Area code 518 serves eastern upstate New York, including Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and the Adirondacks. Established in 1947 as one of the original area codes, it was overlaid by area code 838 in 2017, introducing ten-digit dialing. The region includes the state capital and is central to New York’s political, historical, and recreational life. From government to tourism and higher education, 518 spans a diverse range of industries. It remains one of New York’s most recognizable area codes, symbolizing the unique blend of natural beauty, cultural depth, and public influence found in the Capital Region.