Illinois · Central Time
224 Area Code
Area code 224 is in Illinois, serving northern and northwest Chicago suburbs in Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. It is in the Central Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 847, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 224 area code?
224 is a Illinois area code covering northern and northwest Chicago suburbs in Cook, Lake and McHenry counties. In the wider directory it sits in the Midwest region.
Cities in the 224 area code
- Elgin
- Waukegan
- Evanston
- Arlington Heights
- Schaumburg
- Palatine
- Skokie
- Des Plaines
- Mount Prospect
- Hoffman Estates
- Glenview
- Wheeling
- Northbrook
- Highland Park
Counties served by 224
Cook County, Lake County, McHenry County and Kane County.
224 overlay codes and dialing
The 224 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 224, 847. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 847. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 224 area code
224 went into service on January 5, 2002 as an overlay of 847, relieving number exhaustion in the Elgin area. Rather than splitting the region, the overlay lets existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 224 a scam or spam risk?
224 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 224 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Elgin, IL or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Illinois area codes
Explore more
See every code in Illinois, 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
224 area code FAQ
Where is the 224 area code?
The 224 area code is in Illinois, covering northern and northwest Chicago suburbs in Cook, Lake and McHenry counties, in the Midwest region.
What cities are in the 224 area code?
Cities in the 224 area code include Elgin, Waukegan, Evanston, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Palatine, Skokie, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect and Hoffman Estates.
What time zone is 224 in?
224 is in the Central Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 224 area code?
224 shares its territory with 847. Both codes (224, 847) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 224 area code start?
224 went into service on January 5, 2002 as an overlay of 847.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 224?
Yes. Because 224 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 224 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 224 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.