South region · Eastern Time, Central Time
Kentucky Area Codes
All 6 area codes serving Kentucky, the cities each one covers, and which are overlays. Kentucky is served by 6 area codes, spanning Eastern Time, Central Time.
Last updated October 1, 2026
Full list
Every Kentucky area code
Kentucky is served by 6 area codes, spanning Eastern Time, Central Time. 2 of these are overlay codes layered over busy metros; the rest are geographic codes. Eastern in Louisville, Lexington and the east; Central in the west (Bowling Green, Paducah).
| Code | Area served | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 270 | Western and south-central Kentucky including Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah | Geographic | Since 1999 |
| 364 | Western and south-central Kentucky including Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah | Overlay | Since 2014 |
| 502 | Louisville metro and north-central Kentucky including Frankfort | Geographic | Since 1947 |
| 606 | Eastern Kentucky, including Appalachian coalfields and the Ashland area | Geographic | Since 1955 |
| 761 | Louisville metro and north-central Kentucky including Frankfort | Overlay | Planned (date not yet set) |
| 859 | Central Kentucky Bluegrass region and Northern Kentucky near Cincinnati | Geographic | Since 2000 |
Area codes and dialing in Kentucky
Kentucky's 6 area codes mix older geographic codes with newer overlays. The busiest metros — around Ashland, Bowling Green, Lexington — carry the most numbers and rely on overlays, which is why 10-digit dialing is required there. Quieter parts of the state may still use a single code. The original code in the Kentucky list is 270 (Bowling Green).
Whenever a Kentucky region runs low on numbers, a new overlay is added on top rather than splitting the map, so existing customers keep their numbers. See 10-digit dialing for what that means in practice, or the newest area codes for upcoming changes.
Cities with multiple area codes
These Kentucky metros are served by an overlay of two or more codes, so 10-digit dialing applies: Bowling Green · Louisville.
Browse Kentucky another way
Explore by South region, by time zone, or jump to the city index. You can also see the complete numeric list of every US area code.
Quick answers
Kentucky area code FAQ
How many area codes does Kentucky have?
Kentucky currently has 6 area codes: 270, 364, 502, 606, 761, 859.
What is the main area code for Kentucky?
The busiest metro in Kentucky is served by the 270 code. Major cities include Ashland, Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville.
Does Kentucky require 10-digit dialing?
Yes, in its overlay metros you must dial all 10 digits. Ten-digit dialing is the national standard.