What Are The Area Codes For Arizona
Arizona currently has five active area codes serving the entire state: 602, 480, 520, 623, and 928. If you’re in the Phoenix metropolitan area, you’ll encounter three of these numbers (602, 480, and 623), which underwent a significant change in 2023 when they merged into an overlay system. This means all three now cover the same geographic area, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory statewide.
Whether you’re a new resident, visitor, or business owner, understanding Arizona’s telephone codes helps you navigate local calling and choose the right phone number for your needs.
Quick Reference: All 5 Arizona Area Codes
| Area Code | Region | Major Cities | Year Created |
|---|---|---|---|
| 602 | Central Phoenix | Phoenix, Glendale | 1947 (Original) |
| 480 | East Phoenix Metro | Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler | 1999 |
| 520 | Southern Arizona | Tucson, Casa Grande, Sierra Vista | 1995 |
| 623 | West Phoenix Metro | Peoria, Surprise, Glendale, Goodyear | 1999 |
| 928 | Northern & Western AZ | Flagstaff, Yuma, Prescott, Kingman | 2001 |
Arizona’s telephone prefixes reflect the state’s tremendous population growth over the past decades. The original 602 served the entire state from 1947 until 1995, when increasing demand for phone numbers necessitated the first split. Today, each prefix serves distinct geographic regions, with the Phoenix metropolitan area uniquely utilizing three overlapping numbers.
Understanding Phoenix's Three Area Codes (602, 480, 623)
Phoenix is one of the few metropolitan areas in the United States with three telephone prefixes covering the same geographic region. Originally, these numbers were divided by location: 602 served central Phoenix, 480 covered the East Valley, and 623 was assigned to the West Valley. However, in September 2023, the Arizona Corporation Commission implemented a boundary elimination overlay, meaning all three now serve the entire Phoenix metro.
What does this mean for you? If you’re getting a new phone number in Phoenix, you could receive any of these three prefixes regardless of where you live in the valley. The boundary elimination solved the problem of number exhaustion in the 480 and 602 areas while maximizing the available phone numbers in 623. This change also made 10-digit dialing mandatory throughout the Phoenix metro, a requirement that already existed in other parts of Arizona.
Find Your City's Area Code
Area Code 602 Cities: Phoenix (central), parts of Glendale, Paradise Valley, and small portions of Tempe. As Arizona’s original telephone prefix, 602 is often considered the most prestigious for businesses seeking to establish local credibility.
Area Code 480 Cities: Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Fountain Hills, Queen Creek, and Sun Lakes. This prefix primarily serves the East Valley communities, known for their rapid growth and development.
Area Code 520 Cities: Tucson, Casa Grande, Oro Valley, Marana, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Catalina Foothills, Green Valley, and Sahuarita. The 520 prefix covers most of southern Arizona, including the state’s second-largest city.
Area Code 623 Cities: Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Sun City, Anthem, El Mirage, and Litchfield Park. This number serves the rapidly expanding West Valley region, which has seen significant residential and commercial development.
Area Code 928 Cities: Flagstaff, Yuma, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Payson, Show Low, and Sedona. Covering the largest geographic area, 928 serves northern and western Arizona, including popular tourist destinations and retirement communities.
Do I Need to Dial the Area Code in Arizona?
Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory throughout Arizona. You must dial the three-digit prefix plus the seven-digit phone number for all calls, even local ones. This requirement went into effect statewide following the 2023 Phoenix metro overlay implementation, though it had already been in place for several Arizona regions.
The change was necessary to accommodate the nationwide 988 suicide prevention hotline. By requiring 10-digit dialing, the telecommunications system can distinguish between local numbers starting with 988 and the three-digit emergency hotline. This applies to all phone types, including landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services.
The good news for Phoenix metro residents is that calls between 602, 480, and 623 remain local calls with no long-distance charges, despite having different prefixes. Make sure to update any auto-dialers, speed dial entries, and contact lists with full 10-digit numbers to avoid connection issues.
Getting a New Arizona Phone Number
When you sign up for phone service in Arizona, the prefix you receive depends on your service provider and current number availability. In the Phoenix metropolitan area, you could be assigned any of the three numbers (602, 480, or 623) since they all now cover the same territory.
For businesses, the choice of prefix can impact customer perception and response rates. Many local businesses prefer 602 because it’s the original Phoenix number and signals an established local presence. Studies show that customers are more likely to answer calls from local prefixes, with response rates improving by up to 30% compared to out-of-state numbers.
If you’re moving to Arizona from another state, you can typically keep your existing phone number, though getting a local prefix helps establish community connections and may be beneficial for job searches and local networking. Virtual phone services and VoIP providers often allow you to choose your preferred Arizona prefix, giving you flexibility based on your specific needs.
Brief History: How Arizona Got 5 Area Codes
Arizona’s telephone numbering evolution reflects the state’s remarkable growth. In 1947, when AT&T established the North American Numbering Plan, Arizona received 602 as one of the original 86 prefixes. This single number served the entire state for 48 years.
By 1995, Arizona’s booming population necessitated the first split, creating 520 for all regions outside metropolitan Phoenix. Just four years later, in 1999, Phoenix itself required division, spawning 480 for the East Valley and 623 for the West Valley, while 602 remained with central Phoenix.
In 2001, continued growth in northern and western Arizona led to the creation of 928, separating these regions from 520. Most recently in 2023, the Phoenix metro prefixes merged into an overlay system to maximize number availability without requiring a new code. Each change was driven by the combination of population growth, new telecommunications technologies, and increasing demand for phone numbers from mobile devices and internet services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What area code is Phoenix, Arizona?
Phoenix uses three prefixes: 602, 480, and 623. Since September 2023, all three have covered the entire Phoenix metropolitan area thanks to the boundary elimination overlay.
Q: Is 480 a Phoenix number?
Yes, 480 is one of Phoenix metro’s three telephone codes. It was originally assigned specifically to the East Valley (Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler), but now serves the entire metropolitan area.
Q: Are calls between different Arizona area codes free?
Within the Phoenix metro area, calls between 602, 480, and 623 are always local calls with no long-distance charges. For other prefix combinations (like calling from Phoenix to Tucson), charges depend on your specific phone plan and carrier.
Q: Can I keep my 602 area code if I move?
Yes, you can keep your existing Arizona phone number and prefix indefinitely, even if you move to a different part of the state. Number portability rules allow you to maintain your number when switching carriers as well.
Quick Tips for Arizona Residents and Visitors
Always dial 10 digits (the three-digit prefix plus the seven-digit number) for every call in Arizona, even local ones. Save all contacts in your phone with their full prefixes to prevent dialing errors and failed connections.
If you receive a call from an unfamiliar Arizona prefix, it’s likely a legitimate in-state call rather than spam, though you should still exercise normal caution. For businesses operating in Arizona, using a local telephone code significantly improves customer answer rates and establishes local credibility.
New residents should consider getting a local Arizona number to help establish community presence, make local connections easier, and avoid confusion about long-distance charges. Remember that in the Phoenix metro area, telephone prefixes no longer indicate a caller’s specific location since the 2023 overlay implementation combined all three across the entire valley.