Iowa · Central Time
515 Area Code
Area code 515 is in Iowa, serving central Iowa including Des Moines metro, Ames and Fort Dodge. It is in the Central Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 515 area code?
515 is a Iowa area code covering central Iowa including Des Moines metro, Ames and Fort Dodge. In the wider directory it sits in the Midwest region.
Cities in the 515 area code
- Des Moines
- West Des Moines
- Ankeny
- Ames
- Urbandale
- Johnston
- Waukee
- Fort Dodge
- Altoona
- Clive
- Indianola
- Boone
- Webster City
Counties served by 515
Polk County, Story County, Dallas County, Warren County, Webster County, Boone County and Hamilton County.
Dialing 515
Des Moines, IA is currently served by the single area code 515, 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 +1 515 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 515 area code
515 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 Des Moines area ever since.
Is 515 a scam or spam risk?
515 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 515 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Des Moines, IA or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Iowa area codes
Explore more
See every code in Iowa, compare codes across the Midwest 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
515 area code FAQ
Where is the 515 area code?
The 515 area code is in Iowa, covering central Iowa including Des Moines metro, Ames and Fort Dodge, in the Midwest region.
What cities are in the 515 area code?
Cities in the 515 area code include Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Ames, Urbandale, Johnston, Waukee, Fort Dodge, Altoona and Clive.
What time zone is 515 in?
515 is in the Central Time zone.
When did the 515 area code start?
515 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 515?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 515 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 515 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.