About Indiana Area Codes
Indiana has 6 active area codes. That might seem like a lot, but it makes sense when you think about it - the more people living in a state, the more phone numbers are needed. Each area code can only handle so many phone numbers before it runs out.
The first area code in Indiana was created back in 1947. That was when the phone company was setting up the area code system across the whole country. At that time, one or two area codes was usually enough for most states. But as the population grew and everyone started carrying cell phones, more area codes were needed.
Time Zones
Here's something to watch out for: Indiana has area codes in 2 different time zones. This means when you're calling someone in Indiana, you need to think about what time it is where they are. You don't want to accidentally call someone at 6 AM because you forgot they're in a different time zone than you expected.
Central Time (CT)
Eastern Time (ET)
How Area Codes Work in Indiana
Different area codes in Indiana cover different parts of the state. Usually, big cities and their surrounding areas get their own area codes because lots of people live there and they need lots of phone numbers. Smaller cities might share an area code that covers a larger geographic area.
Sometimes when a region runs out of available phone numbers, they add a new area code. They can do this in two ways: either split the region into two parts (so some people have to change their numbers), or add a new code that covers the same area (so new phone numbers get the new code, but existing numbers don't change).
What You Should Know
Just because someone has a Indiana area code doesn't mean they're actually in Indiana right now. People can keep their phone numbers when they move to different states. Your cousin who moved from Indiana to another state probably still has their old Indiana number.
If you need to dial an area code for local calls depends on where you are in Indiana. Some areas require you to dial all 10 digits (area code + number) even for local calls. Other areas let you just dial the 7-digit number for local calls. When in doubt, dial all 10 digits - it always works.
Watch Out for Scams
Scammers can make their calls show any area code they want, including Indiana area codes. So don't automatically trust a call just because it looks like it's from Indiana. If someone calls asking for money, personal information, or saying you've won something, be very careful - even if it shows a local area code.