308
The Nebraska Prefix Covering Two-Thirds of the State
See exactly which western and central Nebraska cities the 308 area code covers, why it still has no overlay, and how to get a local number there.
NE · 3 Area Codes
Nebraska
Area Codes
Nebraska's area codes are 308, 402 and 531. Nebraska's economy leans on agriculture and insurance, centered around Omaha, Lincoln, and Bellevue. Get a local virtual phone number with any Nebraska area code.
3 area codes
Original code 402 · 1947
Capital: Lincoln
Carrier-grade network
// Why NE Virtual Numbers
Why businesses choose a Nebraska virtual number
A local Nebraska number shows callers which part of the state you serve.
1947
402 first assigned
402 came first, in 1947
402 was Nebraska's original area code, assigned in 1947. The newest, 531, arrived in 2011. Each of the 3 codes below maps to its own part of the state, so the code you pick shows which region you serve.
01 — Nebraska at a Glance
Nebraska, by the numbers.
Area code 402 covered the entire state of Nebraska when the numbering plan launched in 1947.
In 1954, 308 split off to cover the western and central plains, leaving 402 for the east, including Lincoln and Omaha.
Wireless growth in the 1990s and 2000s pressured the fast-growing Omaha-Lincoln corridor, so regulators added an overlay, 531, authorized in 2011.
Today 308 still covers western Nebraska, while 402 and 531 share the more densely populated east.
Did you know?
Nebraska's westernmost area code, 308, covers roughly two-thirds of the state's land area but only a small fraction of its population, since the Omaha-Lincoln corridor packed into the 402/531 region holds the majority of Nebraskans.
// 3 area codes
Area codes in Nebraska
Select any area code to read about it and get a local virtual number for that region of Nebraska.
402
Omaha and Lincoln's Prefix After the 531 Overlay
See exactly which eastern Nebraska cities the 402 area code covers, what the 531 overlay changed in 2011, and how to get a local Omaha or Lincoln number.
531
The Overlay Behind Nebraska's Powerhouse
The 531 area code overlays 402 across eastern Nebraska, home to Omaha and Lincoln. See what it covers, why ten digits are required, and what a 531 call signals.
// Calling Nebraska
Calling Nebraska: what to know
Time zones, dialing rules and area code status, with the sources we checked.
Time zone
Most of Nebraska is on Central Time. The western part of the state, including the Panhandle, is on Mountain Time. Both zones observe daylight saving time. The boundary is set in federal regulations (49 CFR 71.7), so check which zone a contact is in before scheduling a call.
Dialing
Ten-digit dialing has been required for local calls in the 402 area since February 26, 2011, when the Nebraska Public Service Commission's rule took effect, according to Omaha's public radio station KIOS. Nebraska was not on the FCC's 2021 list of area codes forced to ten digits.
Area code status
531 is an overlay on 402 and covers eastern Nebraska. Wikipedia reports that the overlay was set up in 2011 and that the first 531 numbers were not assigned until February 2013. 308 covers the west and central part of the state, and we found no announced relief plan for it.
Good to know
- 402 was Nebraska's original statewide area code in 1947. 308 was split off for the western part of the state in 1954.
- 402 and 531 serve eastern Nebraska, including Omaha and Lincoln. 308 serves Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, McCook, Scottsbluff and Chadron.
Frequently Asked
Nebraska number questions answered.
Everything you need to know before getting a Nebraska virtual phone number.
Nebraska has 3 active area codes: 308, 402, 531. Rozper offers virtual phone numbers in these codes, which you can browse and choose from one dashboard.
402 is Nebraska's original area code, assigned in 1947. The most recent addition, 531, followed in 2011.
No. Virtual numbers are location-independent. A business based anywhere in the U.S. or internationally can get a Nebraska area code and route calls to any device, team, or call center.
Nebraska's capital is Lincoln, and the state keeps Central time (parts of the state use a neighbouring zone). Its population is about 2,005,000, across 93 counties.
Ten-digit dialing has been required for local calls in the 402 area since February 26, 2011, when the Nebraska Public Service Commission's rule took effect, according to Omaha's public radio station KIOS. Nebraska was not on the FCC's 2021 list of area codes forced to ten digits.
531 is an overlay on 402 and covers eastern Nebraska. Wikipedia reports that the overlay was set up in 2011 and that the first 531 numbers were not assigned until February 2013. 308 covers the west and central part of the state, and we found no announced relief plan for it.
Nebraska's economy centers on agriculture and insurance, with Omaha, Lincoln, and Bellevue as the main business hubs. Omaha is home to Berkshire Hathaway's headquarters.
Questions about Nebraska numbers? Get in touch.
// Next door
States that border Nebraska
Customers and teams near the Nebraskaline often use a neighbouring state's codes. Here are the area codes next door.
Ready for a Nebraska number?
Choose 308, 402 or 531 and talk to us about setting up your number.