Wisconsin has 8 active area codes serving its cities and communities across the entire Central Time Zone. The state recently added two overlay codes: area code 353 in September 2023 and area code 274 in May 2023. Whether you need to identify an unknown caller, establish business communications in Milwaukee or Madison, or schedule calls across different regions.

Key Takeaways:

• Wisconsin currently has 8 active area codes serving approximately 5.9 million residents statewide
• The entire state operates within the Central Time Zone (no time zone splits)
• Recent additions include 353 (September 2023) overlaying 608 and 274 (May 2023) overlaying 920
• All Wisconsin calls require 10-digit dialing, including local calls within the same area code
• The original area codes 414 and 715 were assigned in 1947 as part of the first North American Numbering Plan
• Check all area codes in us for free.

All 8 Wisconsin Area Codes

Area Code 262: Southeast Wisconsin Suburbs

Area code 262 serves southeastern Wisconsin, covering the suburban regions surrounding Milwaukee. This code includes Kenosha, Racine, and Waukesha counties, providing telephone service to rapidly growing communities along Lake Michigan’s western shore.

Major Cities and Communities

The 262 area code primarily serves Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, West Bend, Brookfield, New Berlin, Muskego, Menomonee Falls, and Greenfield. These communities form a dense suburban network with strong economic ties to Milwaukee.

History and Implementation

Wisconsin created area code 262 in September 1999 as a geographic split from area code 414. The split became necessary due to Milwaukee’s metropolitan expansion and increasing demand for telephone numbers in the suburban counties.

Current Usage

Today, 262 serves approximately 1.1 million residents across three counties. The area code supports diverse industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. All calls within and to this area code require 10-digit dialing.

Area Code 274: Northeast Wisconsin Overlay

✨ NEW: Activated May 2023

Area code 274 functions as an overlay to the existing 920 area code, serving the identical geographic region in northeastern Wisconsin. This means both 274 and 920 numbers coexist in the same cities and counties.

Coverage and Cities

The 274 overlay covers Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and surrounding communities throughout the Fox River Valley and Lake Michigan shoreline. It serves the same geographic footprint as 920.

Why the Overlay Was Needed

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission implemented 274 to prevent number exhaustion in the 920 region. Growing population and increased mobile device usage created demand that a single area code could no longer accommodate.

Current Usage

New phone numbers in this region may be assigned either 274 or 920 area codes. Existing 920 numbers remain unchanged. Businesses and residents should always include their area code when sharing contact information.

Area Code 353: South-Central Wisconsin Overlay

✨ NEW: Activated September 2023

Overlay Implementation

Area code 353 serves as an overlay to area code 608, covering south-central and southwestern Wisconsin. Both area codes operate in the same geographic territory, providing additional numbering resources for this growing region.

Coverage and Cities

The 353 overlay includes Madison, La Crosse, Janesville, Beloit, Monroe, Portage, Reedsburg, and Prairie du Chute. This region encompasses Wisconsin’s state capital and major university communities along with productive agricultural areas.

Why the Overlay Was Needed

Forecasts indicated that 608 would exhaust its available numbers within several years. The overlay solution allows Madison’s continued growth while avoiding the disruption of splitting the region into separate area codes.

What This Means for Residents

Current 608 customers keep their existing numbers indefinitely. New phone line activations may receive either 608 or 353 numbers. The change requires minimal adjustment since 10-digit dialing was already mandatory statewide.

Area Code 414: Milwaukee Metro

Historical Significance

Area code 414 stands as one of Wisconsin’s two original area codes from 1947. It initially covered the entire eastern half of Wisconsin before population growth necessitated multiple splits and boundary adjustments.

Geographic Coverage

Today, 414 serves Milwaukee County exclusively, including the city of Milwaukee, West Allis, Wauwatosa, Greenfield, Oak Creek, Franklin, Cudahy, and South Milwaukee. This concentrated coverage reflects the state’s most densely populated urban area.

Major Cities and Institutions

Milwaukee anchors this area code with over 564,000 residents. The region hosts major employers including Harley-Davidson, Northwestern Mutual, and Molson Coors. The area also contains Marquette University, the Milwaukee Bucks, and thriving arts districts.

Current Usage

The 414 area code maintains strong brand recognition and local identity. Milwaukee businesses often prefer 414 numbers for their established market presence. All calls require 10-digit dialing even within Milwaukee County.

Area Code 534: Northern Wisconsin Overlay

Area code 534 was introduced in February 2010 as Wisconsin’s first overlay area code. It serves the same geographic region as 715, providing additional numbering capacity for northern and western Wisconsin.

Coverage and Cities

The 534 overlay includes Eau Claire, Wausau, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Rhinelander, Superior, and numerous smaller communities throughout Wisconsin’s northwoods region. This vast area spans nearly half the state’s geographic territory.

Why the Overlay Was Needed

The 715 region faced number exhaustion due to expanded mobile phone adoption and population shifts. Rather than splitting this large geographic area, regulators chose an overlay to maintain established calling patterns.

Current Usage

New telephone numbers in northern Wisconsin may receive either 715 or 534 assignment. The overlay operates seamlessly with existing 715 numbers. Approximately 1.2 million residents share these two area codes across 34 counties.

Area Code 608: South-Central Wisconsin

Wisconsin created area code 608 in 1955 as the state’s first area code split. Originally covering all of southern Wisconsin, 608 now serves the south-central and southwestern regions after subsequent boundary modifications.

Geographic Coverage

Area code 608 encompasses Madison and surrounding Dane County, along with communities in southwestern Wisconsin including La Crosse, Janesville, Beloit, Baraboo, Platteville, and Lancaster. The region combines urban centers with rural agricultural communities.

Major Cities and Institutions

Madison, the state capital, dominates this area code with 270,000 residents. The University of Wisconsin flagship campus enrolls over 45,000 students. State government operations and growing technology sectors drive the regional economy.

Evolution and Changes

The 608 area code served its region exclusively until September 2023, when area code 353 was introduced as an overlay. Both codes now serve the same geographic area, providing long-term numbering capacity.

Area Code 715: Northern Wisconsin

Area code 715 represents one of Wisconsin’s two original area codes from the 1947 North American Numbering Plan implementation. It initially covered the entire western half of Wisconsin before subsequent geographic adjustments.

Geographic Coverage

Today, 715 serves northern and western Wisconsin, covering the state’s largest geographic area. This region includes 34 counties spanning from Lake Superior southward through the central portions of the state.

Major Cities and Communities

Key cities within 715 include Eau Claire, Wausau, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Superior, Rhinelander, Marshfield, and Merrill. The region combines small cities with extensive rural and forested areas throughout Wisconsin’s northwoods.

Current Usage

Area code 715 now shares its geographic territory with overlay code 534, which was introduced in 2010. Together, these codes serve approximately 1.2 million residents across Wisconsin’s most geographically expansive region.

Area Code 920: Eastern Wisconsin

Wisconsin established area code 920 in July 1997 through a split from area code 414. This change reflected rapid growth in the Fox River Valley and northeastern Wisconsin communities that needed independent numbering resources.

Geographic Coverage

Area code 920 covers eastern Wisconsin from Green Bay southward through the Fox Cities, extending along Lake Michigan’s shore. The region encompasses Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, and Calumet counties among others.

Major Cities and Communities

Green Bay anchors the region with over 107,000 residents and the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. Other major cities include Appleton, Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Neenah. The Fox River Valley forms a continuous urban corridor.

Economic and Cultural Significance

The 920 region supports diverse manufacturing, paper production, and agricultural industries. Lawrence University, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Green Bay provide higher education. Tourism related to Lambeau Field brings significant economic impact.

Understanding Time Zones in Wisconsin

Wisconsin operates entirely within the Central Time Zone, making it simpler to schedule calls and coordinate activities across the state. The state observes Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) during winter months and shifts to Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) from March through November. This uniform time zone coverage eliminates confusion when communicating between different Wisconsin cities.

Unlike states such as Florida or Texas that span multiple time zones, every Wisconsin area code shares the same local time.

Wisconsin Cities and Their Area Codes

1. Milwaukee – 414
2. Madison – 608/353
3. Green Bay – 920/274
4. Kenosha – 262
5. Racine – 262
6. Appleton – 920/274
7. Waukesha – 262
8. Eau Claire – 715/534
9. Oshkosh – 920/274
10. Janesville – 608/353
11. West Allis – 414
12. La Crosse – 608/353
13. Wausau – 715/534
14. Fond du Lac – 920/274
15. Sheboygan – 920/274

How to Make an Call?

• Local Calls Within the state:

Dial all 10 digits without the number 1. Example: To call (608) 555-1234 from anywhere in Wisconsin, dial 608-555-1234.

• Calling from Other US States:

Add 1 before the area code. Example: From Illinois, dial 1-608-555-1234 to reach a Madison number.

• International Calls:

Use +1 followed by the full number. Example: From Canada or overseas, dial +1-608-555-1234.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many area codes does Wisconsin have?

Wisconsin currently has 8 active codes: 262, 274, 353, 414, 534, 608, 715, and 920. The state added its two newest codes in 2023 when 274 and 353 were activated as overlays to prevent number exhaustion in growing regions.

What is Milwaukee’s area code?

Milwaukee uses area code 414, which exclusively serves Milwaukee County. This includes the city of Milwaukee along with suburbs like Wauwatosa, West Allis, Greenfield, and Oak Creek.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in Wisconsin?

Yes, all calls within Wisconsin require 10-digit dialing regardless of whether you’re calling across the street or across the state. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number for every call, though you don’t need to dial 1 before the area code for local Wisconsin calls.