Utah has 3 active area codes serving its diverse communities across the entire state in the Mountain Time Zone. All three codes operate within a unique geographic structure, with 801 and 385 forming an overlay complex for the Wasatch Front region, while 435 covers the remainder of the state. Whether you need to identify an incoming call, plan business communications across regions, or schedule meetings with proper time zone awareness, this guide provides complete and current information about every Utah area code.
Key Takeaways:
- Utah uses exactly 3 area codes: 801 (original, 1947), 385 (overlay, 2009), and 435 (split, 1997)
- The entire state operates in the Mountain Time Zone (MST/MDT), UTC-7 standard, UTC-6 daylight
- 801 and 385 serve identical geographic areas covering Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden (overlay complex)
- 435 serves all other Utah regions including St. George, Logan, Park City, and Moab
- All areas require 10-digit dialing for local calls due to the overlay configuration
All 3 Utah Area Codes
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 385 | Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden | Mountain (MST/MDT) | Overlay | 2009 |
| 435 | St. George, Logan, Moab, Park City | Mountain (MST/MDT) | Split | 1997 |
| 801 | Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden | Mountain (MST/MDT) | Original | 1947 |
Area Code 801: Original Wasatch Front Code
Area code 801 was established in 1947 as one of the original 86 North American area codes. It initially covered the entire state of Utah until growing demand necessitated changes. The code holds historical importance as Utah’s first telecommunications identifier.
Geographic Coverage
Today, 801 serves five counties in north-central Utah: Salt Lake, Davis, Morgan, Utah, and Weber. Major cities include Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, West Jordan, Orem, Sandy, Ogden, and Lehi. This region represents Utah’s most densely populated corridor along the Wasatch Front.
Current Usage
Approximately 2.1 million residents use 801, making it the most populated area code in Utah. The code shares its exact geographic territory with 385 in an overlay configuration, meaning new phone numbers can be assigned either code regardless of location within the service area.
Area Code 385: Wasatch Front Overlay
Area code 385 was introduced on March 30, 2009, as Utah’s first overlay area code. Rather than splitting the Wasatch Front into separate geographic regions, telecommunications authorities chose an overlay to minimize disruption for existing 801 customers while providing additional numbering capacity.
Coverage and Cities
The 385 area code covers the identical geographic footprint as 801, serving the same five counties and major metropolitan areas. Residents in Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, and surrounding communities can receive phone numbers with either 801 or 385 prefixes.
Why the Overlay Was Needed
By the late 2000s, the explosive growth of mobile phones, pagers, and fax machines exhausted available 801 numbers. The overlay solution preserved existing 801 numbers while doubling the numbering capacity for Utah’s economic and population center.
Area Code 435: Rural and Regional Utah
Area code 435 was created on September 21, 1997, through a geographic split from 801. It encompasses 24 counties covering southern, eastern, northern, and western Utah, essentially surrounding the 801/385 overlay area in a doughnut configuration.
Major Cities and Communities
Key population centers include St. George (southwestern Utah), Logan (Cache Valley), Cedar City (Iron County), Moab (gateway to national parks), Park City (ski resort area), Tooele (west of Salt Lake), and numerous smaller towns throughout rural Utah.
Regional Characteristics
Despite covering the vast majority of Utah’s land area, 435 serves only about 790,000 residents, making it one of the nation’s least densely populated area codes. The region encompasses diverse landscapes from red rock deserts to mountain valleys.
Understanding Time Zones in Utah
The entire state of Utah operates in the Mountain Time Zone year-round. Unlike some western states, Utah has no regions using Pacific Time, and unlike Arizona, all of Utah observes Daylight Saving Time without exception.
UTC Offset and DST
Utah follows Mountain Standard Time (MST) at UTC-7 during winter months, typically from early November through mid-March. During Daylight Saving Time (MDT), clocks shift forward one hour to UTC-6, running from mid-March through early November.
Scheduling Across Time Zones
When scheduling calls to Utah from other time zones, remember Mountain Time sits between Pacific and Central times. Utah is 1 hour ahead of California and 2 hours behind New York. For international scheduling, Salt Lake City shares the same offset as Denver, Colorado.
Utah Cities and Their Area Codes
Here are the major Utah cities with their corresponding area codes, listed by population:
- Salt Lake City: 801, 385 (Capital, population ~200,000)
- West Valley City: 801, 385 (Largest suburb, ~140,000)
- Provo: 801, 385 (University town, ~115,000)
- West Jordan: 801, 385 (Southwestern suburb, ~115,000)
- Orem: 801, 385 (North of Provo, ~98,000)
- Sandy: 801, 385 (Southern suburb, ~96,000)
- Ogden: 801, 385 (Northern city, ~87,000)
- St. George: 435 (Southwestern Utah, ~95,000)
- Layton: 801, 385 (Davis County, ~81,000)
- South Jordan: 801, 385 (Growing suburb, ~77,000)
- Lehi: 801, 385 (Tech hub, ~75,000)
- Logan: 435 (Cache Valley, ~52,000)
- Taylorsville: 801, 385 (Mid-valley, ~60,000)
- Park City: 435 (Mountain resort, ~8,500)
- Moab: 435 (Tourism center, ~5,300)
How to Use Area Codes in Utah
Local Calling Requirements
All Utah residents must use 10-digit dialing for local calls, even within the same area code. This requirement applies statewide due to the 801/385 overlay. To place a local call, dial the full 10-digit number (area code + seven-digit number) without the “1” prefix.
Calling from Outside Utah
When calling Utah from another state, dial 1 (the long-distance prefix) followed by the area code and seven-digit local number. For example, to reach a Salt Lake City number, dial 1-801-555-1234 or 1-385-555-1234.
International Dialing Format
International callers should dial their country’s exit code (often 00 or 011), then the United States country code (1), followed by the Utah area code and local number. From the UK, this would appear as 00-1-801-555-1234.
Mobile and Landline Considerations
Mobile phones registered in Utah can retain their area code even if the owner moves to different cities or states. This means a 435 number does not necessarily indicate the caller’s current location, only where the number was originally assigned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the newest area code in Utah?
Area code 385 is the most recent addition to Utah’s numbering system. It was activated on March 30, 2009, as an overlay to area code 801. No new Utah area codes have been announced since 2009, and current projections suggest the existing three codes will serve the state’s needs for the foreseeable future.
Why do Salt Lake City and Provo share the same area codes?
Both cities fall within the Wasatch Front metropolitan corridor, which comprises five counties served by the 801/385 overlay complex. Rather than splitting this economically integrated region into separate area codes, telecommunications authorities maintained unified coverage to preserve local calling patterns and minimize business disruption.
Is area code 435 only for rural areas?
While 435 covers extensive rural territory, it also serves significant population centers. St. George, Utah’s fourth-largest city with approximately 95,000 residents, uses area code 435, as does Logan (52,000 residents). The code encompasses both small towns and growing regional hubs throughout non-Wasatch Front Utah.
Will Utah get more area codes in the future?
Current projections from the Utah Public Service Commission suggest no immediate need for additional area codes. The 435 region has abundant available numbers due to its lower population density. The 801/385 overlay has sufficient capacity to serve the Wasatch Front for many years, though long-term growth may eventually require consideration of additional codes.
Additional Resources
For official telecommunications information and area code updates:
- North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) – Official area code database and maps
- Utah Public Service Commission – State telecommunications regulatory authority
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – National telecommunications policy and regulations
For more information about specific cities and their area codes, explore our detailed city guides and neighboring state area code pages.