Mississippi has 4 active area codes serving communities across the state, with a 5th code (471) launching January 30, 2026. The entire state operates in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT). Whether you need to identify an unknown caller, plan business communications across regions, or schedule calls at the right time, this guide provides current and comprehensive information about every Mississippi area code.
Quick Reference: Mississippi Area Codes
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 228 | Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula | Central (CST/CDT) | Split | 1997 |
| 471 | Northern Mississippi (Coming Soon) | Central (CST/CDT) | Overlay | 2026 |
| 601 | Jackson, Hattiesburg, Meridian | Central (CST/CDT) | Original | 1947 |
| 662 | Tupelo, Southaven, Oxford | Central (CST/CDT) | Split | 1999 |
| 769 | Jackson, Hattiesburg, Vicksburg | Central (CST/CDT) | Overlay | 2005 |
Area Code 601: Central and Southern Mississippi
Historical Significance
Area code 601 was one of the original 86 area codes established in 1947 as part of the North American Numbering Plan. For 50 years, this single code served the entire state of Mississippi, covering every city, town, and rural community from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee border.
Major Cities and Institutions
The 601 area code serves Mississippi’s capital and largest city, Jackson, along with major regional centers like Hattiesburg, Meridian, Vicksburg, and Natchez. The region includes important institutions such as the University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi State Capitol, and numerous state government facilities.
Evolution and Changes
As Mississippi’s population grew and mobile phone usage exploded in the 1990s, the 601 area code underwent two major splits. In 1997, the Gulf Coast region separated to form area code 228. Two years later, in 1999, northern Mississippi split off to create area code 662. By 2005, even the reduced coverage area needed relief, leading to the implementation of overlay code 769.
Current Coverage
Today, area code 601 covers 38 counties in central and southern Mississippi, excluding the three Gulf Coast counties. The region serves approximately 1.4 million residents across 164 cities and communities. Major counties include Hinds, Forrest, Lauderdale, Warren, Adams, and Pike. All calls within the 601/769 overlay area require 10-digit dialing.
Area Code 228: Gulf Coast Mississippi
Geographic Coverage
Area code 228 serves the smallest geographic region in Mississippi, covering just three counties along the Gulf Coast: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. Despite its small size, this coastal strip is one of the state’s most densely populated areas.
Major Cities and Communities
The 228 area code includes the coastal cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Moss Point, and D’Iberville. These communities form Mississippi’s primary tourism and casino corridor along the Gulf of Mexico.
History and Implementation
Created on September 15, 1997, area code 228 was Mississippi’s first area code split. The separation occurred due to rapid population growth and increasing telecommunications demand along the coast. A six-month transition period allowed residents to adjust to the new dialing patterns.
Economic and Cultural Significance
The 228 region represents Mississippi’s maritime economy, including shipping, shipbuilding, seafood processing, and gaming industries. The area is home to Keesler Air Force Base, major casino resorts, and the state’s primary deep-water port facilities. The region continues to rebuild and grow following Hurricane Katrina’s impact in 2005.
Area Code 471: New Northern Mississippi Code (Coming Soon)
Implementation Timeline
⚠️ Important Update: Area code 471 will launch on January 30, 2026, as an overlay to the existing 662 area code. The Mississippi Public Service Commission approved this addition in June 2024 after NANPA projected that 662 would exhaust its available numbers by the third quarter of 2026.
Coverage Area
Area code 471 will serve the identical geographic region as 662, covering all of northern Mississippi. This includes 33 counties in the Public Service Commission Northern District, such as DeSoto, Lafayette, Lee, Alcorn, Coahoma, and Tunica counties. Additionally, it will serve portions of the Central District, including Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, and parts of Kemper, Noxubee, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington, and Yazoo counties.
What This Means for Residents
Existing 662 customers will keep their current telephone numbers. However, new customers or anyone requesting additional phone lines may receive numbers with the 471 area code once it becomes active. Businesses should prepare to update marketing materials and systems to accommodate both area codes. All customers will continue using 10-digit dialing for local calls, which is already required in this region.
Area Code 662: Northern Mississippi
Geographic Coverage
Area code 662 covers the entire northern half of Mississippi, spanning from the Tennessee border south to roughly Interstate 20. This large region includes the Mississippi Delta, the northeastern hill country, and communities along the Memphis metropolitan area’s southern edge.
Major Cities and Communities
The 662 area code serves major northern cities, including Tupelo, Southaven, Olive Branch, Oxford, Clarksdale, Columbus, Starkville, Greenville, and Cleveland. The region includes important educational institutions like Mississippi State University in Starkville and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford.
History and Implementation
Area code 662 was created on April 19, 1999, as Mississippi’s second split from the original 601 code. The division became necessary to accommodate both rural expansion and urban development in communities near Memphis, particularly in rapidly growing DeSoto County. A six-month permissive dialing period eased the transition.
Economic and Regional Character
The 662 region encompasses diverse economies, from the agricultural Delta to manufacturing centers like Tupelo (furniture industry headquarters) and Columbus (aerospace and defense). The area also includes significant casino operations in Tunica County and college town economies in Oxford and Starkville.
Area Code 769: Central Mississippi Overlay
Overlay Implementation
Area code 769 was introduced on March 14, 2005, as Mississippi’s first and currently only overlay area code. Unlike geographic splits that divide regions, an overlay adds a second code to the same geographic area, allowing both codes to serve identical locations.
Coverage and Cities
Area code 769 serves the exact same region as 601, covering central and southern Mississippi except the Gulf Coast. Major cities include Jackson, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Laurel, Vicksburg, McComb, Brookhaven, and Pearl. Both codes operate side by side throughout these communities.
Why the Overlay Was Needed
By the early 2000s, area code 601 was rapidly approaching exhaustion despite previous splits. The proliferation of mobile phones, pagers, fax lines, and additional household lines created unprecedented demand for new numbers. An overlay was chosen over another geographic split to avoid forcing existing customers to change their established phone numbers.
Current Usage
When requesting new phone service in the 601/769 region, customers may receive numbers from either area code depending on availability. Telecommunications providers assign numbers based on which central office codes remain available, with 769 assignments becoming more common for new services. There’s no geographic difference between the two codes; businesses using either code serve the same communities.
Understanding Time Zones in Mississippi
Mississippi operates entirely within the Central Time Zone (CT), which simplifies scheduling for residents and businesses throughout the state. All four active area codes and the upcoming 471 code use Central Time.
The state observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting to Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) from mid-March through early November, and returning to Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) for the winter months. When scheduling calls or meetings with people in other time zones, remember that Mississippi is one hour behind Eastern Time, one hour ahead of Mountain Time, and two hours ahead of Pacific Time.
For business communications across time zones, the most productive calling hours to reach Mississippi contacts are typically 10 AM to 4 PM Central Time on weekdays. This window overlaps with business hours in Eastern, Mountain, and Pacific time zones, making it easier to connect with contacts nationwide.
Mississippi Cities and Their Area Codes
| City | Area Code(s) | Population Rank | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | 601/769 | 1st (Largest) | State capital, government center |
| Gulfport | 228 | 2nd | Gulf Coast tourism, casino district |
| Southaven | 662 | 3rd | Memphis metro, retail hub |
| Hattiesburg | 601/769 | 4th | University town, medical center |
| Biloxi | 228 | 5th | Coastal resort, military base |
| Meridian | 601/769 | 6th | Transportation center, historic downtown |
| Tupelo | 662 | 7th | Furniture capital, Elvis birthplace |
| Olive Branch | 662 | 8th | Memphis suburb, rapid growth |
| Greenville | 662 | 9th | Delta hub, river port |
| Pearl | 601/769 | 10th | Jackson suburb, retail center |
| Madison | 601/769 | 11th | Affluent suburb, top schools |
| Clinton | 601/769 | 12th | College town, government offices |
| Starkville | 662 | 13th | Mississippi State University |
| Vicksburg | 601/769 | 14th | Historic site, casino gaming |
| Ridgeland | 601/769 | 15th | Business district, shopping |
How to Use Area Codes in Mississippi
Local Calling Requirements
Mississippi has specific dialing requirements depending on which area code region you’re calling from. In the 601/769 overlay area, all calls require 10-digit dialing, even for local calls to neighbors across the street. Simply dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number.
In the 228 and 662 regions, local calls typically require 10-digit dialing as well, though this became mandatory statewide with the implementation of the 769 overlay. Always include the area code when dialing any Mississippi number. The “1” prefix is not required for local or in-state calls.
Calling from Outside Mississippi
When calling Mississippi from elsewhere in the United States or Canada, dial 1 plus the area code plus the seven-digit phone number. For example, to reach a Jackson number, dial 1-601-XXX-XXXX or 1-769-XXX-XXXX.
For international callers outside North America, first dial your country’s exit code (often 00 or 011), then the US country code (1), followed by the Mississippi area code and seven-digit phone number. The complete format is: +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Mobile and Landline Considerations
In Mississippi, area codes no longer indicate whether a number is a mobile phone or a landline. Both types of service use the same area codes. When someone keeps their mobile number but moves to a different region, they retain their original area code, so a 662 number might actually belong to someone now living in the 601/769 region.
Number portability also means businesses and residents can often keep their existing phone numbers when switching service providers, maintaining the area code they’ve used for years. This helps preserve established business identities and personal contact information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What area codes are used in Mississippi?
Mississippi currently uses four active area codes: 228 (Gulf Coast), 601 (central/southern Mississippi), 662 (northern Mississippi), and 769 (overlay for 601 area). A fifth code, 471, will launch on January 30, 2026, as an overlay for the 662 region.
Why is Mississippi getting a new 471 area code?
The 662 area code is projected to run out of available phone numbers by the third quarter of 2026 due to population growth and increased demand for mobile lines. The 471 overlay will provide additional numbering resources without requiring existing customers to change their phone numbers.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in Mississippi?
Yes, all calls in Mississippi require 10-digit dialing (area code plus seven-digit number), even for local calls. This requirement became mandatory with the implementation of the 769 overlay in 2005 and applies throughout the state.
Will my phone number change when the 471 area code is implemented?
No, existing customers with 662 area codes will keep their current phone numbers. Only new customers or those requesting additional phone lines may be assigned numbers with the new 471 area code after it becomes active in January 2026.
What time zone is Mississippi in?
The entire state operates in the Central Time Zone (CT). During standard time (winter), Mississippi uses CST (UTC-6), and during daylight saving time (summer), it uses CDT (UTC-5). All Mississippi area codes share this single time zone.
Summary: Key Takeaways
Mississippi telecommunications are organized into four active area codes with a fifth launching in early 2026. Area code 601 is the original code from 1947, now serving central and southern Mississippi alongside its 769 overlay. Area code 228 covers the three Gulf Coast counties, while 662 serves northern Mississippi and will soon share its region with a new overlay code 471.
The entire state operates in the Central Time Zone, and all calls require 10-digit dialing. Existing customers keep their numbers when overlays are implemented, with new area codes only affecting new phone service requests.