Area code
502
502 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Kentucky, which has 5 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 502
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 502 at a glance
NANPA lists 731 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 502, held by 49 holders across 36 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Assigned overlays | 761 |
| Prefixes in use | 731 |
| Pooled prefixes | 504 (69%) |
| Rate centers | 36 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 49 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-02-06 to 2026-07-30 (358 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 97 |
Rate centers in area code 502
The largest rate center is LOUISVILLE, with 398 prefixes (54%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| LOUISVILLE | 398 | 54% |
| FRANKFORT | 41 | 6% |
| BARDSTOWN | 28 | 4% |
| LA GRANGE | 23 | 3% |
| ROSETRRACE | 22 | 3% |
| GEORGETOWN | 18 | 2% |
| SHELBYVL | 18 | 2% |
| LAWRENCEBG | 16 | 2% |
| 28 other rate centers | 167 | 23% |
Who holds the prefixes in 502
South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 191 (26%). 69% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Central Bell Tel | 191 | 26% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 87 | 12% |
| Powertel Kentucky Licenses | 55 | 8% |
| Verizon Wireless | 53 | 7% |
| Onvoy | 49 | 7% |
| Level 3 Communications | 36 | 5% |
| 43 other carriers | 260 | 36% |
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 502
- 1947-01-01 Area code 502 went into service.
- 1999-04-19 Area code 270 went into service and names 502 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 502
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
- 859 about 55 mi
- 930 about 73 mi
- 812 about 76 mi
- 283 about 87 mi
- 513 about 87 mi
Overlay codes in the same area
- 761
ZIP codes in area code 502
97 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | 66 |
| Frankfort, KY | 9 |
| La Grange, KY | 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 502 numbers
5,756 FCC complaints are on file for 4,478 numbers in 502, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 306 |
| 2024 | 189 |
| 2025 | 332 |
Other area codes in Kentucky
Kentucky is one state with 5 area codes in the NANPA table. 502 is one of them.
Next to 502 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 502 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 502 was first assigned in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky next to a 502 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 502
Where is area code 502?
NANPA assigns area code 502 to Kentucky, United States.
In which state does area code 502 sit?
Kentucky. 502 is one of 5 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 502 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 502 are Louisville, KY, Frankfort, KY and La Grange, KY. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 502?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 502, South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 191 prefixes or 26%.
Which time zone does 502 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 502 as Eastern (E).
What year did 502 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 502 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 502 have an overlay?
Yes. 761 shares the same area with 502, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 502?
The area codes closest to 502, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 859 (about 55 miles), 930 (about 73 miles), 812 (about 76 miles), 283 (about 87 miles) and 513 (about 87 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 502 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 731 prefixes in service in 502, spread over 36 rate centers and 49 holders.
Are there complaints about 502 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 5,756 complaints for 4,478 numbers in 502. 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.