The 336 area code is located in North Carolina and primarily serves the populous Piedmont Triad region in the north-central and northwestern parts of the state. The code encompasses major cities like Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point.
Due to the region’s steady population and economic growth, the 336 area code is part of an overlay complex with the newer 743 area code, requiring 10-digit dialing for all local calls within this territory. This guide provides a full breakdown of the 336 area code’s location, coverage, history, and dialing rules.
336 Area Code: Location and Key Cities
The 336 area code covers a wide area stretching from the northern Piedmont region up into the northern Foothills and Mountains of North Carolina.
Primary Location and Time Zone
- State: North Carolina (NC), USA
- Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (ET) (UTC-5/UTC-4 during Daylight Saving Time)
- Key Region: The Piedmont Triad, which is an economic and cultural hub of the state.
Major Cities and Counties Covered
The 336 area code covers numerous cities and counties. The largest and most well-known are the three core cities of the Piedmont Triad:
| Major City | County |
| Greensboro | Guilford |
| Winston-Salem | Forsyth |
| High Point | Guilford, Davidson, Randolph |
| Burlington | Alamance |
| Asheboro | Randolph |
| Lexington | Davidson |
| Kernersville | Forsyth |
| Mount Airy | Surry |
| Reidsville | Rockingham |
Key Counties Included: Guilford, Forsyth, Davidson, Randolph, Alamance, Rockingham, Surry, Wilkes, and Stokes.
History and The 336/743 Overlay Complex
The 336 area code was created as a result of a geographical split, but rapid growth quickly necessitated an overlay.
Creation of 336
Area code 336 was originally established on December 15, 1997, when it was split from the larger 910 area code. The Triad region was assigned 336, marking it as a distinct area separate from the southeastern coastal region (which retained 910).
The 743 Overlay
By the mid-2010s, the increasing demand for new phone numbers in the bustling Piedmont Triad region began exhausting the supply of 336 numbers. To solve this without inconveniencing existing customers by forcing another split, the North Carolina Utilities Commission introduced an overlay area code: 743.
- Introduction Date: Area code 743 was introduced in 2016 as an overlay to the entire 336 region.
- Overlay Status: Both 336 and 743 numbers are now assigned to the same geographic area. New phone lines may be assigned either the 336 or 743 prefix.
- Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing: Because of the overlay, all local calls within the region must be placed using 10 digits (Area Code + 7-digit number), even if the caller and receiver share the same area code.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time zone for the 336 area code?
The 336 area code is located in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This means the local time follows Eastern Standard Time (EST) during the winter months and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) when Daylight Saving Time is observed.
Do I have to dial 1 before a 336 number?
For most modern mobile and landline phones, you typically do not need to dial ‘1’ before the area code for a long-distance call within the United States. However, all calls placed within the 336/743 region require the full 10-digit number (336 or 743 + 7-digit number) to connect.
Is the 336 area code known for phone scams?
The 336 area code serves a large and growing metropolitan area, making it a common target for spammers and robocallers who use local number spoofing. If you receive an unexpected call from a 336 number, especially one asking for personal information or payment, be cautious, as the number could be spoofed. You can report suspicious calls to your wireless carrier or the FTC.
What are the neighboring area codes to 336?
The 336 area code shares borders with several other North Carolina and Virginia area codes, including:
- 704/980 (Charlotte area, to the south)
- 919/984 (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, to the east)
- 828 (Western North Carolina, to the west)
- 276 (Southern Virginia, to the north)
