Area code
216
216 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Ohio, which has 15 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 216
Paste a full number and the tool checks it against the numbering plan. It returns the standard formats, the line type the plan assigns and the area code region.
Digits with or without punctuation work. Numbers outside the US are read with the +country code.
Area code 216 at a glance
NANPA lists 608 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 216, held by 39 holders across 4 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Prefixes in use | 608 |
| Pooled prefixes | 354 (58%) |
| Rate centers | 4 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 39 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-08 to 2026-07-30 (179 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 40 |
Rate centers in area code 216
The largest rate center is CLEVELAND, with 482 prefixes (79%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CLEVELAND | 482 | 79% |
| TERRACE | 53 | 9% |
| INDEPNDNCE | 41 | 7% |
| MONTRSE | 32 | 5% |
Who holds the prefixes in 216
Ohio Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 211 (35%). 58% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Bell Tel | 211 | 35% |
| Verizon Wireless | 84 | 14% |
| T-Mobile USA | 64 | 11% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 31 | 5% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services | 29 | 5% |
| Onvoy | 28 | 5% |
| 33 other carriers | 161 | 26% |
A prefix holder is the company a code was assigned to, not necessarily a number's current carrier, because numbers can be ported to another company. Find which carrier a number is on, or browse the prefix holders.
History of area code 216
- 1947-01-01 Area code 216 went into service.
- 1996-03-09 Area code 330 went into service and names 216 as its parent.
- 1997-08-16 Area code 440 went into service and names 216 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 216
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
ZIP codes in area code 216
40 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | 40 |
A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems. A ZIP code can sit in more than one area code, and an area code spans many ZIP codes.
Complaints on file for 216 numbers
3,950 FCC complaints are on file for 2,702 numbers in 216, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 154 |
| 2024 | 229 |
| 2025 | 182 |
Other area codes in Ohio
Ohio is one state with 15 area codes in the NANPA table. 216 is one of them.
Next to 216 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 216 when all are sorted by number. They are neighbours on the list, not necessarily on the map.
What the area code does and does not tell you
A number that starts with 216 was first assigned in Ohio. That is a fact about where the number began, and it is a useful hint when you check a form entry, for example a billing address in Ohio next to a 216 phone number.
It does not show where the person is today. A number stays with its owner after a move or a change of provider (number portability), and mobile numbers travel with the handset. The area code also cannot tell you whether the line is active, who the carrier is, or whether the number is mobile or fixed: the plan shares those ranges. Read more about the area code, the numbering plan and line type.
Check numbers in bulk with the API
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Numbering-Plan Validation | 1 credit per valid number | API docs |
| Phone Intelligence (carrier and line status) | 1 credit per check (invalid numbers outside the US and Canada are free) | Product page |
Questions about area code 216
Where is area code 216?
NANPA assigns area code 216 to Ohio, United States.
In which state does area code 216 sit?
Ohio. 216 is one of 15 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 216 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 216 are Cleveland, OH. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 216?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 216, Ohio Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 211 prefixes or 35%.
Which time zone does 216 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 216 as Eastern (E).
What year did 216 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 216 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 216 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 216.
Which area codes are nearest to 216?
The area codes closest to 216, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 440 (about 6 miles), 234 (about 41 miles), 330 (about 41 miles), 567 (about 100 miles) and 586 (about 102 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 216 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 608 prefixes in service in 216, spread over 4 rate centers and 39 holders.
Are there complaints about 216 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 3,950 complaints for 2,702 numbers in 216. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.
Area code assignments: North American Numbering Plan Administrator NPA report, file dated 10/17/2026, retrieved 2026-10-17. Source file. New codes are assigned several times a year. Prefixes, rate centers, holders, time zone, in-service date and overlays: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17 and NPA report dated 2026-10-18. Complaints: FCC consumer complaints open data, fetched 2026-10-17. ZIP code places: Postal code places and coordinates: GeoNames (geonames.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.