The city of Portland, Oregon, and its surrounding metropolitan area are served by an area code overlay, meaning two different area codes cover the exact same geographic region.
The Portland area code is either 503 or 971. The 503 area code is the original, historic code for the region, while the 971 area code was introduced later as an overlay to provide additional telephone numbers. This overlay structure requires that 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all calls placed within the Portland region, even for local calls.
This guide will provide a full breakdown of the 503/971 overlay, the major cities included, and important dialing rules for residents and businesses.
The Portland Area Code Overlay: 503 and 971
The reason Portland has two area codes that cover the same area is due to a dramatic increase in demand for phone numbers, driven primarily by the proliferation of mobile phones, landlines, and VoIP services.
Area Code 503: The Original
- Established: 1947
- Original Scope: When created, 503 was one of the original 86 area codes in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and covered the entire state of Oregon.
- Current Scope: Today, 503 covers the northwestern corner of Oregon, including the Portland metro area and the state capital, Salem.
Area Code 971: The Overlay
- Established: 2000
- Purpose: 971 was introduced as an overlay to prevent the 503 area code from exhausting its remaining numbers. Any new phone line (mobile or landline) activated in the Portland region today may be assigned either 503 or 971.
Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing
Because two different area codes cover the same territory, all phone users within the 503/971 region must dial 10 digits (the 3-digit area code + the 7-digit local number) for all local calls. If you only dial 7 digits, the call will fail.
Geographic Coverage of Area Codes 503 and 971
The 503 and 971 area codes serve the entire northwestern region of Oregon, encompassing several large counties and major cities outside of Portland proper.
Major Cities Covered
The combined 503/971 Numbering Plan Area includes some of Oregon’s most populous cities:
| City | County |
| Portland | Multnomah |
| Salem (State Capital) | Marion |
| Gresham | Multnomah |
| Hillsboro | Washington |
| Beaverton | Washington |
| Lake Oswego | Clackamas |
| Oregon City | Clackamas |
| Astoria | Clatsop |
Time Zone Information
The entire 503/971 service area operates within the Pacific Time Zone (PT).
- Standard Time: Pacific Standard Time (PST – UTC-8)
- Daylight Saving Time: Pacific Daylight Time (PDT – UTC-7)
Dialing Rules and Neighboring Area Codes
Understanding how to dial and where the Portland area code boundaries are located is essential for travel and long-distance calling.
How to Dial a Local Portland Number
Whether you are calling a 503 number or a 971 number from within the Portland area, the process is the same:
- Example Call to 503 Number: 503-XXX-XXXX
- Example Call to 971 Number: 971-XXX-XXXX
Neighboring Oregon Area Codes
The 503/971 region is bordered by Washington state to the north and other Oregon area codes to the south and east:
| Direction | Neighboring Area Code(s) | Primary Location |
| North | 360 and 564 | Vancouver, WA area |
| South/East | 541 and 458 | Eugene, Bend, Eastern Oregon |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between the 503 and 971 area codes?
The only difference is the date of assignment. The 503 code is older and was used first, while the 971 code was added later (in 2000) to serve the exact same region when new numbers ran out. They function identically, and either code designates a Portland-area number.
Do I need to dial a ‘1’ before calling a Portland number?
Generally, no. In the 503/971 area, 10-digit dialing is the standard (Area Code + Local Number). However, if you are calling from a landline or a VoIP service and the call fails, try adding the ‘1’ prefix (1-503-XXX-XXXX or 1-971-XXX-XXXX). All mobile phones typically handle the ‘1’ automatically.
Is Portland, Maine, covered by the 503 area code?
No. Portland, Maine, is located on the opposite side of the United States (East Coast) and is covered by the 207 area code. The 503/971 area codes are exclusively for Portland, Oregon (West Coast).
Are calls from the 503 or 971 area code often scams?
Like most major metropolitan areas, Portland’s area codes are often spoofed by robocallers and scammers to trick local residents into answering the phone (“neighborhood spoofing”). If you receive an unexpected call from a 503 or 971 number you don’t recognize, treat it with caution and do not provide personal information.
Conclusion
The Portland area code is a combination of the historic 503 and the overlay code 971. Both codes cover the same densely populated northwestern region of Oregon, including Portland and Salem. For successful communication, always remember to use 10-digit dialing (Area Code + Number) regardless of whether you are dialing a 503 or a 971 number within the metro area.
