Ohio · Eastern Time
216 Area Code
Area code 216 is in Ohio, serving the city of Cleveland and its inner-ring Cuyahoga County suburbs. It is in the Eastern Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 216 area code?
216 is a Ohio area code covering the city of Cleveland and its inner-ring Cuyahoga County suburbs. In the wider directory it sits in the Midwest region.
Cities in the 216 area code
- Cleveland
- Lakewood
- Cleveland Heights
- Euclid
- Shaker Heights
- Garfield Heights
- East Cleveland
- Maple Heights
- South Euclid
- University Heights
- Warrensville Heights
Counties served by 216
Cuyahoga County.
Dialing 216
Cleveland, OH is currently served by the single area code 216, with no overlay. Ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) always works and is increasingly the norm nationwide; some local calls may still connect with seven digits. If a future overlay is added, 10-digit dialing would become mandatory.
From outside the US, dial +1 216 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 216 area code
216 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Cleveland area ever since.
Is 216 a scam or spam risk?
216 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 216 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Cleveland, OH or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Ohio area codes
Explore more
See every code in Ohio, compare codes across the Midwest region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 2XX 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
216 area code FAQ
Where is the 216 area code?
The 216 area code is in Ohio, covering the city of Cleveland and its inner-ring Cuyahoga County suburbs, in the Midwest region.
What cities are in the 216 area code?
Cities in the 216 area code include Cleveland, Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Shaker Heights, Garfield Heights, East Cleveland, Maple Heights, South Euclid and University Heights.
What time zone is 216 in?
216 is in the Eastern Time zone.
When did the 216 area code start?
216 went into service on January 1, 1947 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 216?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 216 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 216 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.