Arkansas · Central Time
501 Area Code
Area code 501 is in Arkansas, serving central Arkansas including Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs and Searcy. It is in the Central Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 501 area code?
501 is a Arkansas area code covering central Arkansas including Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs and Searcy. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 501 area code
- Little Rock
- North Little Rock
- Conway
- Hot Springs
- Jacksonville
- Benton
- Sherwood
- Cabot
- Bryant
- Searcy
- Maumelle
- Morrilton
- Malvern
Counties served by 501
Pulaski County, Faulkner County, Saline County, Garland County, Lonoke County, White County, Hot Spring County and Conway County.
Dialing 501
Little Rock, AR is currently served by the single area code 501, 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 +1 501 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 501 area code
501 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 Little Rock area ever since.
Is 501 a scam or spam risk?
501 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 501 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Little Rock, AR or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Explore more
See every code in Arkansas, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 5XX 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
501 area code FAQ
Where is the 501 area code?
The 501 area code is in Arkansas, covering central Arkansas including Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs and Searcy, in the South region.
What cities are in the 501 area code?
Cities in the 501 area code include Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Benton, Sherwood, Cabot, Bryant and Searcy.
What time zone is 501 in?
501 is in the Central Time zone.
When did the 501 area code start?
501 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 501?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 501 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 501 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.