Cleveland, OH Area Codes

Area codes serving Cleveland

Cleveland sits in Ohio, part of the Midwest region and the Eastern Time zone. Its numbers are spread across an overlay of 2 codes that all cover the same ground: 216, 440.

The original code is 216. As the area ran low on numbers, regulators added overlay codes on top instead of splitting the city, so longtime residents kept their numbers while new lines received a newer code.

How to pick an area code for a new number

When you activate a new line in Cleveland, the carrier assigns whichever code has numbers available — you usually can't choose. If a specific code matters to you (for example the prestige of 216), ask the carrier whether any blocks remain, or request a number transfer. All codes here dial identically and cost the same.

Dialing in Cleveland

Because Cleveland is an overlay area, 10-digit dialing is mandatory: always dial the area code plus the seven-digit number, even for a neighbor. See 10-digit dialing and overlay area codes for the background. For every code in Ohio, visit the Ohio area codes page.