Indiana · Central Time
812 Area Code
The 812 area code is a telephone area code in Indiana, covering Evansville and the surrounding area. It lies in the Central Time zone.
Last updated June 5, 2026
Where is the 812 area code?
812 serves Evansville and nearby communities in Indiana. In the wider directory it sits in the Midwest region.
Time zone note: Most of Indiana is Eastern; counties near Chicago and Evansville observe Central.
Overlay codes serving Evansville
Evansville is served by an overlay of 2 area codes: 812, 930. Because more than one code covers the same area, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes, so Evansville numbers are no longer tied to a single prefix.
History of the 812 area code
812 was introduced as an overlay to relieve number exhaustion in the Evansville area, adding capacity on top of 812 rather than splitting the region. Overlays let existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 812 a scam or spam risk?
812 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 812 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.
Other Indiana area codes
Explore more
See every code in Indiana, compare codes across the Midwest region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 8XX 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
812 area code FAQ
Where is the 812 area code?
The 812 area code is in Indiana, serving Evansville and the surrounding area in the Midwest region.
What time zone is 812 in?
812 is in the Central Time zone. Most of Indiana is Eastern; counties near Chicago and Evansville observe Central.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 812?
Yes. Because Evansville is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 812 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 812 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.