Area code
515
515 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Iowa, which has 5 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 515
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 515 at a glance
NANPA lists 577 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 515, held by 71 holders across 98 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 577 |
| Pooled prefixes | 426 (74%) |
| Rate centers | 98 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 71 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-10 to 2026-03-31 (282 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 152 |
Rate centers in area code 515
The largest rate center is DES MOINES, with 257 prefixes (45%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DES MOINES | 257 | 45% |
| AMES | 38 | 7% |
| WINTERSET | 17 | 3% |
| FORT DODGE | 14 | 2% |
| BOONE | 13 | 2% |
| PLEASANTVL | 11 | 2% |
| INDIANOLA | 9 | 2% |
| ALGONA | 8 | 1% |
| 90 other rate centers | 210 | 36% |
Who holds the prefixes in 515
Qwest holds the most prefixes, 146 (25%). 74% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Qwest | 146 | 25% |
| Verizon Wireless | 54 | 9% |
| T-Mobile USA | 47 | 8% |
| United States Cellular | 44 | 8% |
| Onvoy | 26 | 5% |
| MCC Telephony Of Iowa | 23 | 4% |
| 65 other carriers | 237 | 41% |
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 515
- 1947-01-01 Area code 515 went into service.
- 2000-07-09 Area code 641 went into service and names 515 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 515
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 515
152 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 57 |
| Ames, IA | 5 |
| Boone, IA | 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 515 numbers
2,516 FCC complaints are on file for 1,695 numbers in 515, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 101 |
| 2024 | 75 |
| 2025 | 101 |
Other area codes in Iowa
Iowa is one state with 5 area codes in the NANPA table. 515 is one of them.
Next to 515 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 515 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 515 was first assigned in Iowa. 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 Iowa next to a 515 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 515
Where is area code 515?
NANPA assigns area code 515 to Iowa, United States.
In which state does area code 515 sit?
Iowa. 515 is one of 5 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 515 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 515 are Des Moines, IA, Ames, IA and Boone, IA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 515?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 515, Qwest holds the most prefixes, 146 prefixes or 25%.
Which time zone does 515 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 515 as Central (C).
What year did 515 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 515 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 515 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 515.
Which area codes are nearest to 515?
The area codes closest to 515, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 641 (about 33 miles), 712 (about 85 miles), 319 (about 104 miles), 507 (about 136 miles) and 563 (about 141 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 515 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 577 prefixes in service in 515, spread over 98 rate centers and 71 holders.
Are there complaints about 515 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,516 complaints for 1,695 numbers in 515. 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.