Omaha, NE Area Codes

Area codes serving Omaha

Omaha sits in Nebraska, part of the Midwest region and the Central Time zone. Its numbers are spread across an overlay of 2 codes that all cover the same ground: 402, 531.

The original code is 402 (in service since 1947). As the area ran low on numbers, regulators added overlay codes on top instead of splitting the city, so longtime residents kept their numbers while new lines received a newer code.

Code	Area served	In service
402	Eastern Nebraska, including Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding towns	January 1, 1947
531	Eastern Nebraska, including Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding towns	March 26, 2011

Nearby cities sharing these area codes

• Lincoln
• Bellevue
• Fremont
• Hastings
• Norfolk
• Columbus
• Papillion
• La Vista
• South Sioux City
• Beatrice
• York
• Blair
• Nebraska City

How to pick an area code for a new number

When you activate a new line in Omaha, the carrier assigns whichever code has numbers available — you usually can't choose. If a specific code matters to you (for example the prestige of 402), ask the carrier whether any blocks remain, or request a number transfer. All codes here dial identically and cost the same.

Dialing in Omaha

Because Omaha is an overlay area, 10-digit dialing is mandatory: always dial the area code plus the seven-digit number, even for a neighbor. See 10-digit dialing and overlay area codes for the background. For every code in Nebraska, visit the Nebraska area codes page.