---
title: "Area code 316: Kansas, United States"
url: "https://lookvalid.com/area-code/316.md"
canonical_url: "https://lookvalid.com/area-code/316"
last_updated: "2026-10-23"
type: "reference"
summary: "Area code 316 serves Kansas, United States. Number formats, numbering rules, a live phone validator and the other codes in Kansas."
---

# Area code 316: Kansas, United States

Area code 316 serves Kansas, United States. Number formats, numbering rules, a live phone validator and the other codes in Kansas.

NANPA lists 338 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 316, held by 39 holders across 14 rate centers.
The largest rate center is WICHITA, with 239 prefixes (71%).
Southwestern Bell holds the most prefixes, 114 (34%). 77% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
The FCC unwanted-call data has 1,627 complaints on file for 1,406 numbers in 316, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are consumer reports, not findings.

## Facts

- In service since: 1947-01-01
- Time zone: Central (C)
- Prefixes in use: 338
- Pooled prefixes: 261 (77%)
- Rate centers: 14
- Companies holding prefixes: 39
- Assignment dates on file: 2001-03-05 to 2025-12-22 (123 prefixes)
- ZIP codes in its places: 44

## Rate centers

| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WICHITA | 239 | 71% |
| NEWTON | 18 | 5% |
| EL DORADO | 17 | 5% |
| GODDARD | 11 | 3% |
| WHITEWATER | 9 | 3% |
| TOWANDA | 8 | 2% |
| ANDALE | 6 | 2% |
| CHENEY | 5 | 1% |
| 6 other rate centers | 25 | 7% |

## Carriers

| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Southwestern Bell | 114 | 34% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 35 | 10% |
| T-Mobile USA | 29 | 9% |
| Level 3 Communications | 28 | 8% |
| Onvoy | 20 | 6% |
| Paetec Itel | 18 | 5% |
| 33 other carriers | 94 | 28% |

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.

## History

- 1947-01-01: Area code 316 went into service.
- 2001-02-03: Area code 620 went into service and names 316 as its parent.

## Nearest area codes

The area codes closest to 316, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 620 (about 20 miles), 785 (about 104 miles), 539 (about 150 miles), 918 (about 152 miles) and 913 (about 157 miles).

## ZIP codes

44 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code. The places with the most are Wichita, KS (32 ZIP codes), Andale, KS (1 ZIP code) and Benton, KS (1 ZIP code). A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems, so a ZIP code can sit in more than one area code and an area code spans many ZIP codes.

## Complaints on file

1,627 complaints for 1,406 numbers. Numbers whose latest complaint falls in each year:

- 2023: 128
- 2024: 154
- 2025: 123

## Questions

### Where is area code 316?

NANPA assigns area code 316 to Kansas, United States.

### In which state does area code 316 sit?

Kansas. 316 is one of 4 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.

### Which places does area code 316 cover?

The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 316 are Wichita, KS, Andale, KS and Benton, KS. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.

### Who owns area code 316?

NANPA assigns area codes. Within 316, Southwestern Bell holds the most prefixes, 114 prefixes or 34%.

### Which time zone does 316 use?

The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 316 as Central (C).

### What year did 316 enter service?

The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 316 has been in use since 1947.

### Does area code 316 have an overlay?

The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 316.

### Which area codes are nearest to 316?

The area codes closest to 316, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 620 (about 20 miles), 785 (about 104 miles), 539 (about 150 miles), 918 (about 152 miles) and 913 (about 157 miles).

### How many prefixes does area code 316 have?

NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 338 prefixes in service in 316, spread over 14 rate centers and 39 holders.

### Are there complaints about 316 numbers?

The FCC data on file has 1,627 complaints for 1,406 numbers in 316. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.

Sources: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17; NANPA NPA report dated 2026-10-18; FCC unwanted-call complaints, data fetched 2026-10-17; ZIP code places from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).