peninsula country in the Persian Gulf.
| Detail | Information |
| Code Type: | International Country Calling Code (Not a NANP Area Code) |
| Country: | Qatar |
| Continent: | Asia (Middle East) |
| Capital City: | Doha |
| Time Zone: | Arabian Standard Time (AST), which is UTC/GMT +3 hours. Qatar does not observe Daylight Saving Time. |
NANP Status (US)
The NANPA officially lists 974 as an unassigned area code, meaning it is held in a reserve pool for future geographic or non-geographic use within the NANP.
Dialing Rules for Qatar (+974)
Qatar uses a uniform national numbering plan. After dialing the country code, all national phone numbers are 8 digits long and do not require any city area codes for international calls.
Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions (From the US/Canada):
- Dial the International Exit Code: Use 011 (standard for the US/Canada) or the universal plus sign (+) on a mobile phone.
- Dial the Qatar Country Code: Enter 974.
- Dial the 8-Digit National Number: Enter the full 8-digit local number.
Example (Calling Doha from the US):
Security Warning: Handling Unsolicited Calls
While calls from Qatar are often legitimate business calls related to the country’s oil and finance industries, all unexpected international calls should be approached with caution.
- High Cost: Calling the code will incur international charges from your mobile carrier unless you have an international calling plan. Never return a missed call from this number out of curiosity.
- Spoofing Risk: If your Caller ID displays (974) XXX-XXXX (a 10-digit number) while you are in the US, the number is technically spoofed, even if the caller is a legitimate business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the capital of Qatar?
The capital and largest city, which uses the code, is Doha.
How many digits are in a Qatari phone number?
A complete, internationally formatted Qatari phone number consists of the +974 country code followed by 8 digits, totaling 11 digits.
What is the time difference?
Qatar (UTC+3) is typically 8 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Conclusion
The 974 area code is unassigned in the US but is the valid international code for Qatar (). If you need to contact the region, use the prefix followed by the 8-digit number. For safety, ignore all unsolicited calls from this international code to avoid unexpected charges.
