Oregon · Pacific Time
503 Area Code
Area code 503 is in Oregon, serving northwestern Oregon, including Portland, Salem and the northern coast. It is in the Pacific Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 971, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 503 area code?
503 is a Oregon area code covering northwestern Oregon, including Portland, Salem and the northern coast. In the wider directory it sits in the West region.
Cities in the 503 area code
- Portland
- Salem
- Gresham
- Hillsboro
- Beaverton
- Tigard
- Lake Oswego
- Keizer
- Tualatin
- Oregon City
- McMinnville
- Newberg
- Astoria
- Tillamook
Counties served by 503
Multnomah County, Washington County, Clackamas County, Marion County, Polk County, Yamhill County, Columbia County, Clatsop County and Tillamook County.
Time zone note: Pacific statewide except a small Mountain-zone strip on the Idaho border.
503 overlay codes and dialing
The 503 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 503, 971. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 503. 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 503 area code
503 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 Portland area ever since, with 971 later added as an overlay to supply more numbers.
Is 503 a scam or spam risk?
503 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 503 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Portland, OR or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Explore more
See every code in Oregon, compare codes across the West region, or view all Pacific 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
503 area code FAQ
Where is the 503 area code?
The 503 area code is in Oregon, covering northwestern Oregon, including Portland, Salem and the northern coast, in the West region.
What cities are in the 503 area code?
Cities in the 503 area code include Portland, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Keizer, Tualatin and Oregon City.
What time zone is 503 in?
503 is in the Pacific Time zone. Pacific statewide except a small Mountain-zone strip on the Idaho border.
What is the overlay for the 503 area code?
503 shares its territory with 971. Both codes (503, 971) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 503 area code start?
503 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 503?
Yes. Because 503 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 503 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 503 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.