Quick answer: The 571 area code covers Northern Virginia — the populous D.C.-metro suburbs across Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and parts of Fauquier counties, plus the independent cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Manassas. Major cities: Arlington, Alexandria, Reston, Herndon, McLean, Leesburg, Ashburn, Manassas, Woodbridge. It runs on Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer) and is an overlay of 703 — both codes share the exact same map. Because two codes sit on one region, 10-digit dialing is required for every local call. 571 went live on March 1, 2000.
What the 571 area code really covers in Northern Virginia
Got a call from a 571 number and wondered where it came from? You're looking at Northern Virginia — one of the busiest, fastest-growing corners of the East Coast.
Here's the part most lookup sites skip: 571 doesn't have its own territory. It shares every street with another code. That detail changes how dialing works and why the number exists at all.
This guide breaks down exactly which cities and counties 571 reaches, how it pairs with 703, and what to know before you pick up a local Virginia number.
Where the 571 area code is located
The 571 area code serves Northern Virginia, the populous suburban region just outside Washington, D.C. It sits firmly in the Eastern Time Zone (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during Daylight Saving Time).
If a caller's clock matches New York or D.C., they're on 571 time. Simple as that.
Cities inside the coverage zone
The footprint stretches across dozens of communities. The best-known include:
| City / Town | County or Status |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | Independent city |
| Arlington | Arlington County |
| Fairfax | Independent city |
| Reston | Fairfax County |
| Herndon | Fairfax County |
| McLean | Fairfax County |
| Leesburg | Loudoun County |
| Ashburn | Loudoun County |
| Manassas | Independent city |
| Woodbridge | Prince William County |
Vienna, Springfield, Sterling, Centreville, Chantilly, and Falls Church also fall inside the zone.
Counties it touches
The code blankets all of Arlington and Fairfax counties. It also reaches parts of Loudoun, Prince William, and Fauquier counties.
That puts data-center hubs like Ashburn and growing suburbs like South Riding on the same code as long-established towns.
Why 571 exists: the 703 overlay explained
Here's the key fact. The 571 area code is an overlay — it covers the exact same geography as the older 703 code.
When 703 started running low on available numbers in the late 1990s, regulators had two choices: split the region or overlay a second code on top.
Overlay vs. split — and why it matters to you
A split forces half the region to change their numbers. An overlay doesn't. Everyone keeps their existing number, and new lines simply draw from the fresh code.
Virginia chose the overlay. The 571 code went live on March 1, 2000.
The 10-digit dialing rule
Because two codes share one area, you can't dial just seven digits locally. Every call inside the region needs the full 10-digit number — area code included.
This isn't a quirk of 571 specifically. It's standard practice anywhere overlays exist.
If you run a business and want a number that signals "we're local here," a virtual phone number with a 571 prefix does the job without any office lease in Virginia. Setup takes minutes, not weeks.
Ready when you are
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MCM's local numbers ship with verified caller ID and smart call filtering — customers always know it's really you, and spam never reaches your team.
Is the 571 area code a real location or a scam risk?
Both questions come up constantly, so let's be clear. 571 is a legitimate, FCC-assigned geographic code for Northern Virginia. It is not a toll-free or premium-rate code.
That said, scammers do exploit local codes.
How spoofing works
Caller ID spoofing lets a bad actor fake any number they want — including a 571 prefix — to look local and trustworthy. The call may originate anywhere on earth.
Common spoofed-call themes include fake IRS notices, bank "fraud alerts," and tech-support warnings.
Spotting the difference
A genuine local call rarely demands gift cards, wire transfers, or your full Social Security number on the spot. Pressure and urgency are the tells.
When in doubt, hang up and call the organization back using a number from its official website.
Who benefits most from a 571 number
Northern Virginia is dense with government contractors, tech firms, and professional services. A matching local code carries real weight here.
Businesses targeting the D.C. metro
Customers answer local numbers more often than unfamiliar ones. For a company chasing clients in Arlington or Tysons, a 571 line reads as "neighbor," not "telemarketer."
You don't need a physical address in the region to use one.
Remote teams and relocating companies
Moved your team out of Virginia but want to keep serving clients there? A cloud-based 571 number keeps that local identity intact.
Calls forward to any device, anywhere — desk phone, mobile, or laptop.
How to get a 571 phone number
Claiming a Northern Virginia number is faster than most people expect. No paperwork, no carrier visit.
The short version
- Choose a VoIP or virtual number provider that stocks Virginia inventory.
- Search available 571 numbers and pick one you like.
- Create an account and select a plan.
- Point the number at your phones, app, or call-routing rules.
Most providers — My Country Mobile (MCM) included — have you live the same day.
What to look for in a provider
Check three things: real 571 inventory in stock, transparent per-month pricing, and routing features you'll actually use (forwarding, voicemail, IVR).
MCM runs on a network spanning 190+ countries with 99.99% uptime, so a Virginia number behaves the same whether your team sits in Reston or overseas.
The bottom line on area code 571
Strip away the noise and it's straightforward: 571 is the overlay partner to 703, covering all of Northern Virginia, on Eastern Time, requiring 10-digit dialing.
For a business, the practical move is deciding whether a local Virginia presence is worth having. In a region this competitive, it usually is.
Ready to claim one? Browse live 571 numbers at mycountrymobile.com — pick your number, route it in minutes, no long-term contract required.
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Frequently asked questions about the 571 area code
Where is the 571 area code located?
It covers Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Reston, Herndon, Leesburg, Ashburn, Manassas, and Woodbridge. The region sits in the Eastern Time Zone.
Is 571 the same area as 703?
Yes. 571 is an overlay that shares the identical geographic footprint as 703. New numbers in the region draw from 571, while existing 703 numbers stay unchanged.
Why do I have to dial 10 digits for local 571 calls?
Because two codes (571 and 703) cover one region, seven digits aren't enough to identify a number uniquely.
Ten-digit dialing — area code plus number — is required for every local call.
Are calls from a 571 number ever scams?
The code itself is legitimate, but scammers can spoof it to appear local. Be cautious with unsolicited calls demanding payment, gift cards, or personal data, and verify the caller independently.
Can I get a 571 number without living in Virginia?
Yes. Virtual and VoIP providers let you register a 571 number from anywhere and route calls to any device. It gives you a Northern Virginia presence with no local office needed.
How much does a 571 virtual number cost?
Pricing varies by provider and plan, but virtual numbers typically run a low monthly fee far below traditional landline service. Compare inventory and routing features before choosing.
How long does it take to activate a 571 number?
With most cloud providers, activation is same-day. After you pick a number and set up your account, you can start taking calls within minutes.
Get a 571 number for your business
A Northern Virginia presence used to mean leasing space in Tysons or Reston. Now it's a few-minute signup.
My Country Mobile offers 571 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.
