773 area code: Chicago, time zone and cities

Area code 773 covers the city of Chicago outside downtown, the Loop and the innermost neighborhoods, which use 312. It was split from 312 in 1996.

Quick facts

Location: Chicago, Illinois (outside downtown)
State: Illinois
Time zone: Central Time
Overlay: Yes. 773 shares its area with 872.
In service since: 1996

Cities and places in area code 773

Chicago (outside downtown)

Area codes that share or border 773

Same area (overlay)

Area code 872 overlays both 773 and 312.

Nearby

219 IN
224 IL
312 IL
464 IL
708 IL
847 IL

All area code pages

Is a call from 773 a scam?

The area code alone says nothing about the caller. It shows where the number was set up. It does not show who is calling or where they are. The FTC says scammers can make any name or number show up on caller ID. This is called spoofing, and it can make a call look local when it comes from anywhere in the world.

Signs of a phone scam, from the FTC:

The caller says you won a prize, but you have to pay to get it.
The caller says you will be arrested or fined unless you pay right away. Real law enforcement and federal agencies do not call and threaten you.
The caller insists you pay by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
The caller says they are from a government agency and asks for your Social Security number.

What to do:

If you get a robocall, hang up. Do not press any number, which could lead to more robocalls.
Ask your phone carrier what call blocking it offers.
Report unwanted calls at DoNotCall.gov. If you lost money, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How to get a 773 phone number

For an AI agent or a business

Our API lines are real T-Mobile mobile numbers for texts, or for texts and calls over SIP, rented by the month. Add "area_code": "773" to an order to ask for 773 numbers.

The area code is a request and is not guaranteed. Numbers come from our stock and from the carrier, so some can have another area code. If the carrier cannot fill the request within about an hour, we send numbers from other area codes.

Numbers for AI agents and businesses

For your own phone

Our T-Mobile Talk & Text line asks where your number should come from at checkout. Pick Chicago, IL and we ask the carrier for a number there. You can also give your own US address, and we ask for a number local to its ZIP code. The carrier picks the area code, so a 773 number is not guaranteed.

Our Unlimited line has no area code choice.

See our phone lines

Questions about area code 773

Where is area code 773?

Area code 773 covers the city of Chicago outside downtown, the Loop and the innermost neighborhoods, which use 312. It was split from 312 in 1996.

What time zone is area code 773 in?

Central Time.

Which area codes share 773's area?

872. Area code 872 overlays both 773 and 312.

When did area code 773 start?

NANPA lists 773 as in service since 1996.

Is a call from area code 773 a scam?

The area code alone does not make a call a scam. It shows where the number was set up. The FTC says scammers can make any number show up on caller ID. If you get a robocall, hang up without pressing any number, and report unwanted calls at DoNotCall.gov.

How can I get a phone number with area code 773?

For your phone, our T-Mobile Talk & Text line asks for a city at checkout: pick Chicago, IL and we ask the carrier for a number there. For an AI agent or a business, add "area_code": "773" to an API order. Either way the area code is a request and is not guaranteed.

Sources: NANPA area code database, file of November 3, 2026 (state, time zone, overlays, year in service); Wikipedia, "Area code 773", revision of June 26, 2026 (area, places and neighbors); FTC, "Phone Scams" and "How To Block Unwanted Calls" (call advice). Checked November 3, 2026.