South region · Eastern Time, Central Time
Kentucky Area Codes
All 6 area codes serving Kentucky, the cities each one covers, and which are overlays. Kentucky is served by 6 area codes, spanning Eastern Time, Central Time.
Last updated October 3, 2026
Full list
Every Kentucky area code
Kentucky is served by 6 area codes, spanning Eastern Time, Central Time. 2 of these are overlay codes layered over busy metros; the rest are geographic codes. Eastern in Louisville, Lexington and the east; Central in the west (Bowling Green, Paducah).
| Code | Area served | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 270 | Western and south-central Kentucky including Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah | Geographic | Since 1999 |
| 364 | Western and south-central Kentucky including Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah | Overlay | Since 2014 |
| 502 | Louisville metro and north-central Kentucky including Frankfort | Geographic | Since 1947 |
| 606 | Eastern Kentucky, including Appalachian coalfields and the Ashland area | Geographic | Since 1955 |
| 761 | Louisville metro and north-central Kentucky including Frankfort | Overlay | Planned (date not yet set) |
| 859 | Central Kentucky Bluegrass region and Northern Kentucky near Cincinnati | Geographic | Since 2000 |
Area codes and dialing in Kentucky
Kentucky's 6 area codes mix older geographic codes with newer overlays. The busiest metros — around Louisville, Ashland, Bowling Green — carry the most numbers and rely on overlays, which is why 10-digit dialing is required there. Quieter parts of the state may still use a single code. The oldest code in Kentucky is 502 (Louisville), one of the original 1947 area codes.
Whenever a Kentucky region runs low on numbers, a new overlay is added on top rather than splitting the map, so existing customers keep their numbers. See 10-digit dialing for what that means in practice, or the newest area codes for upcoming changes.
Kentucky city area code pages
Look up the area codes for a specific Kentucky city: Bowling Green · Louisville · Lexington.
Browse Kentucky another way
Explore by South region, by time zone, or jump to the city index. You can also see the complete numeric list of every US area code.
Quick answers
Kentucky area code FAQ
How many area codes does Kentucky have?
Kentucky currently has 6 area codes: 270, 364, 502, 606, 761, 859.
What is the main area code for Kentucky?
Kentucky has no single main code. Its original 1947 area code was 502; today the main cities are served by 502 (Louisville), 606 (Ashland), 270 (Bowling Green), 859 (Lexington), 364 (Bowling Green).
Does Kentucky require 10-digit dialing?
Yes, in its overlay areas you must dial all 10 digits, even for local calls. Dialing all 10 digits always works, so it is the safe habit.