Arkansas · Central Time
501 Area Code
The 501 area code is a telephone area code in Arkansas, covering Little Rock and the surrounding area. It lies in the Central Time zone.
Last updated June 5, 2026
Where is the 501 area code?
501 serves Little Rock and nearby communities in Arkansas. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Dialing 501
Little Rock is currently served by the single area code 501. Ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) always works and is increasingly the norm nationwide; some local calls may still connect with seven digits. If a future overlay is added, 10-digit dialing would become mandatory.
History of the 501 area code
501 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Little Rock area ever since.
Is 501 a scam or spam risk?
501 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 501 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is local or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Explore more
See every code in Arkansas, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 5XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
501 area code FAQ
Where is the 501 area code?
The 501 area code is in Arkansas, serving Little Rock and the surrounding area in the South region.
What time zone is 501 in?
501 is in the Central Time zone.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 501?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 501 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 501 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.