Arkansas Area Code Information

Arkansas Area Codes


Arkansas Area Code Overlays
(327 and 870)


Arkansas is currently using three area codes. Arkansas has had two area code splits and does not utilize any area code overlays.

Area code 501 originally covered all of Arkansas when it was established in 1947. It was not until 1997 that Arkansas experienced sufficient growth in population and telephone use to need an additional area code. It was at that time that area code 501 was split to form area code 870. In 2002 area code 501 was split again to form area code 479.

Today area code 501 covers central Arkansas including Little Rock and Hot Springs. Area code 870 covers eastern and northeastern Arkansas including Texarkana and Jonesboro. Area code 479 covers northeastern Arkansas including Fayetteville and Fort Smith.

Changes and History of Arkansas Area Codes:

01/01/1947
Area code 501 was put into service. In 1997 Area code 501 was split to form area code 870. In 2002 area code 501 was split to form area code 479.

04/14/1997
Area code 870 was put into service. Area code 870 was created from a split of area code 501.

01/19/2002
Area code 479 was put into service. Area code 479 was created from a split of area code 501.

02/20/2024
Area code 327 was put into service as an overlay of area code 870 effective 02/20/2024.

Arkansas Area Code Map