Quick answer: The 248 area code covers Oakland County, Michigan — the northern and western suburbs of metro Detroit, including Troy, Pontiac, Southfield, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Novi, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Birmingham, and Bloomfield Hills. It does not cover the city of Detroit. The 248 was created in 1997 when it split from 810, then joined by the 947 overlay in 2002 on the exact same map — which is why every local call now needs 10 digits. The region runs on Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer).
248 Area Code: A Guide to Oakland County, Michigan
Dial a number in suburban Detroit and there is a good chance it starts with 248. This is the calling code for Oakland County, one of the wealthiest and most populous counties in Michigan.
Whether you are checking where a call came from, setting up a business line, or just curious, this guide gives you the verified facts: where the code reaches, its time zone, the dialing rules, and what the 947 overlay means for you.
Where the 248 area code is located
The 248 covers the northern and western suburbs of metro Detroit. Its footprint is centered on Oakland County, with small spillover into neighboring areas.
It does not cover the city of Detroit itself. That core sits under separate codes (313, 586).
The counties it reaches
Oakland County is the primary service area, and coverage edges touch parts of Wayne County and Genesee County along the borders. Oakland County alone holds well over a million residents, which makes it one of Michigan's economic anchors.
Time zone
The region runs on Eastern Time — UTC-5 in winter and UTC-4 once daylight saving begins. Local callers here share the clock with New York and Atlanta.
If you serve the West Coast, remember the three-hour gap: a 9 a.m. call in Michigan reaches Los Angeles at 6 a.m.
Cities in the 248 area code
Roughly 37 communities fall within the calling region, spanning dense inner-ring suburbs and quieter outer townships. The best-known include:
- Pontiac — the Oakland County seat.
- Troy — a major retail and corporate hub.
- Southfield — a large office and business district.
- Farmington Hills — one of the biggest residential suburbs.
- Royal Oak — a walkable downtown near the Detroit Zoo.
- Novi, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Birmingham, and Bloomfield Hills — a mix of shopping centers, auto-industry sites, and affluent communities.
Smaller communities such as Ferndale, Berkley, Madison Heights, Walled Lake, Milford, and Clarkston round out the map.
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A short history of the 248
The 248 is not an original area code. It was created in 1997, split off from 810 to handle Oakland County's fast growth.
That relief did not last long. By 2002, demand for new lines had climbed again, and regulators needed to add capacity to the same region.
The 947 overlay explained
Rather than split the area a second time, regulators introduced 947 as an overlay in 2002. An overlay is a second calling code layered onto the exact same geography.
Both codes cover identical territory. A 947 number and a 248 number can sit on the same street. The overlay kept every existing number intact, but it brought one rule with it.
Ten-digit dialing
Because two codes share one region, seven-digit dialing no longer works. Every local call needs the full area code plus the seven-digit number. From outside the US, the format is +1-248-XXX-XXXX.
Newer lines in the area are often assigned a 947 prefix, so an established 248 number still signals a long-standing local presence — one reason many businesses prefer it.
How to dial a 248 number
The format depends on where you're calling from. The three patterns:
| Calling from | What to dial |
|---|---|
| Inside the 248/947 area | 248 XXX XXXX (full 10 digits, no 1) |
| Elsewhere in the US/Canada | 1 + 248 XXX XXXX |
| Outside North America | Exit code + 1 + 248 XXX XXXX |
International callers replace "exit code" with their own (00 from most of Europe, 011 from the US, 0011 from Australia). The country code for the US is always 1.
Is a call from 248 a scam?
The code itself is completely legitimate. It serves more than a million residents and thousands of registered businesses.
That said, scammers spoof local codes because people answer familiar numbers more often. Watch for recorded threats about your Social Security number, fake warrant warnings, and "auto warranty expiring" robocalls. A genuine government office never demands gift cards or instant payment over the phone.
If a call feels off, let it go to voicemail. If a caller claims to be an agency, hang up and dial the official number yourself. Report persistent scam calls to the FTC.
Why a 248 number still matters for business
A familiar code builds instant trust. Customers in Troy or Southfield are more likely to answer a number that looks like a neighbor's, and a local line signals commitment to the regional market even if your team works remotely.
You do not need a physical office to get one. A virtual number gives you an Oakland County presence with no lease and no hardware. Calls route to any device — a desk phone, a mobile, or a laptop.
My Country Mobile provisions 248 numbers this way, with call forwarding, voicemail, and routing included, and most lines go live the same day.
The bottom line
The 248 covers a stable, high-value market across Oakland County's busiest suburbs. Knowing its 947 overlay and ten-digit dialing rule helps you read incoming calls and plan your own outreach.
If you want a local number for the area, choose a reputable provider, point the line at your team, and let the area code do the introductions.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the 248 area code located?
It covers Oakland County, Michigan — the northern and western suburbs of metro Detroit — including Troy, Pontiac, Southfield, and Royal Oak. It does not cover the city of Detroit.
What cities are in the 248 area code?
Roughly 37 communities, including Troy, Southfield, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Novi, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, and Pontiac.
What is the 947 overlay?
The 947 is a second code added in 2002 that covers the same area as the 248. Because two codes share the territory, all local calls require ten-digit dialing.
What time zone does the 248 area code use?
Eastern Time. It observes daylight saving, shifting between UTC-5 in winter and UTC-4 in summer.
Is a call from a 248 number a scam?
The code is legitimate, but scammers often spoof it. Be cautious of robocalls demanding payment or threatening arrest, and verify any agency claim independently.
Can I get a 248 number without living in Michigan?
Yes. A virtual number gives you a local Oakland County line that forwards calls to any device, with no Michigan address required.
Get a 248 number for your business
An Oakland County presence used to mean leasing in Troy or Southfield. Now it's a few-minute signup — and 248 still carries 29 years of suburban-Detroit credibility.
My Country Mobile offers 248 virtual numbers with call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, SMS, and AI call transcription. Calls route to any device worldwide, and over 17,500 businesses already trust MCM with their virtual phone presence.
