Area code
218
218 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Minnesota, which has 8 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 218
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 218 at a glance
NANPA lists 706 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 218, held by 79 holders across 238 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 706 |
| Pooled prefixes | 442 (63%) |
| Rate centers | 238 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 79 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-14 to 2026-04-14 (310 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 200 |
Rate centers in area code 218
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DULUTH | 78 | 11% |
| BRAINERD | 27 | 4% |
| BEMIDJI | 21 | 3% |
| MOORHEAD | 21 | 3% |
| VIRGINIA | 17 | 2% |
| FERGUS FLS | 14 | 2% |
| HIBBING | 14 | 2% |
| DETROITLKS | 13 | 2% |
| 230 other rate centers | 501 | 71% |
Who holds the prefixes in 218
Qwest holds the most prefixes, 85 (12%). 63% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Qwest | 85 | 12% |
| Verizon Wireless | 84 | 12% |
| Onvoy | 61 | 9% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 49 | 7% |
| Citizens Telecom CO Mn-Frontier Citizens Com-Mn | 46 | 7% |
| Aerial Communications | 29 | 4% |
| 73 other carriers | 352 | 50% |
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 218
- 1947-01-01 Area code 218 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 218
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 218
200 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 14 |
| Moorhead, MN | 4 |
| Bemidji, MN | 2 |
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 218 numbers
1,811 FCC complaints are on file for 1,327 numbers in 218, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 102 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 61 |
Other area codes in Minnesota
Minnesota is one state with 8 area codes in the NANPA table. 218 is one of them.
Next to 218 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 218 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 218 was first assigned in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota next to a 218 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 218
Where is area code 218?
NANPA assigns area code 218 to Minnesota, United States.
In which state does area code 218 sit?
Minnesota. 218 is one of 8 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 218 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 218 are Duluth, MN, Moorhead, MN and Bemidji, MN. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 218?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 218, Qwest holds the most prefixes, 85 prefixes or 12%.
Which time zone does 218 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 218 as Central (C).
What year did 218 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 218 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 218 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 218.
Which area codes are nearest to 218?
The area codes closest to 218, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 320 (about 128 miles), 763 (about 138 miles), 952 (about 184 miles), 651 (about 203 miles) and 507 (about 229 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 218 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 706 prefixes in service in 218, spread over 238 rate centers and 79 holders.
Are there complaints about 218 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 1,811 complaints for 1,327 numbers in 218. 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.