Comprehensive Guide to Illinois Area Codes
Comprehensive Guide to Illinois Area Codes
Blog Article
Illinois Area Codes Explained

Trying to understand which area code to use for your business in Illinois? We’ll break it all down for you in this comprehensive post includes everything from historical area code changes to VoIP business solutions
Whether you're a resident, traveler, or business owner, grasping the phone number structure in Illinois is crucial for communication.
Understanding Illinois Area Codes
Area codes in Illinois are three-digit numbers assigned to different regions, helping manage number allocation across cities.
Structured by the NANP, Illinois codes align with the NANP guidelines used across North America. For official standards, visit NANPA’s website.
Illinois Area Code List
Here is a breakdown showing city coverage and overlays:
- 217 – Central Illinois including Springfield
- 309 – Western central Illinois
- 312 – Central Chicago zone
- 773 – Northwest and South Side of Chicago
- 872 – Overlay for 312 and 773
- 847 – Northern suburbs including Evanston
- 224 – Also covers northern suburbs
- 630 – Covers DuPage County, Naperville, Wheaton
- 331 – Used in the same region
- 708 – Southwest Chicago suburbs
- 815 – Spans northern rural regions
- 779 – Same coverage region
- 464 – Launched to support number exhaustion
To learn more about official overlays and numbering plans, visit the FCC Area Code Resources.
Find Area Codes for Illinois Cities
You can use online tools to discover which city an area code belongs to.
- TrueCaller – Reverse lookup and spam detection
- Whitepages – Detailed contact search and verification
- Nomorobo – Great for spam and robocall filtering
- YouTube: Illinois Area Codes Explained – Helpful visual resource
- Wikipedia List – See historical and current Illinois codes
Why Businesses Choose Local Illinois Numbers
Businesses operating in or targeting Illinois use local area codes to appear local and trustworthy in customers’ eyes.
With services like Bling Cloud, businesses can instantly activate virtual numbers for any Illinois region.
Looking to get started? Check out Bling’s virtual phone numbers today.
New and Duplicate Area Codes in IL
Many IL area codes now have overlays due to high population and business growth.
Here are the main overlays:
- 872 – Overlays 312 and 773 (Chicago)
- 464 – Newest overlay for 708 (Chicago suburbs)
- 224 – Overlays 847 (Northern suburbs)
- 331 – Overlays 630 (Western suburbs)
- 779 – Overlays 815 (Northern Illinois)
Overlay codes don’t replace old ones but coexist in the same region.
Regional Breakdown: Northern, Central, and Southern Illinois Area Codes
Illinois is divided into three primary telephone regions: North, Central, and South.
Northern Illinois
- 312, 773, 872 – Chicago metro|Downtown and metro Chicago
- 847, 224 – Evanston, Waukegan, North Shore|Northern suburbs
- 630, 331 – Naperville, Wheaton, Oak Brook|Western suburbs
- 708, 464 – Cicero, Oak Lawn, South suburbs
- 815, 779 – Rockford, Joliet, Kankakee
Central Illinois
- 217 – Springfield, Urbana, Decatur
- 309 – Peoria, Bloomington, Galesburg
Southern Illinois
- 618 – East St. Louis, Carbondale, Belleville
Impact of VoIP on Illinois Numbers
VoIP lets you use any area code in read more Illinois without a physical presence.
Want to learn more? Visit VoIP-powered Illinois business calling for powerful options.
Get a Business Number with an Illinois Area Code
Getting a business phone number with an Illinois area code enhances regional credibility.
You can register a business phone number with any Illinois code through platforms like Bling.
You don’t need to be in Illinois physically—virtual systems handle routing through VoIP or PBX networks.
FAQ – Illinois Phone Codes
Which area codes cover Chicago?
Downtown Chicago uses 312 while 773 is for outer districts.
How do I find the area code for a city in Illinois?
Use tools like TrueCaller, Whitepages, or check Wikipedia’s Illinois area code list.
Are there new area codes in Illinois?
872 and 779 are also recent additions.
Is it possible to buy a local IL number?
VoIP lets you use IL area codes even if you live elsewhere.
What happens if two people have the same area code?
Area codes can overlap, but full 10-digit numbers remain unique.