Area code
865
865 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Tennessee, which has 8 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 865
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 865 at a glance
NANPA lists 501 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 865, held by 46 holders across 33 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1999-11-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Prefixes in use | 501 |
| Pooled prefixes | 371 (74%) |
| Rate centers | 33 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 46 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-05 to 2026-07-02 (243 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 55 |
Rate centers in area code 865
The largest rate center is KNOXVILLE, with 275 prefixes (55%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| KNOXVILLE | 275 | 55% |
| MARYVILLE | 40 | 8% |
| OAK RIDGE | 20 | 4% |
| SEVIERVL | 14 | 3% |
| KINGSTON | 11 | 2% |
| LENOIRCITY | 11 | 2% |
| CONCORD | 9 | 2% |
| CLINTON | 8 | 2% |
| 25 other rate centers | 113 | 23% |
Who holds the prefixes in 865
South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 122 (24%). 74% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Central Bell Tel | 122 | 24% |
| Verizon Wireless | 50 | 10% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 48 | 10% |
| Paetec Itel | 44 | 9% |
| Onvoy | 32 | 6% |
| Powertel Nashville Licenses | 29 | 6% |
| 40 other carriers | 176 | 35% |
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 865
- 1995-09-11 Area code 423, named as the parent of 865 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 1999-11-01 Area code 865 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 865
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
- 423 about 6 mi
- 828 about 97 mi
- 606 about 117 mi
- 821 about 126 mi
- 864 about 132 mi
ZIP codes in area code 865
55 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | 31 |
| Maryville, TN | 4 |
| Clinton, TN | 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 865 numbers
2,089 FCC complaints are on file for 1,894 numbers in 865, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 94 |
| 2024 | 142 |
| 2025 | 183 |
Other area codes in Tennessee
Tennessee is one state with 8 area codes in the NANPA table. 865 is one of them.
Next to 865 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 865 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 865 was first assigned in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee next to a 865 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 865
Where is area code 865?
NANPA assigns area code 865 to Tennessee, United States.
In which state does area code 865 sit?
Tennessee. 865 is one of 8 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 865 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 865 are Knoxville, TN, Maryville, TN and Clinton, TN. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 865?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 865, South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 122 prefixes or 24%.
Which time zone does 865 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 865 as Eastern (E).
What year did 865 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1999-11-01, so 865 has been in use since 1999.
Does area code 865 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 865.
Which area codes are nearest to 865?
The area codes closest to 865, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 423 (about 6 miles), 828 (about 97 miles), 606 (about 117 miles), 821 (about 126 miles) and 864 (about 132 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 865 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 501 prefixes in service in 865, spread over 33 rate centers and 46 holders.
Are there complaints about 865 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,089 complaints for 1,894 numbers in 865. 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.