New Mexico has 2 active area codes serving its cities and communities across the entire state in the Mountain Time Zone. Whether you need to identify an unknown caller, plan business communications across regions, or schedule calls at the right time, this guide provides complete and current information about every New Mexico area code.
The state follows Mountain Time year-round, observing Daylight Saving Time from March through November.
Key Takeaways:
- New Mexico uses 2 area codes: 505 (established 1947) and 575 (established 2007)
- The entire state operates in Mountain Time (MT), UTC-7 during standard time and UTC-6 during daylight saving time
- Area code 505 serves northwestern and central New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, and Gallup
- Area code 575 covers the rest of the state, including Las Cruces, Roswell, Carlsbad, and Clovis
- Both area codes require 10-digit dialing for all calls within New Mexico
New Mexico Area Codes
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 505 | Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington, Gallup | Mountain (MT) | Original | 1947 |
| 575 | Las Cruces, Roswell, Carlsbad, Clovis, Alamogordo | Mountain (MT) | Split | 2007 |
Area Code 505: Northwestern and Central New Mexico
Area code 505 covers the northwestern and central portions of New Mexico, encompassing approximately 1.2 million residents. This includes major metropolitan areas along the Rio Grande corridor and the Four Corners region. The area code serves Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, McKinley, San Juan, Valencia, Cibola, and parts of Torrance and Rio Arriba counties.
Major Cities and Communities
The 505 area code includes Albuquerque, the state’s largest city with over 560,000 residents. Santa Fe, the state capital and fourth-largest city, also uses this code. Other significant communities include Rio Rancho, Farmington, Gallup, Los Alamos, Belen, Bernalillo, Espanola, Grants, Aztec, and Shiprock.
Historical Significance
Area code 505 is one of the 86 original area codes established in 1947 by AT&T and the Bell System. It initially covered the entire state of New Mexico, serving as the sole area code for 60 years. The middle digit “0” in the original numbering plan indicated that this code served an entire state, which was typical for less populated regions at the time.
Evolution and Changes
As New Mexico’s population grew, particularly in the Albuquerque metropolitan area, demand for phone numbers increased dramatically. By the early 2000s, number exhaustion became a concern. In 2006, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission voted to split the area code rather than implement an overlay.
The decision allowed Albuquerque and Santa Fe to retain the historic 505 code. On October 7, 2007, the split took effect, creating area code 575 for the remainder of the state.
Current Usage
Today, area code 505 serves approximately 1.2 million people in New Mexico’s most urbanized regions. Major employers include Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, Intel Corporation, the University of New Mexico, and numerous federal agencies. The area is known for its aerospace and defense industries, healthcare systems, and growing technology sector. All calls within the 505 region require 10-digit dialing, even for local calls.
Area Code 575: Southern, Eastern, and Western New Mexico
Area code 575 covers the southern, eastern, and western portions of New Mexico, spanning a vast geographic area with diverse landscapes. This includes the Chihuahuan Desert, the Sacramento Mountains, the Pecos River Valley, and portions of the high plains. The area code serves Dona Ana, Chaves, Eddy, Lea, Otero, Luna, Grant, Hidalgo, Curry, Roosevelt, and numerous other counties across the state.
Major Cities and Communities
Las Cruces, New Mexico’s second-largest city with nearly 117,000 residents, is the primary urban center in the 575 area code. Other significant cities include Roswell (famous for its UFO history), Carlsbad (gateway to Carlsbad Caverns), Clovis (home to Cannon Air Force Base), Alamogordo (near White Sands National Park), Hobbs, Deming, Silver City, Ruidoso, Portales, and Truth or Consequences.
History and Implementation
Area code 575 was created on October 7, 2007, through a geographic split of area code 505. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission approved the split after extensive public input. The decision to split rather than overlay preserved the ability to identify a caller’s general location by area code. Implementation required many residents and businesses outside Albuquerque and Santa Fe to change their phone numbers.
Economic and Cultural Significance
The 575 region encompasses diverse economic activities, from agriculture and ranching to military installations and tourism. New Mexico State University in Las Cruces is a major educational institution. The area is home to White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and Cannon Air Force Base.
Tourism centers include Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park, and numerous historic sites. The region’s economy also relies on oil and gas production, particularly in the southeastern counties.
Current Usage
Area code 575 serves approximately 900,000 residents across a geographically larger area than 505, though with lower population density. The region includes significant Hispanic cultural heritage, Native American communities, and ranching traditions. Like 505, all calls within the 575 area code require 10-digit dialing. The area code has sufficient capacity to meet demand for the foreseeable future.
Understanding Time Zones in New Mexico
The entire state of New Mexico operates within the Mountain Time Zone (MT). Unlike neighboring Arizona, which does not observe Daylight Saving Time (except on the Navajo Nation), New Mexico observes DST statewide. This means clocks move forward one hour in March and back one hour in November each year.
UTC Offset and DST
During standard time (early November to early March), New Mexico operates at UTC-7, meaning it is seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. During Daylight Saving Time (early March to early November), the state shifts to UTC-6, reducing the offset to six hours behind UTC. This is also known as Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) during the summer months.
Scheduling Across Time Zones
When scheduling calls with other regions, New Mexico is two hours behind Eastern Time, one hour behind Central Time, and one hour ahead of Pacific Time during standard time. During Daylight Saving Time, these relationships remain the same. Business professionals should note that New Mexico shares the same time as Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana, making coordination with these neighboring states straightforward.
New Mexico Cities and Their Area Codes
| City | Area Code(s) | Population (2025) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 505 | 560,326 | Largest city, major metro area |
| Las Cruces | 575 | 116,998 | Second-largest city, NMSU |
| Rio Rancho | 505 | 112,524 | Third-largest, fastest growing |
| Santa Fe | 505 | 90,551 | State capital, arts center |
| Roswell | 575 | 47,823 | UFO tourism, agriculture |
| Farmington | 505 | 46,339 | Four Corners region, energy |
| Clovis | 575 | 39,680 | Cannon Air Force Base |
| Hobbs | 575 | 40,508 | Oil and gas industry |
| Alamogordo | 575 | 31,813 | White Sands gateway |
| Carlsbad | 575 | 32,238 | Caverns National Park |
| Gallup | 505 | 21,935 | Native American culture |
| Deming | 575 | 14,855 | Southern border region |
| Los Alamos | 505 | 13,179 | National Laboratory |
| Portales | 575 | 12,280 | Agriculture, ENMU |
| Silver City | 575 | 9,926 | Historic mining, WNMU |
How to Use Area Codes in New Mexico
All calls within New Mexico require 10-digit dialing, regardless of whether you are calling within the same area code or to a different one. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number for every call. There is no need to dial “1” before the area code for local calls within the state. This requirement was implemented in October 2021 to prepare for the national 988 suicide prevention hotline.
Calling from Outside the State
When calling New Mexico from elsewhere in the United States, dial 1 plus the area code (505 or 575) plus the seven-digit local number. The format is: 1-505-XXX-XXXX or 1-575-XXX-XXXX. Long-distance rates may apply depending on your calling plan, though many modern plans include nationwide calling.
International Dialing Format
To call New Mexico from outside the United States, dial your country’s international access code (often 00 or 011), then the US country code (1), then the area code (505 or 575), followed by the seven-digit local number. The complete format is: [International Access Code] + 1 + [Area Code] + [Seven-Digit Number].
Mobile and Landline Considerations
Cell phone numbers and landline numbers in New Mexico use the same area codes. When someone moves within or to New Mexico, they often keep their existing phone number, so area codes do not always indicate the current location. Many residents have cell phones with 505 area codes even if they live in the 575 region, and vice versa, due to number portability regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is 505?
Area code 505 serves northwestern and central New Mexico, including the major cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Farmington, and Gallup. It is one of the original 86 area codes established in 1947 and originally covered the entire state. Today, it serves approximately 1.2 million residents in the most populous part of New Mexico.
What area code is 575?
Area code 575 serves southern, eastern, and western New Mexico. It includes Las Cruces (the state’s second-largest city), Roswell, Carlsbad, Clovis, Alamogordo, Hobbs, and many other communities. The code was introduced in 2007 when area code 505 was split due to increasing demand for phone numbers. It covers a larger geographic area than 505 but has a smaller total population.
Will New Mexico get a new area code soon?
There are currently no plans for a new area code in New Mexico. Both 505 and 575 have sufficient capacity to meet demand for the foreseeable future. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission monitors number utilization and would announce any future changes well in advance. When the state does eventually need additional capacity, the commission will likely choose between an overlay system and another geographic split.
Additional Resources
For more information about New Mexico telecommunications, visit:
- New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC): State regulatory authority for telecommunications
- North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA): Official area code database and assignments
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Official US time standards and information
For information about other states’ area codes, time zones, and calling procedures, explore our comprehensive guides for neighboring states and regions across the United States.