Nebraska has 3 active area codes serving its communities across two time zones. The eastern part of the state uses Central Time with area codes 402 and 531, while western Nebraska primarily uses area code 308, which spans both Central and Mountain Time zones. Whether you need to identify an unknown caller, plan business communications across regions, or schedule calls at appropriate times, this guide provides complete and current information about every Nebraska area code.
Key Takeaways
- Nebraska has 3 active area codes: 402 (original, 1947), 308 (western split, 1954), and 531 (eastern overlay, 2011)
- Two time zones: Most of the state uses Central Time, with the far western edge on Mountain Time
- 10-digit dialing required in the 402/531 overlay area covering Omaha and Lincoln
- Area code 402/531 serves eastern Nebraska with approximately 1.5 million people in cities like Omaha, Lincoln, and Bellevue
- Area code 308 covers 48 counties in western Nebraska, including Grand Island, Kearney, and North Platte
Nebraska Area Codes Quick Reference Table
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 308 | Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, Scottsbluff, Alliance | Central/Mountain | Split | 1954 |
| 402 | Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Fremont, Columbus, Norfolk, Hastings | Central | Original | 1947 |
| 531 | Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Fremont, Columbus, Norfolk, Hastings | Central | Overlay | 2011 |
Area Code 402
Area code 402 was Nebraska’s original area code, established in 1947 as one of 86 original North American area codes. It initially covered the entire state until the 1954 split created area code 308 for western Nebraska.
Geographic Coverage and Major Cities
Area code 402 serves eastern and north-central Nebraska, covering approximately 45 counties, including Douglas (Omaha), Lancaster (Lincoln), Sarpy (Bellevue, Papillion), Dodge (Fremont), Platte (Columbus), Madison (Norfolk), and Adams (Hastings). This densely populated region serves approximately 1.5 million people and includes Nebraska’s two largest metropolitan areas.
Current Usage and Overlay
Since March 26, 2011, area code 402 has been overlaid with 531, meaning both codes serve identical geographic areas. The overlay prevented number exhaustion projected for 2012 and avoided forcing customers to change numbers. All calls within the 402/531 region require 10-digit dialing, even for local calls.
Area Code 308
Area code 308 was created on January 1, 1954, when Nebraska required a second area code due to growing telephone demand. The split created an S-shaped diagonal boundary designed to keep communities with strong economic and social ties within the same calling area.
Geographic Coverage
Area code 308 covers approximately 48 to 49 counties across western Nebraska, making it one of the largest area codes by land area in the United States. Major counties include Hall (Grand Island), Buffalo (Kearney), Lincoln (North Platte), Scottsbluff (Scottsbluff, Gering), Dawson (Lexington), and Box Butte (Alliance). The region encompasses the Nebraska Sandhills and agricultural heartland.
Time Zone Considerations
Area code 308 uniquely spans two time zones. Most of the 308 region observes Central Time (UTC-6 standard, UTC-5 daylight), while the far western panhandle near Wyoming observes Mountain Time (UTC-7 standard, UTC-6 daylight). Always confirm time zones when scheduling calls between Grand Island and Scottsbluff.
Regional Characteristics
The 308 region serves approximately 330,000 people across vast distances with wide-open spaces and significantly lower population density than eastern Nebraska. Many communities have populations under 3,000, with some counties having fewer than 500 residents.
Area Code 531
Area code 531 was introduced on March 26, 2011, as an overlay to area code 402. The Nebraska Public Service Commission chose this method after determining that 402 would exhaust available numbers by 2012 due to increased demand from mobile phones, pagers, fax machines, and internet services. Overlays avoid forcing customers to change established numbers.
Coverage Area
Area code 531 covers exactly the same geographic territory as 402, serving eastern and north-central Nebraska. All cities in the 402 region (Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Fremont, Columbus, Norfolk, Hastings) also use 531. Existing customers kept their 402 numbers, while new assignments received either 402 or 531 based on availability.
Impact on Dialing
The 531 overlay requires 10-digit dialing for all calls in the region, even local ones. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit number every time. For businesses, companies established before 2011 often maintain 402 numbers for brand recognition, while newer companies typically receive 531 assignments.
Understanding Time Zones in Nebraska
Most of Nebraska (about 90%) observes the Central Time Zone (CST: UTC-6, CDT: UTC-5). The far western panhandle near Scottsbluff and the Wyoming border uses Mountain Time Zone (MST: UTC-7, MDT: UTC-6). The boundary affects Scottsbluff, Banner, and Kimball counties.
Daylight Saving Time Observance
All of the state observes Daylight Saving Time, beginning the second Sunday in March and ending the first Sunday in November. The one-hour difference between eastern and western Nebraska remains constant year-round.
Scheduling Across Time Zones
Always verify your recipient’s time zone when calling within Nebraska. When it’s 9:00 AM in Omaha (Central), it’s only 8:00 AM in Scottsbluff (Mountain). For best results, schedule calls between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM Central Time (9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Mountain).
Nebraska Cities and Their Area Codes
- Omaha – 402/531 – Nebraska’s largest city with approximately 486,000 residents, serving as the state’s economic and cultural hub. Home to several Fortune 500 companies.
- Lincoln – 402/531 – The state capital with approximately 291,000 residents, home to the University of Nebraska flagship campus and state government offices.
- Bellevue – 402/531 – Nebraska’s third-largest city with approximately 64,000 residents, located adjacent to Offutt Air Force Base in the Omaha metropolitan area.
- Grand Island – 308 – Central Nebraska’s largest city with approximately 53,000 residents, serving as a regional agricultural and manufacturing center.
- Kearney – 308 – Home to approximately 34,000 residents and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, located along the historic Platte River valley.
- Fremont – 402/531 – Eastern Nebraska city of approximately 27,000 residents, serving as the Dodge County seat with strong agricultural ties.
- Hastings – 402/531 – South-central Nebraska city of approximately 25,000 residents, known as the birthplace of Kool-Aid and home to significant rail operations.
- North Platte – 308 – Western Nebraska city of approximately 23,000 residents, famous for Bailey Yard, the world’s largest railroad classification yard.
- Norfolk – 402/531 – Northeast Nebraska city of approximately 24,000 residents, serving as a regional medical and retail center.
- Columbus – 402/531 – Eastern Nebraska city of approximately 24,000 residents, located at the confluence of the Loup and Platte Rivers.
- Papillion – 402/531 – Sarpy County seat with approximately 24,000 residents, part of the Omaha metropolitan area.
- La Vista – 402/531 – Rapidly growing Omaha suburb with approximately 17,000 residents.
- Scottsbluff – 308 – Nebraska panhandle city of approximately 15,000 residents in Mountain Time Zone, serving as western Nebraska’s primary commercial hub.
- South Sioux City – 402/531 – Border city of approximately 13,000 residents, part of the greater Sioux City metropolitan area.
- Alliance – 308 – Western Nebraska city of approximately 8,000 residents, known for the Carhenge sculpture and regional ranching industry.
How to Use Area Codes in Nebraska
In the 402/531 overlay region (Omaha, Lincoln, eastern Nebraska), always use 10-digit dialing for all calls, including local calls. Dial the area code plus the seven-digit number without dialing “1” first. In the 308 region (western Nebraska), 10-digit dialing is increasingly standard, though some providers may still allow 7-digit local calls.
Calling from Outside Nebraska
From other US states, dial 1 + area code + seven-digit number (example: 1-402-555-0123). From international locations, dial your country’s exit code + 1 + area code + number (example from the UK: 00-1-402-555-0123).
Mobile and Landline Considerations
Area codes don’t indicate whether a number is mobile or landline. Number portability allows people to keep their numbers when switching carriers. Out-of-state area codes are common for residents who have moved but kept their original mobile numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many area codes does Nebraska have?
This State has 3 active area codes: 402, 308, and 531.
What area code is Omaha, Nebraska?
Omaha uses both area codes 402 and 531.
Additional Resources
For the most current information about Nebraska area codes, consult these official resources:
- NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administration): The official source for area code assignments and changes at nationalnanpa.com
- Nebraska Public Service Commission: State regulatory authority for telecommunications at psc.nebraska.gov
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Federal telecommunications regulations and consumer information at fcc.gov
- Time Zone Converters: For scheduling across time zones, use timeanddate.com or worldtimebuddy.com
If you need detailed information about specific Nebraska cities, visit our dedicated city pages for Omaha and Lincoln for more localized calling information and resources.