Idaho · Mountain Time
986 Area Code
The 986 area code is a telephone area code in Idaho, covering Boise and the surrounding area. It lies in the Mountain Time zone for most of its territory.
Last updated June 5, 2026
Where is the 986 area code?
986 serves Boise and nearby communities in Idaho. In the wider directory it sits in the West region.
Time zone note: Southern Idaho (Boise) is Mountain; the Panhandle north of the Salmon River is Pacific.
Overlay codes serving Boise
Boise is served by an overlay of 2 area codes: 208, 986. 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 Boise numbers are no longer tied to a single prefix.
History of the 986 area code
986 was introduced as an overlay to relieve number exhaustion in the Boise area, adding capacity on top of 208 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 986 a scam or spam risk?
986 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 986 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 Idaho, compare codes across the West region, or view all Mountain Time codes. You can also browse the 9XX 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
986 area code FAQ
Where is the 986 area code?
The 986 area code is in Idaho, serving Boise and the surrounding area in the West region.
What time zone is 986 in?
986 is in the Mountain Time zone. Southern Idaho (Boise) is Mountain; the Panhandle north of the Salmon River is Pacific.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 986?
Yes. Because Boise is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 986 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 986 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.