Area code
501
501 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Arkansas, which has 4 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 501
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 501 at a glance
NANPA lists 628 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 501, held by 46 holders across 61 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 628 |
| Pooled prefixes | 475 (76%) |
| Rate centers | 61 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 46 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-18 to 2026-08-12 (254 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 71 |
Rate centers in area code 501
The largest rate center is LITTLEROCK, with 252 prefixes (40%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| LITTLEROCK | 252 | 40% |
| HOTSPRINGS | 40 | 6% |
| CONWAY | 35 | 6% |
| BENTON | 28 | 4% |
| SEARCY | 21 | 3% |
| CABOT | 15 | 2% |
| MALVERN | 12 | 2% |
| SYVNHLSHWD | 12 | 2% |
| 53 other rate centers | 213 | 34% |
Who holds the prefixes in 501
Southwestern Bell holds the most prefixes, 160 (25%). 76% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Bell | 160 | 25% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 86 | 14% |
| Verizon Wireless | 54 | 9% |
| Level 3 Communications | 48 | 8% |
| T-Mobile USA | 42 | 7% |
| Onvoy | 39 | 6% |
| 40 other carriers | 199 | 32% |
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 501
- 1947-01-01 Area code 501 went into service.
- 1997-04-14 Area code 870 went into service and names 501 as its parent.
- 2002-01-19 Area code 479 went into service and names 501 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 501
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 501
71 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 25 |
| Benton, AR | 4 |
| Conway, AR | 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 501 numbers
2,318 FCC complaints are on file for 1,829 numbers in 501, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 90 |
| 2024 | 94 |
| 2025 | 121 |
Other area codes in Arkansas
Arkansas is one state with 4 area codes in the NANPA table. 501 is one of them.
Next to 501 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 501 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 501 was first assigned in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas next to a 501 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 501
Where is area code 501?
NANPA assigns area code 501 to Arkansas, United States.
In which state does area code 501 sit?
Arkansas. 501 is one of 4 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 501 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 501 are Little Rock, AR, Benton, AR and Conway, AR. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 501?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 501, Southwestern Bell holds the most prefixes, 160 prefixes or 25%.
Which time zone does 501 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 501 as Central (C).
What year did 501 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 501 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 501 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 501.
Which area codes are nearest to 501?
The area codes closest to 501, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 870 (about 16 miles), 327 (about 48 miles), 479 (about 107 miles), 901 (about 137 miles) and 662 (about 171 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 501 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 628 prefixes in service in 501, spread over 61 rate centers and 46 holders.
Are there complaints about 501 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,318 complaints for 1,829 numbers in 501. 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.