The 220 area code is a valid geographic telephone code in the United States, covering a significant portion of Central and Southeastern Ohio.
It is important to note that the 220 area code is an overlay code for the older 740 area code. This means that both codes serve the exact same territory, and as a result, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls within this region.
This article details the location of the 220 area code, the major cities it serves, its time zone, and the dialing rules you must follow when communicating with this area.
Where is the 220 Area Code Located?
The 220 area code was introduced in 2015 to relieve number exhaustion in the large 740 numbering plan area. It encompasses a vast territory that surrounds, but does not include, the Columbus metropolitan area (which is primarily served by 614/380).
| Detail | Information |
| Area Code: | 220 (An overlay of the 740 area code) |
| State: | Ohio (OH), USA |
| Primary Location: | Southeastern and Central Ohio (outside of Columbus). |
| Time Zone: | Eastern Time (ET), observing EST (UTC-5) and EDT (UTC-4). |
| Type: | Overlay (Shares territory with 740) |
Major Cities Covered by 220/740
The 220 area code serves several prominent Ohio cities, often acting as regional hubs for surrounding rural areas:
- Newark (The largest city in the area code)
- Lancaster
- Marion
- Chillicothe
- Zanesville
- Athens (Home to Ohio University)
- Portsmouth
Mandatory Dialing Rules for Area Code 220
Because 220 is an overlay code, strict 10-digit dialing rules are in place across the entire 220/740 region.
10-Digit Dialing (Required for All Calls)
For all calls placed within the 220/740 region—whether you are calling a number with the same area code, a number with the overlay code, or a local number in the neighboring town—you must include the area code.
Area Code (220 or 740)+Seven-Digit Local Number
Example (Calling locally from Newark to Zanesville): or
Long-Distance Calls
To call a 220 number from outside the area (e.g., from Cleveland’s 216 area code or anywhere else in the US/Canada), you will typically dial the long-distance prefix ‘1’ first.
History and Consumer Considerations
The introduction of the 220 area code was a regulatory effort to manage the exploding demand for phone numbers across Ohio.
Background of the Overlay
Area code 740 was created in 1997 as a geographic split from the original 614 area code. By the mid-2010s, 740 began running out of numbers. Instead of splitting the large region again, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) implemented the 220 overlay in April 2015. This allowed all existing 740 customers to keep their numbers while all new phone lines in the region would be assigned a 220 number.
Spam and Fraud
The 220 area code is a standard domestic code and is not associated with high-cost international scams (like the Caribbean 809 or 473 codes). However, like any geographic code, it is subject to neighborhood spoofing, where scammers mimic a local number (e.g., 220-555-XXXX) to increase the likelihood that you will answer.
- Recommendation: Use your carrier’s spam-blocking service (like Verizon Call Filter) or your phone’s “Silence Unknown Callers” feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does area code 220 cover Columbus, Ohio?
No. The 220 area code surrounds the metropolitan Columbus area but does not cover the city center or most of Franklin County, which are primarily served by the 614 and 380 area codes.
If I move to the 220 region, can I keep my old number?
Yes, if you keep your service with a carrier who can port your number, you can usually keep an old out-of-area code number. However, if you order a new number or line, it will be assigned either a 220 or 740 area code.
What is the primary difference between a “split” and an “overlay”?
A split divides a region into two parts, forcing one part to change its area code (and making 7-digit dialing still possible in some cases). An overlay introduces a new area code across the existing region, preserving all existing numbers but requiring mandatory 10-digit dialing for everyone.
Conclusion
The 220 area code is a contemporary code for a large portion of Central and Southeastern Ohio, serving key communities like Newark, Lancaster, and Athens. If you communicate with this region, remember that 10-digit dialing is required for all calls due to the 220/740 overlay system.
