Area code
612
612 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Minnesota, which has 8 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 612
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 612 at a glance
NANPA lists 588 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 612, held by 36 holders across 2 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 588 |
| Pooled prefixes | 327 (56%) |
| Rate centers | 2 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 36 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-26 to 2025-12-16 (223 prefixes) |
Rate centers in area code 612
The largest rate center is TWINCITIES, with 586 prefixes (100%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TWINCITIES | 586 | 100% |
| CAMBRIDGE | 2 | <1% |
Who holds the prefixes in 612
Qwest holds the most prefixes, 145 (25%). 56% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Qwest | 145 | 25% |
| Verizon Wireless | 95 | 16% |
| Aerial Communications | 93 | 16% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 65 | 11% |
| Onvoy | 27 | 5% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services | 23 | 4% |
| 30 other carriers | 140 | 24% |
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 612
- 1947-01-01 Area code 612 went into service.
- 1996-03-17 Area code 320 went into service and names 612 as its parent.
- 1998-07-12 Area code 651 went into service and names 612 as its parent.
- 2000-02-27 Area code 763 went into service and names 612 as its parent.
- 2000-02-27 Area code 952 went into service and names 612 as its parent.
Complaints on file for 612 numbers
2,682 FCC complaints are on file for 2,088 numbers in 612, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 92 |
| 2024 | 100 |
| 2025 | 86 |
Other area codes in Minnesota
Minnesota is one state with 8 area codes in the NANPA table. 612 is one of them.
Next to 612 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 612 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 612 was first assigned in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota next to a 612 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 612
Where is area code 612?
NANPA assigns area code 612 to Minnesota, United States.
In which state does area code 612 sit?
Minnesota. 612 is one of 8 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Who owns area code 612?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 612, Qwest holds the most prefixes, 145 prefixes or 25%.
Which time zone does 612 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 612 as Central (C).
What year did 612 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 612 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 612 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 612.
How many prefixes does area code 612 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 588 prefixes in service in 612, spread over 2 rate centers and 36 holders.
Are there complaints about 612 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,682 complaints for 2,088 numbers in 612. 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.