Minnesota · Central Time
218 Area Code
Area code 218 is in Minnesota, serving northern Minnesota including Duluth, Moorhead, Bemidji and the Iron Range. It is in the Central Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 218 area code?
218 is a Minnesota area code covering northern Minnesota including Duluth, Moorhead, Bemidji and the Iron Range. In the wider directory it sits in the Midwest region.
Cities in the 218 area code
- Duluth
- Moorhead
- Bemidji
- Brainerd
- Hibbing
- Grand Rapids
- Fergus Falls
- Cloquet
- Virginia
- Detroit Lakes
- Thief River Falls
- Crookston
- International Falls
- Ely
Counties served by 218
St. Louis County, Clay County, Beltrami County, Crow Wing County, Itasca County, Otter Tail County, Carlton County, Koochiching County, Becker County and Polk County.
Dialing 218
Duluth, MN is currently served by the single area code 218, 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 +1 218 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 218 area code
218 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 Duluth area ever since.
Is 218 a scam or spam risk?
218 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 218 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Duluth, MN or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Minnesota area codes
Explore more
See every code in Minnesota, compare codes across the Midwest region, or view all Central 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
218 area code FAQ
Where is the 218 area code?
The 218 area code is in Minnesota, covering northern Minnesota including Duluth, Moorhead, Bemidji and the Iron Range, in the Midwest region.
What cities are in the 218 area code?
Cities in the 218 area code include Duluth, Moorhead, Bemidji, Brainerd, Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Fergus Falls, Cloquet, Virginia and Detroit Lakes.
What time zone is 218 in?
218 is in the Central Time zone.
When did the 218 area code start?
218 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 218?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 218 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 218 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.