Indiana has 8 active area codes serving cities and communities across two time zones. Most of the state follows Eastern Time, while 12 counties in the northwest and southwest corners use Central Time. Whether you’re identifying an unknown caller, planning business communications, or scheduling calls across regions, this guide provides complete and current information about every Indiana area code.
⚠️ UPCOMING CHANGE: The 765 area code is projected to need relief by 2029. Planning for a new overlay or split will begin in 2026.
Quick Reference: Indiana Area Codes
| Area Code | Primary Cities | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 219 | Hammond, Gary, Merrillville | Central (CST/CDT) | Original | 1947 |
| 260 | Fort Wayne, Auburn, Angola | Eastern (EST/EDT) | Split | 2002 |
| 317 | Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers | Eastern (EST/EDT) | Original | 1947 |
| 463 | Indianapolis metro area | Eastern (EST/EDT) | Overlay | 2016 |
| 574 | South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka | Eastern (EST/EDT) | Split | 2002 |
| 765 | Lafayette, Muncie, Anderson | Eastern (EST/EDT) | Split | 1997 |
| 812 | Evansville, Bloomington, Columbus | Eastern (EST/EDT) | Original | 1947 |
| 930 | Southern Indiana | Eastern (EST/EDT) | Overlay | 2015 |
Detailed Area Code Information
219 Area Code
Coverage: Northwest Indiana including Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, and Starke counties
Major Cities: Hammond, Gary, Merrillville, Valparaiso, Portage, Crown Point, Schererville
Time Zone: Central Time (UTC-6 in winter, UTC-5 in summer)
History: One of Indiana’s original area codes established in 1947, serving northern Indiana. The 219 area code was split in 2002 when 574 and 260 were created to serve growing telecommunications needs. In 2021, 219 transitioned to mandatory 10-digit dialing to accommodate the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Dialing Requirements: 10-digit dialing required (area code + 7-digit number) for all calls, including local calls
Population Served: Approximately 800,000 residents in the northwest Indiana region near Chicago
Projected Exhaust Date: 2041
260 Area Code
Coverage: Northeast Indiana, including Allen, DeKalb, Adams, Huntington, Wells, Whitley, Noble, Steuben, and Wabash counties
Major Cities: Fort Wayne, Auburn, Angola, Huntington, Bluffton, Decatur, New Haven
Time Zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5 in winter, UTC-4 in summer)
History: Created on June 20, 2002, as a geographic split from area code 219. Fort Wayne and surrounding northeast Indiana received the new 260 code while the northwest corner retained 219. This was part of Indiana’s expansion from three to eight area codes.
Dialing Requirements: 7-digit dialing allowed for local calls
Population Served: Approximately 450,000 residents, with Fort Wayne as the largest city
Projected Exhaust Date: 2053
317 & 463 Area Codes
Coverage: Indianapolis metropolitan area, including Marion, Hamilton, Boone, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Morgan, and Shelby counties
Major Cities: Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Avon, Westfield, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Greenfield
Time Zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5 in winter, UTC-4 in summer)
History: Area code 317 is one of Indiana’s original codes from 1947, initially covering the northern two-thirds of the state. Through splits in 1996 and 2002, it eventually served just the Indianapolis metro area. In 2016, overlay code 463 was added when 317 approached capacity. The 317/463 region is not expected to need additional changes until 2047.
Dialing Requirements: 10-digit dialing required for all calls
Population Served: Approximately 1.5 million residents in Indiana’s capital region
Projected Exhaust Date: 2047 (with overlay in place)
574 Area Code
Coverage: North-central Indiana, including St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Kosciusko, Fulton, Pulaski, White, Cass, and Carroll counties
Major Cities: South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Goshen, Plymouth, Logansport, Warsaw
Time Zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5 in winter, UTC-4 in summer)
History: Created on January 15, 2002, as a geographic split from 219. The South Bend and Elkhart area received 574, while northwestern Indiana near Chicago received 219. In 2021, 574 implemented mandatory 10-digit dialing for the 988 lifeline.
Dialing Requirements: 10-digit dialing required for all calls
Population Served: Approximately 600,000 residents in north-central Indiana
Projected Exhaust Date: 2078
765 Area Code
Coverage: Central Indiana outside Indianapolis, spanning 20 counties, including Tippecanoe, Delaware, Madison, Wayne, Howard, and Grant counties
Major Cities: Lafayette, Muncie, Anderson, Kokomo, Richmond, Marion, Frankfort, Crawfordsville, New Castle
Time Zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5 in winter, UTC-4 in summer)
History: Created on February 1, 1997, as Indiana’s first new area code in 49 years. It was split from 317 to serve central Indiana outside the Indianapolis metro area. Number conservation efforts have extended its lifespan, but relief will be needed by 2029.
Dialing Requirements: 7-digit dialing allowed for local calls (one of the few Indiana codes still permitting this)
Population Served: Approximately 900,000 residents across central Indiana
Projected Exhaust Date: Third quarter 2029 (relief planning expected to begin in 2026)
812 & 930 Area Codes
Coverage: Southern and south-central Indiana, including Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, Posey, Spencer, Perry, Monroe, Brown, Jackson, and Clark counties
Major Cities: Evansville, Bloomington, Columbus, Bedford, Seymour, New Albany, Vincennes, Jeffersonville, Clarksville
Time Zone: Eastern Time for most areas (note: Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Spencer, Gibson, and Perry counties use Central Time)
History: Area code 812 is one of Indiana’s original codes from 1947, initially covering all of southern Indiana. Early projections suggested it would exhaust by 2004, but number pooling conservation extended its life. In 2015, overlay code 930 was implemented. The 812/930 region won’t need additional changes until 2058.
Dialing Requirements: 10-digit dialing required for all calls
Population Served: Approximately 1.3 million residents across southern Indiana
Projected Exhaust Date: 2058 (with overlay in place)
Understanding Time Zones in Indiana
Indiana’s time zone situation is unique and has a complex history. The state spans two time zones, with most residents following Eastern Time.
Eastern Time Zone (80 of 92 counties):
- Standard Time: UTC-5 (November to March)
- Daylight Time: UTC-4 (March to November)
- Includes Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Bloomington, and most major cities
Central Time Zone (12 counties):
- Standard Time: UTC-6 (November to March)
- Daylight Time: UTC-5 (March to November)
- Northwest Indiana: Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke
- Southwest Indiana: Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, Perry
Since 2006, all Indiana counties have observed Daylight Saving Time. Before this, most of Indiana did not change clocks, creating considerable confusion. The current system provides consistency for business and communications.
Indiana's Largest Cities by Area Code
| City | Population | Area Code(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | 880,000+ | 317, 463 |
| Fort Wayne | 270,000+ | 260 |
| Evansville | 120,000+ | 812, 930 |
| South Bend | 103,000+ | 574 |
| Carmel | 100,000+ | 317, 463 |
| Fishers | 98,000+ | 317, 463 |
| Bloomington | 85,000+ | 812, 930 |
| Hammond | 77,000+ | 219 |
| Gary | 70,000+ | 219 |
| Lafayette | 72,000+ | 765 |
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Indiana
For Local Calls Within the Same Area Code:
- If 10-digit dialing required: Area code + 7-digit number
- If 7-digit dialing allowed: Just the 7-digit number
Current 10-Digit Dialing Requirements:
- 219 (required since 2021)
- 317/463 (required since 2016)
- 574 (required since 2021)
- 812/930 (required since 2015)
7-Digit Dialing Still Allowed:
- 260
- 765 (will change when relief is implemented)
Calling Indiana from Other States: 1 + Area Code + 7-digit number
Calling Indiana from Outside the US: +1 + Area Code + 7-digit number
Frequently Asked Questions
How many area codes does Indiana have?
Indiana currently has 8 active area codes: 219, 260, 317, 463, 574, 765, 812, and 930. The state started with just three area codes in 1947 (219, 317, and 812) but added five more between 1997 and 2016 due to population growth and increased demand for phone numbers.
What time zone is Indiana in?
Indiana uses two time zones. Most of the state (80 of 92 counties) follows Eastern Time, including major cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend. Twelve counties in the northwest and southwest corners use Central Time, including areas around Gary, Hammond, and Evansville. All counties observe Daylight Saving Time.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in Indiana?
It depends on which area code you’re calling from. You must use 10-digit dialing (area code + number) in areas with overlays: 219, 317/463, 574, and 812/930. You can still use 7-digit dialing for local calls in areas 260 and 765, though this will change for 765 when relief is implemented around 2029.
What is the oldest area code in Indiana?
Three area codes tie for oldest in Indiana, all established in 1947 when the North American Numbering Plan began: 219 (originally northern Indiana), 317 (originally central and northern Indiana), and 812 (originally southern Indiana). These were Indiana’s only area codes until 1997.
Are new area codes planned for Indiana?
Yes. The 765 area code serving central Indiana cities like Lafayette, Muncie, and Anderson is projected to be exhausted by the third quarter of 2029. Planning for area code relief (likely a new overlay) will begin in 2026, three years before the projected exhaustion date as required by telecommunications regulations.
Why does Indiana have such a complicated time zone history?
Indiana’s location near the boundary between Eastern and Central time zones created decades of debate. Communities near Chicago wanted Central Time to align with Illinois business hours, while those near Ohio state and other eastern neighbors wanted Eastern Time. Until 2006, most of Indiana didn’t observe Daylight Saving Time, creating additional confusion. The current system, in place since 2006, provides more consistency.
What's an overlay area code?
An overlay is when a new area code covers the same geographic area as an existing code. For example, 463 overlays 317 in Indianapolis, meaning neighboring businesses might have different area codes. Overlays allow existing customers to keep their numbers but require 10-digit dialing for all calls. Indiana currently has two overlay regions: 317/463 and 812/930.
Why do some Indiana cities have two area codes?
Cities with two codes are in overlay regions. Indianapolis has 317 and 463, while southern Indiana cities like Evansville and Bloomington have 812 and 930. When an area code approaches capacity, regulators can either split the region (different areas get different codes) or overlay it (both codes serve the entire area). Overlays allow businesses and residents to keep existing numbers.
Additional Resources
For official information and updates: