Nevada has 3 active area codes serving its major cities and diverse regions across two time zones. Most of the state follows Pacific Time, while West Wendover uses Mountain Time. Whether you need to identify an unknown caller, plan business communications across Nevada, or schedule calls to Las Vegas or Reno, this guide provides complete and current information about every Nevada area code.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada uses 3 area codes: 702, 725, and 775
- Area codes 702 and 725 overlay the same region (Las Vegas/Clark County) and require 10-digit dialing for all local calls
- Area code 775 serves northern and rural Nevada, including Reno and Carson City
- Most of Nevada is in the Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8), except West Wendover, which observes Mountain Time
- Nevada’s telecommunications are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN)
Nevada Area Codes Reference Table
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 702 | Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas | Pacific (PST/PDT) | Original | 1947 |
| 725 | Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas | Pacific (PST/PDT) | Overlay | 2014 |
| 775 | Reno, Carson City, Elko, Sparks | Pacific (PST/PDT) | Split | 1998 |
Area Code 702: Las Vegas and Clark County
Area code 702 was one of the 86 original North American area codes established by AT&T and the Bell System in October 1947. For over five decades, this single area code served the entire state of Nevada, making it one of the most geographically expansive area codes in the early telephone system.
Geographic Coverage
Today, area code 702 exclusively serves Clark County in southern Nevada. This includes the Las Vegas metropolitan area and surrounding communities. Clark County is Nevada’s most populous county, home to approximately 2.3 million of the state’s 3.1 million residents.
Major Cities and Communities
The primary cities served by area code 702 include Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Laughlin. The area code also covers smaller communities such as Jean, Searchlight, and the entertainment district of the Las Vegas Strip.
Current Usage
Area code 702 remains one of the most recognized area codes in the United States due to Las Vegas’s global prominence. Businesses in the gaming, hospitality, entertainment, and tourism industries predominantly use 702 numbers. Since the implementation of the 725 overlay in 2014, all calls within the region require 10-digit dialing, even for local calls.
Area Code 725: Las Vegas Overlay
Area code 725 was introduced on June 3, 2014, following approval by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada in November 2012. Unlike a traditional area code split, which divides a region geographically, an overlay assigns a new area code to the same geographic area as an existing code.
Coverage and Cities
Area code 725 covers precisely the same territory as 702, serving all of Clark County, including Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and surrounding areas. This means a business on the Las Vegas Strip might have a 702 number, while the business next door could have a 725 number.
Why the Overlay Was Needed
The rapid population growth and business expansion in Las Vegas throughout the 1990s and 2000s led to the exhaustion of available phone numbers in the 702 area code. The proliferation of mobile phones, fax lines, and internet services further accelerated the depletion. The Public Utilities Commission chose an overlay rather than a split to avoid the disruption of forcing existing 702 customers to change their established phone numbers.
Impact on Dialing
The introduction of 725 made 10-digit dialing mandatory for all calls within Clark County, regardless of whether you’re calling from a 702 number to another 702 number or across area codes. Callers must dial the three-digit area code followed by the seven-digit phone number for every local call. Emergency services (911) and abbreviated codes (211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, 811) remain three-digit dialing.
Area Code 775: Northern and Rural Nevada
Area code 775 was created on December 12, 1998, when Nevada’s telecommunications needs outgrew the capacity of a single area code. This split removed most of the state outside Clark County from 702, establishing 775 as the area code for northern and rural Nevada.
Geographic Coverage
Area code 775 serves approximately 109,000 square miles, covering most of Nevada’s 17 counties. This includes major population centers like Reno and Carson City, as well as vast rural areas in the northern, central, and eastern parts of the state.
Major Cities and Regions
The primary cities using area code 775 include Reno (the state’s third-largest city), Sparks, Carson City (the state capital), Elko, Fallon, Winnemucca, and Fernley. The area code also serves Lake Tahoe communities, including Incline Village and Zephyr Cove.
Economic and Cultural Significance
Area code 775 represents Nevada’s diverse economy beyond Las Vegas tourism. Reno serves as a technology hub with major data centers and distribution facilities. Carson City functions as the governmental center. The region also includes significant mining operations, agriculture, and outdoor recreation industries around Lake Tahoe and the Ruby Mountains.
Understanding Time Zones in Nevada
The vast majority of Nevada operates on Pacific Time, sharing the same time zone as California, Oregon, and Washington. Nevada is the only landlocked state that primarily observes Pacific Time across its territory.
The West Wendover Exception
West Wendover, a small city on Nevada’s eastern border with Utah in Elko County, officially observes Mountain Time rather than Pacific Time. This change was authorized by the U.S. Department of Transportation in October 1999 to align the city’s business hours with neighboring Wendover, Utah, and facilitate commerce across state lines.
UTC Offset and Daylight Saving Time
During standard time (November through March), Pacific Time is UTC-8. During daylight saving time (March through November), the state observes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), which is UTC-7. Nevada fully observes daylight saving time, unlike neighboring Arizona.
Scheduling Across Time Zones
When scheduling calls or meetings with Nevada contacts, remember that Pacific Time is three hours behind Eastern Time, two hours behind Central Time, and one hour behind Mountain Time. The best times to reach Nevada businesses are typically between 9 AM and 5 PM Pacific Time, which corresponds to 12 PM to 8 PM Eastern Time.
Nevada Cities and Their Codes
| City | Area Codes | Time Zone | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 702, 725 | Pacific | Largest city, entertainment capital, population ~650,000 |
| Henderson | 702, 725 | Pacific | Second-largest city, suburban growth center |
| Reno | 775 | Pacific | Third-largest city, “Biggest Little City in the World” |
| North Las Vegas | 702, 725 | Pacific | Fourth-largest city, rapidly growing |
| Sparks | 775 | Pacific | Adjacent to Reno, distribution hub |
| Carson City | 775 | Pacific | State capital, government center |
| Pahrump | 775 | Pacific | Nye County seat, growing retirement community |
| Elko | 775 | Pacific | Mining center, northeastern Nevada |
| Mesquite | 702 | Pacific | Retirement community, border with Arizona |
| Boulder City | 702 | Pacific | Historic Hoover Dam community |
| Fallon | 775 | Pacific | Naval Air Station, agricultural hub |
| Winnemucca | 775 | Pacific | Historic mining town, I-80 corridor |
| Fernley | 775 | Pacific | Industrial development, warehousing |
| West Wendover | 775 | Mountain | Border casino town, Mountain Time |
How to Use Area Codes in Nevada
In the 702/725 region (Las Vegas/Clark County), 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number, even when calling a number with the same area code as yours. In the 775 region, 10-digit dialing is also standard practice, though it became required to accommodate potential future overlays.
Calling from Outside Nevada
To call Nevada from elsewhere in the United States or Canada, dial 1 + area code + seven-digit number. For example, to call a Las Vegas number, dial 1-702-XXX-XXXX or 1-725-XXX-XXXX.
International Dialing Format
When calling Nevada from outside North America, dial your country’s international access code (often 00 or +), followed by 1 (the US country code), then the area code and seven-digit number. For example, from the UK: 00-1-702-XXX-XXXX.
Mobile and Landline Considerations
Nevada area codes apply to both mobile and landline numbers. With number portability, a phone number that originated as a landline can be transferred to a mobile device and vice versa, while retaining its original area code. Many businesses and residents maintain 702 area codes even when using mobile services because of the number’s recognizability and prestige.
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is 702?
Area code 702 serves Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and all of Clark County in southern Nevada. It was one of the original 86 area codes established in 1947 and originally covered the entire state. Today, it shares its geographic coverage with overlay area code 725.
Why does Las Vegas have two area codes?
Las Vegas has two area codes (702 and 725) because of an overlay implemented in 2014. As Las Vegas grew rapidly, the available phone numbers in 702 were being exhausted. Rather than split the region geographically and force some residents to change numbers, regulators chose to overlay 725 over the same area, allowing both codes to coexist in the same territory.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in Nevada?
Yes, in both the 702/725 region and the 775 region, you must dial the area code for all local calls. This is called 10-digit dialing. Even if you’re calling from a 702 number to another 702 number in the same neighborhood, you must dial the full 10 digits. Emergency services (911) remain three digits.
What is the time zone for Nevada area codes?
All three Nevada area codes (702, 725, and 775) primarily operate in the Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8 during standard time, UTC-7 during daylight saving time). The only exception is West Wendover in the 775 area code region, which observes Mountain Time to align with neighboring Utah communities.
Is area code 775 the same as 702?
No, area codes 775 and 702 serve different geographic regions. Area code 702 (along with its overlay 725) serves Las Vegas and Clark County in southern Nevada. Area code 775 serves northern and rural Nevada, including Reno, Carson City, Elko, and Lake Tahoe communities. They are separate area codes for distinct parts of the state.
Summary
Nevada’s three area codes reflect the state’s geographic diversity and population distribution. Area codes 702 and 725 together serve the Las Vegas metropolitan area through an overlay system requiring 10-digit dialing, while area code 775 covers the rest of the state, including Reno, Carson City, and rural communities. Most of Nevada operates on Pacific Time, with the notable exception of West Wendover on Mountain Time.
Understanding these area codes helps with business planning, call scheduling, and identifying the origin of phone calls within the Silver State.