--- title: "617 area code: Boston business phone numbers | Chargezen" description: "Area code 617 covers Boston, Cambridge, Somerville and nearby cities, on Eastern time. See its overlay, open 617 numbers and how Concierge answers." url: "https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/massachusetts/617-area-code" lang: "en" --- Canonical URL: https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/massachusetts/617-area-code # A 617 number for your Boston business. Area code 617 is Boston, Cambridge and the inner suburbs. Get a 617 number for calls and texts, or bring yours, and let Concierge answer it. [Get a 617 number](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup) time zone Eastern time zone in service since 1947 in service since overlay code 857 overlay code ## Where 617 is. 617 is one of the 1947 originals and once covered all of eastern Massachusetts. The 508 code took the south and west in 1988, and the suburbs around Boston moved to 781 in 1997, which left 617 to the city and its closest neighbors. The 857 overlay went into service in 2001, so new numbers in the 617 area can start with 857. State [Massachusetts](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/massachusetts) Main cities Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, Quincy, Chelsea and Everett Counties Suffolk, Middlesex (part) and Norfolk (part) Time zone Eastern time Overlays 857 (2001) Neighboring codes * 781 and 339: the ring of suburbs around 617, from Lynn to Waltham to Braintree * 978 and 351: farther north and west * 508 and 774: farther south and west In service since 1947 ## Open 617 numbers right now. A live sample from our carrier. Numbers are not held, so they can be taken at any time. Not seeing one you like? 857 numbers serve the same area as 617, and [a toll-free number](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/toll-free) works everywhere. You can also see all [Massachusetts numbers](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/massachusetts). ## How Concierge answers on a 617 number. A 617 number says Boston to callers, whether you run a Back Bay boutique or a Cambridge startup shipping everywhere. Concierge answers on Eastern time and brings in a teammate when a call needs one. 1. 1 ### A customer calls or texts Concierge picks up on your 617 number, recognizes customers by their phone number and pulls up their orders and history. 2. 2 ### It handles the request Order status, changes, refunds within your rules, and questions about your products. 3. 3 ### A teammate joins if needed One tap to join the call. Concierge introduces your teammate to the caller first. 4. 4 ### Everything stays on record Calls and texts land in your team inbox, in one history for each customer. You choose who answers each number: a digital employee takes every call, a teammate gets the first ring and Concierge picks up if nobody answers, or only teammates answer. ## Get a 617 number that answers. A local 617 number for calls and texts, answered day and night, with your team one tap away. [Get a number](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup) [See Concierge](https://chargezen.com/concierge) ## Common questions ### Is 617 a toll-free number? No. 617 is a local area code for Boston and its inner suburbs, Massachusetts. Callers are charged as they would be for any regular call on their phone plan. Toll-free numbers start with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 or 888, and the business pays for those calls. ### What time zone is 617? 617 is on Eastern time. All of Massachusetts is on Eastern time. ### Can I text from a 617 number? Yes. A 617 number from Chargezen takes both calls and texts. US carriers require 10DLC registration before a business texts from a local number, and Chargezen files it for you from the details you provide. Concierge answers the texts as well as the calls. ### Can I keep my number if I switch? Yes. Bring your 617 number over from your current provider. Chargezen checks that the number can move, you sign a letter of authorization in Chargezen, and you follow the transfer there. The number stays the same, area code included. ### What other area codes cover Boston and its inner suburbs? 857 is an overlay on 617, so it shares the same area. A new number there can start with any of them. ## More area codes and numbers. [ ### 212 area code Manhattan, New York.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/new-york/212-area-code) [ ### 310 area code West Los Angeles and the South Bay, California.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/california/310-area-code) [ ### 312 area code Downtown Chicago, Illinois.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/illinois/312-area-code) [ ### Massachusetts numbers Every Massachusetts area code, with live numbers.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/massachusetts) [ ### Toll-free numbers 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 on one page.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/toll-free) [ ### A business number One toll-free or local number for calls and texts, or bring your own.](https://chargezen.com/concierge/features/business-phone-number) [ ### 10DLC Glossary: the registration US carriers require for business texts on local numbers.](https://chargezen.com/glossary/10dlc-10-digit-long-code) [ ### Number porting Glossary: how a phone number moves to a new provider, step by step.](https://chargezen.com/glossary/number-porting) [ ### All phone numbers Search by area code or state.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers) Sources: area codes, in-service years, overlays and time zones from the [NANPA NPA database](https://www.nanpa.com/reports/npa-reports) (North American Numbering Plan Administrator), checked October 18, 2026. NANPA lists the original area codes as in service from January 1, 1947. Cities, counties and neighboring codes are public geography. Available numbers come live from our carrier, change constantly and are not held for you.