Area code
402
402 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Nebraska, which has 3 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 402
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 402 at a glance
NANPA lists 782 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 402, held by 57 holders across 281 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Assigned overlays | 531 (2011-03-26) |
| Prefixes in use | 782 |
| Pooled prefixes | 563 (72%) |
| Rate centers | 281 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 57 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-02-21 to 2024-07-08 (164 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 330 |
Rate centers in area code 402
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OMAHA | 268 | 34% |
| LINCOLN | 80 | 10% |
| NORFOLK | 19 | 2% |
| FREMONT | 15 | 2% |
| HASTINGS | 12 | 2% |
| COLUMBUS | 9 | 1% |
| BEATRICE | 8 | 1% |
| YORK | 7 | <1% |
| 273 other rate centers | 364 | 47% |
Who holds the prefixes in 402
Windstream Nebraska holds the most prefixes, 185 (24%). 72% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Windstream Nebraska | 185 | 24% |
| Qwest | 160 | 20% |
| Verizon Wireless | 110 | 14% |
| Aerial Communications | 35 | 4% |
| Great Plains Communications | 33 | 4% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 22 | 3% |
| 51 other carriers | 237 | 30% |
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 402
- 1947-01-01 Area code 402 went into service.
- 2011-03-26 Area code 531 went into service as an overlay in the same area as 402.
Area codes nearest to 402
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
Overlay codes in the same area
ZIP codes in area code 402
330 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 48 |
| Lincoln, NE | 29 |
| Blair, NE | 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 402 numbers
3,350 FCC complaints are on file for 2,593 numbers in 402, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 105 |
| 2024 | 124 |
| 2025 | 83 |
Other area codes in Nebraska
Nebraska is one state with 3 area codes in the NANPA table. 402 is one of them.
Next to 402 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 402 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 402 was first assigned in Nebraska. 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 Nebraska next to a 402 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 402
Where is area code 402?
NANPA assigns area code 402 to Nebraska, United States.
In which state does area code 402 sit?
Nebraska. 402 is one of 3 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 402 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 402 are Omaha, NE, Lincoln, NE and Blair, NE. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 402?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 402, Windstream Nebraska holds the most prefixes, 185 prefixes or 24%.
Which time zone does 402 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 402 as Central (C).
What year did 402 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 402 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 402 have an overlay?
Yes. 531 (in service 2011-03-26) shares the same area with 402, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 402?
The area codes closest to 402, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 712 (about 107 miles), 785 (about 139 miles), 308 (about 177 miles), 515 (about 177 miles) and 816 (about 191 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 402 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 782 prefixes in service in 402, spread over 281 rate centers and 57 holders.
Are there complaints about 402 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 3,350 complaints for 2,593 numbers in 402. 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.