Area code
262
262 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Wisconsin, which has 8 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 262
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 262 at a glance
NANPA lists 633 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 262, held by 46 holders across 60 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1999-09-25 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 633 |
| Pooled prefixes | 484 (76%) |
| Rate centers | 60 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 46 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-17 to 2026-07-28 (243 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 61 |
Rate centers in area code 262
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| WAUKESHA | 74 | 12% |
| MILWAUKZN2 | 66 | 10% |
| RACINE | 53 | 8% |
| KENOSHA | 49 | 8% |
| LAKEGENEVA | 23 | 4% |
| WEST BEND | 22 | 3% |
| MENOMONFLS | 19 | 3% |
| OCONOMOWOC | 19 | 3% |
| 52 other rate centers | 308 | 49% |
Who holds the prefixes in 262
Wisconsin Bell holds the most prefixes, 142 (22%). 76% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Bell | 142 | 22% |
| Teleport Communications America, LLC Wi | 52 | 8% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 47 | 7% |
| T-Mobile USA | 42 | 7% |
| Onvoy | 39 | 6% |
| Level 3 Communications | 38 | 6% |
| 40 other carriers | 273 | 43% |
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 262
- 1947-01-01 Area code 414, named as the parent of 262 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 1999-09-25 Area code 262 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 262
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
- 224 about 53 mi
- 847 about 54 mi
- 312 about 65 mi
- 353 about 65 mi
- 630 about 71 mi
ZIP codes in area code 262
61 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Racine, WI | 8 |
| Kenosha, WI | 5 |
| Waukesha, WI | 4 |
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 262 numbers
2,324 FCC complaints are on file for 1,921 numbers in 262, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 95 |
| 2024 | 162 |
| 2025 | 160 |
Other area codes in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is one state with 8 area codes in the NANPA table. 262 is one of them.
Next to 262 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 262 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 262 was first assigned in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin next to a 262 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 262
Where is area code 262?
NANPA assigns area code 262 to Wisconsin, United States.
In which state does area code 262 sit?
Wisconsin. 262 is one of 8 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 262 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 262 are Racine, WI, Kenosha, WI and Waukesha, WI. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 262?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 262, Wisconsin Bell holds the most prefixes, 142 prefixes or 22%.
Which time zone does 262 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 262 as Central (C).
What year did 262 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1999-09-25, so 262 has been in use since 1999.
Does area code 262 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 262.
Which area codes are nearest to 262?
The area codes closest to 262, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 224 (about 53 miles), 847 (about 54 miles), 312 (about 65 miles), 353 (about 65 miles) and 630 (about 71 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 262 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 633 prefixes in service in 262, spread over 60 rate centers and 46 holders.
Are there complaints about 262 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,324 complaints for 1,921 numbers in 262. 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.