Area code
Area code 773 — Chicago, IL
Illinois · in service since October 12, 1996
Area code 773 covers Chicago, IL. It is an overlay: 872 serves the same area, so neighbors can have different area codes.
Overlay, same area: 872
Local time in Chicago
Spam reports from Sep 23 – Oct 22, 2026
Average #186 of 461 codes
494 FTC complaints
Consumer reports, not verified by the FTC.
See the reports- Time zoneCentral Time
- Local calls1 + 10 digits
- Prefixes800 assigned
- Runs out~4Q 2046
- Unwanted call?Block & report
Spam call reports about 773 numbers
Complaints by week
Sep 11 – Oct 22, 2026Show as table
| Week starting | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Sep 7 (3 days) | 29 |
| Sep 14 | 116 |
| Sep 21 | 105 |
| Sep 28 | 104 |
| Oct 5 | 110 |
| Oct 12 | 138 |
| Oct 19 (4 days) | 80 |
Compared with all codes
- Robocalls
- 63%all codes 75%
- Callers with the same code
- 57%all codes 35%
- Rank by complaints
- #186of 461 · middle half
- FCC complaints, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026
- 12817 about text messages
What the calls were about
Sep 11 – Oct 22, 2026
| Subject | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends | 105 15% | |
| Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans) | 90 13% | |
| Dropped call or no message | 72 11% | |
| Medical & prescriptions | 72 11% | |
| Warranties & protection plans | 10 1% | |
| Energy, solar, & utilities | 9 1% |
Where the people who complained live
Sep 11 – Oct 22, 2026
| State | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 508 74% | |
| Texas | 17 2% | |
| Florida | 16 2% | |
| California | 15 2% | |
| Georgia | 12 2% |
October 2026 (partial) report · most reported
Consumer reports, not verified by the FTC · source
Source: FTC Do Not Call complaints created Sep 11 – Oct 22, 2026. They are reported by consumers and are not verified by the FTC; caller ID can be spoofed (how we count).
Source: FCC Consumer Complaints data, unwanted calls filed Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026, by caller ID; not verified by the FCC.
Area code 773 location and prefixes
| Exchange (NANPA) | Place | County | Prefixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHICGOZN03 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 170 |
| CHICGOZN01 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 124 |
| CHICGOZN02 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 79 |
| CHICGOZN07 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 78 |
| CHICGOZN04 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 75 |
| CHICGOZN10 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 72 |
| CHICGOZN06 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 56 |
| CHICGOZN08 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 45 |
| CHICGOZN05 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 41 |
| CHICGOZN09 | Chicago | spans 2 counties | 26 |
Plus 1 smaller exchange areas.
Source: NANPA CO codes of Oct 23, 2026; places: U.S. Census Bureau, matched by DialWhere (how).
Is 773 running out of numbers?
Previous forecast (October 2025): 2031, moved later by 15 years.
Forecast exhaust year by edition
Source: NANPA NRUF forecast, April 2026 edition.
Who holds 773 prefixes
The five largest of 23 original holders
As listed by NANPA, not today’s carrier.
| Holder (as listed) | Prefixes | |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Bell Tel Co. | 257 32% | |
| T-Mobile USA, Inc. | 169 21% | |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC | 84 10% | |
| Verizon Wireless | 59 7% | |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services LLC | 46 6% |
Source: NANPA CO codes of Oct 23, 2026.
Questions about area code 773
What area code is 773?
An Illinois area code, in service since October 12, 1996.
Where is 773 area code, and what time zone is it in?
Chicago, IL; Central Time.
Why am I getting spam calls from 773?
494 FTC complaints from Sep 23 – Oct 22, 2026, most often about impostors (not verified by the FTC; caller ID can be spoofed).
Will 773 get a new area code?
NANPA forecasts exhaust in 4Q 2046; no relief planning listed.