Area code
505
505 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to New Mexico, which has 2 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 505
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 505 at a glance
NANPA lists 683 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 505, held by 46 holders across 34 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Mountain (M) |
| Prefixes in use | 683 |
| Pooled prefixes | 446 (65%) |
| Rate centers | 34 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 46 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-03-16 to 2026-02-23 (362 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 42 |
Rate centers in area code 505
The largest rate center is ALBUQURQUE, with 375 prefixes (55%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ALBUQURQUE | 375 | 55% |
| SANTA FE | 68 | 10% |
| FARMINGTON | 66 | 10% |
| GALLUP | 35 | 5% |
| AZTEC | 20 | 3% |
| LOS ALAMOS | 16 | 2% |
| LAS VEGAS | 15 | 2% |
| GRANTS | 14 | 2% |
| 26 other rate centers | 74 | 11% |
Who holds the prefixes in 505
Qwest holds the most prefixes, 184 (27%). 65% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Qwest | 184 | 27% |
| Verizon Wireless | 98 | 14% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 76 | 11% |
| T-Mobile USA | 65 | 10% |
| Onvoy | 54 | 8% |
| Bandwidth.com CLEC | 24 | 4% |
| 40 other carriers | 182 | 27% |
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 505
- 1947-01-01 Area code 505 went into service.
- 2007-10-07 Area code 575 went into service and names 505 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 505
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 505
42 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | 11 |
| Farmington, NM | 3 |
| Gallup, NM | 3 |
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 505 numbers
2,711 FCC complaints are on file for 2,147 numbers in 505, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 143 |
| 2024 | 136 |
| 2025 | 115 |
Other area codes in New Mexico
New Mexico is one state with 2 area codes in the NANPA table. 505 is one of them.
Next to 505 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 505 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 505 was first assigned in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico next to a 505 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 505
Where is area code 505?
NANPA assigns area code 505 to New Mexico, United States.
In which state does area code 505 sit?
New Mexico. 505 is one of 2 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 505 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 505 are Santa Fe, NM, Farmington, NM and Gallup, NM. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 505?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 505, Qwest holds the most prefixes, 184 prefixes or 27%.
Which time zone does 505 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 505 as Mountain (M).
What year did 505 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 505 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 505 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 505.
Which area codes are nearest to 505?
The area codes closest to 505, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 575 (about 157 miles), 719 (about 218 miles), 970 (about 267 miles), 928 (about 275 miles) and 915 (about 285 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 505 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 683 prefixes in service in 505, spread over 34 rate centers and 46 holders.
Are there complaints about 505 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,711 complaints for 2,147 numbers in 505. 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.