If you have encountered a phone number with the 501 area code and believe it is located in California, this is a common geographic error.
The Area Code 501 is definitively not located in California. The 501 area code is the primary telephone code for central Arkansas, encompassing the state’s capital and largest city, Little Rock. California uses an entirely different set of area codes, including 213, 310, 415, 510, and others, none of which are 501.
This guide will set the record straight on the 501 area code’s location, the major cities it serves, and provide a list of California’s most popular area codes to help you correctly identify a California-based number.
501 Area Code: The True Location
Area Code 501 has a long history, dating back to 1947 when the U.S. first introduced the nationwide telephone numbering plan.
Geographic Coverage
- State: Arkansas (AR)
- Major City: Little Rock (State Capital)
- Region: Central Arkansas, covering the core metropolitan area of Little Rock.
- Counties Covered: Primarily Pulaski, Faulkner, Garland, Lonoke, Saline, and White counties.
Major Cities in the 501 Area
The 501 area code covers the most densely populated region of Arkansas, including:
- Little Rock
- North Little Rock
- Conway
- Hot Springs
- Benton
- Sherwood
Time Zone
The entire 501 Numbering Plan Area operates within the Central Time Zone (CT).
California Area Codes: Why 501 Doesn’t Fit
California is one of the most area code-rich states in the U.S., using over 40 distinct codes. A California number will always begin with a code designated to the state (the first three digits of the phone number).
Common California Area Codes
| Area Code | Geographic Location (Major City) |
| 213 / 323 | Los Angeles (downtown/central) |
| 310 / 424 | Los Angeles (Westside/South Bay) |
| 415 / 628 | San Francisco / Marin County |
| 510 | Oakland / East Bay |
| 559 / 357 | Fresno / Central Valley |
| 619 / 858 | San Diego |
| 650 | San Mateo / Palo Alto (Silicon Valley) |
| 916 / 279 | Sacramento |
If you received a call from a number you thought was in California, double-check the first three digits and refer to a reliable area code map for the correct state location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Area Code 501 a Toll-Free Number?
No. Area Code 501 is a standard geographic area code. Toll-free numbers in the U.S. and Canada use prefixes like 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833.
Is there an area code in California that starts with 50?
Yes. The California area code closest in digits to 501 is 503, but this code belongs to Portland, Oregon (and its overlay 971). California does use 510 (Oakland) and 559 (Fresno).
What should I do if I get a call from a 501 number I don’t know?
If you are not expecting a call from Little Rock or central Arkansas, it is advisable to let the call go to voicemail. As with any unknown number, the caller may be a telemarketer or a scammer using number spoofing. Never provide personal or financial information to an unsolicited caller.
Conclusion
The search for the “501 area code California” points directly to a clear answer: the code belongs to central Arkansas. Any time you see a number starting with 501, you are looking at a number based in the Little Rock metropolitan region, firmly located in the Central Time Zone, not the Pacific Time Zone of California.
