Idaho Area Codes
Complete directory of all 2 active area codes serving Idaho. The The Gem State has a population of 1,964,726 (2023 estimate) and uses 2 area codes.
About Area Codes in Idaho
Idaho (ID) is the The Gem State, located in the West region of the United States. With a 2023 population of 1,964,726 residents, Idaho is served by 2 active area codes. The state capital is Boise and the largest city is Boise.Idaho's official motto is "Esto Perpetua."
Area code assignments in Idaho follow the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which has been in effect since 1947. As the state's population and demand for phone numbers grew — driven by the rise of cell phones, fax machines, pagers, and VoIP lines — regulators either split existing area codes geographically or added overlay codes that share the same territory. That's why Idaho now has 2 codes: 208, 986.
When you receive a call from a Idaho number, the area code tells you only where the number was originally assigned. Because of Local Number Portability (LNP), which took effect in 2003, callers can keep their phone numbers even when moving across state lines. So while a 208 number was once assigned in Idaho, the person calling you could be anywhere in the US today.
Time zones in Idaho
Idaho observes the Mountain and Pacific time zones. Daylight Saving Time is observed from the second Sunday in March through the first Sunday in November, when clocks shift forward by one hour. When you call a Idaho number from outside the state, double-check the local time above each area code detail page to avoid calling at unreasonable hours.
Phone number format in Idaho
All Idaho phone numbers follow the standard 10-digit NANP format: (NPA) NXX-XXXX. For local calls within Idaho, you typically need to dial the full 10-digit number — even for calls within the same area code — because of mandatory 10-digit dialing imposed by the FCC for areas with overlay codes (most of Idaho's territory). For long-distance calls within the NANP, dial 1 + area code + 7-digit number.
Frequently asked questions about Idaho area codes
How many area codes does Idaho have?
Idaho currently has 2 active area codes: 208, 986.
What is Idaho's original area code?
The oldest area code(s) in Idaho were assigned in 1947 as part of the original 86 NANP codes. These legacy codes typically covered the entire state at first, then were split as demand grew.
What time zone is Idaho in?
Idaho is in the Mountain, Pacific time zones.
Will Idaho get more area codes?
As Idaho's population and number demand grow, NANPA may assign additional overlay codes. When the current codes run out of available prefixes, regulators announce public hearings and propose new codes. The AreaCodeCentral team tracks these announcements and updates the directory within 24 hours of any new code activation.