Utah has 3 active area codes serving communities across the Mountain Time Zone. The 801 area code is one of the original codes established in 1947 and covers the Wasatch Front region, including Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden. Whether you need to identify an unknown caller from the 801 telephone area code, plan business communications, or understand where area code 801 is located, this guide provides current and accurate information.
Key Takeaways
- Area code 801 serves the Wasatch Front in Utah, covering 5 counties and 2.5+ million residents
- Established in 1947 as one of 86 original North American area codes, initially covering all of Utah
- Area code 385 was added in 2008 as an overlay, serving the same geographic region
- 10-digit dialing has been mandatory for all calls, even local ones, since June 2009
- The region follows Mountain Time (MT) and observes Daylight Saving Time
Quick Reference Table
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 801 | Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, West Valley City, Orem | Mountain (MST/MDT) | Original | 1947 |
| 385 | Same coverage as 801 (Wasatch Front overlay) | Mountain (MST/MDT) | Overlay | 2008 |
| 435 | Rest of Utah (outside Wasatch Front) | Mountain (MST/MDT) | Split | 1997 |
Area Code 801: Utah’s Original Number
Geographic Coverage and Counties
The 801 code covers the Wasatch Front region in north-central Utah, spanning five counties: Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber. This corridor stretches approximately 80 miles from Ogden in the north to Provo in the south, following the western edge of the Wasatch Mountains. The region represents Utah’s most densely populated area, housing roughly 80% of the state’s total population of approximately 2.5 million residents.
Major Cities Served
Salt Lake City, as the state capital and largest metropolitan area, anchors the 801 region. Other major cities include West Valley City, Provo, West Jordan, Orem, Sandy, Ogden, Layton, South Jordan, Taylorsville, Murray, Bountiful, Riverton, Lehi, American Fork, Spanish Fork, Springville, Pleasant Grove, Draper, and Kaysville. The tech hub of Lehi, part of the Silicon Slopes corridor, has experienced rapid growth in recent years.
Historical Background
When the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) was implemented in 1947, the 801 was assigned to cover the entire state of Utah. The middle digit “0” indicated statewide coverage, a system used by AT&T to organize the original 86 area codes. This remained unchanged for 50 years until Utah’s population growth necessitated changes.
Evolution Through Splits and Overlays
On September 21, 1997, area code 801 was geographically reduced to serve only the Wasatch Front, while the rest of Utah received the new 435 area code. This created an unusual “doughnut” or enclave configuration, with 801 completely surrounded by 435. Within two years, planners realized the Wasatch Front needed another code due to the concentration of mobile phones, pagers, and fax machines.
In July 2007, the Public Service Commission of Utah announced that code 385 would be implemented as an overlay rather than a geographic split. This allowed existing 801 users to keep their numbers, while new assignments received 385 numbers. Area code 385 entered service on June 1, 2008, with 10-digit dialing becoming mandatory on June 1, 2009.
Area Code 385: The Wasatch Front Overlay
What Is an Overlay?
An overlay assigns a new area code to the same geographic region instead of dividing the area into separate zones. The 385 overlay covers the exact same five counties and cities as 801. This approach prevents the disruption of changing millions of phone numbers across businesses, residents, and databases.
Implementation Timeline
The Public Service Commission of Utah initially considered a geographic split in 2000 that would have given Salt Lake County the 801 code while assigning 385 to the surrounding areas. However, conservation measures like number pooling postponed this decision for several years. When action became necessary in 2007, officials chose the overlay approach to minimize disruption.
Current Number Assignment
New phone numbers in the Wasatch Front may receive either 801 or 385, depending on availability. As most 801 numbers were already assigned before the overlay took effect, new assignments increasingly use 385. Both codes carry equal standing with no practical difference for local calling or business purposes.
Understanding Time Zones
Mountain Time Coverage
The 801 operates in the Mountain Time Zone (America/Denver). During Mountain Standard Time (November through early March), the region is UTC-7. During Mountain Daylight Time (early March through November), it shifts to UTC-6. The entire Wasatch Front covered by 801 observes Daylight Saving Time, with clocks springing forward in March and falling back in November.
Scheduling Across Time Zones
When contacting someone in the 801 code, remember that Mountain Time is 1 hour behind Central Time, 2 hours behind Eastern Time, and 1 hour ahead of Pacific Time. For international calls, the region is 7 hours behind UTC during winter and 6 hours behind during summer.
Utah Cities and Their Area Codes
Salt Lake City (801, 385): State capital with approximately 200,000 city residents and over 1.2 million in the metro area. Home to Temple Square, the University of Utah, and major employers in technology, finance, and healthcare.
West Valley City (801, 385): Utah’s second-largest city with about 140,000 residents. Diverse community with strong manufacturing and retail sectors.
Provo (801, 385): University city with 115,000 residents. Home to Brigham Young University and part of the Silicon Slopes tech corridor.
West Jordan (801, 385): Suburban city with 116,000 residents in southwestern Salt Lake Valley.
Orem (801, 385): City of 98,000 residents in Utah County. Major retail hub and home to Utah Valley University.
Sandy (801, 385): Suburban city with 96,000 residents. Location of major retail centers and Rio Tinto Stadium.
Ogden (801, 385): Historic city with 87,000 residents in northern Utah. Home to Weber State University and a growing arts scene.
Layton (801, 385): City of 81,000 residents with a strategic location between Salt Lake City and Ogden.
How to Use in the Wasatch Front
Local Calling Requirements
Ten-digit dialing is mandatory for all calls within the 801/385 region. This means dialing the full area code plus the seven-digit local number (example: 801-555-1234), even when calling a neighbor. You do not need to dial “1” before the area code for local calls. Emergency calls to 911 still work with just three digits.
Calling from Outside Utah
When calling the Wasatch Front from elsewhere in North America, dial 1 + Area Code + Seven-Digit Number (example: 1-801-555-1234). From international locations, use the format: International Access Code + 1 (US country code) + Area Code + Seven-Digit Number. Most European countries use 00 or 011 as their international access code.
Mobile and Landline Considerations
Both 801 and 385 numbers can be assigned to either landlines or mobile phones. Number portability rules allow customers to transfer numbers between carriers and between landline and mobile services, so you cannot determine the device type from the area code alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities are in the 801 area code?
The 801 area code (and its 385 overlay) serves the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, West Valley City, Orem, Sandy, West Jordan, Layton, South Jordan, Taylorsville, Murray, Bountiful, Lehi, American Fork, Spanish Fork, Springville, Riverton, Draper, Pleasant Grove, Roy, Kaysville, Clearfield, and dozens of other communities across Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties.
Where is area code 801 located?
Area code 801 is located in north-central Utah, covering the Wasatch Front metropolitan corridor. This region stretches from Ogden in the north to Provo in the south, following the western edge of the Wasatch Mountains. It encompasses five counties and represents the most densely populated region of Utah.
Is area code 801 the same as 385?
Yes, both area codes serve the identical geographic region. Area code 385 was implemented in 2008 as an overlay to 801, meaning both codes cover the same territory. New phone numbers may be assigned either code, depending on availability. There is no difference in service or calling costs between them.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in Salt Lake City?
Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all calls within the 801/385 region. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit local number, but you do not need to dial “1” before the area code for local calls. This requirement has been in effect since June 2009.
