Area code
985
985 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Louisiana, which has 6 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 985
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.
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Area code 985 at a glance
NANPA lists 447 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 985, held by 33 holders across 45 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 2001-02-12 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 447 |
| Pooled prefixes | 334 (75%) |
| Rate centers | 45 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 33 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-25 to 2026-04-13 (209 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 51 |
Rate centers in area code 985
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| HOUMA | 53 | 12% |
| HAMMOND | 44 | 10% |
| SLIDELL | 39 | 9% |
| COVINGTON | 32 | 7% |
| MORGANCITY | 25 | 6% |
| MANDEVILLE | 23 | 5% |
| THIBODAUX | 22 | 5% |
| LAPLACE | 16 | 4% |
| 37 other rate centers | 193 | 43% |
Who holds the prefixes in 985
South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 108 (24%). 75% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Central Bell Tel | 108 | 24% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 67 | 15% |
| Paetec Itel | 35 | 8% |
| Verizon Wireless | 35 | 8% |
| Onvoy | 28 | 6% |
| Level 3 Communications | 24 | 5% |
| 27 other carriers | 150 | 34% |
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 985
- 1947-01-01 Area code 504, named as the parent of 985 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 2001-02-12 Area code 985 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 985
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 985
51 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Slidell, LA | 5 |
| Hammond, LA | 4 |
| Houma, LA | 4 |
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 985 numbers
1,326 FCC complaints are on file for 963 numbers in 985, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2025 | 105 |
Other area codes in Louisiana
Louisiana is one state with 6 area codes in the NANPA table. 985 is one of them.
Next to 985 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 985 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 985 was first assigned in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana next to a 985 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 985
Where is area code 985?
NANPA assigns area code 985 to Louisiana, United States.
In which state does area code 985 sit?
Louisiana. 985 is one of 6 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 985 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 985 are Slidell, LA, Hammond, LA and Houma, LA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 985?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 985, South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 108 prefixes or 24%.
Which time zone does 985 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 985 as Central (C).
What year did 985 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 2001-02-12, so 985 has been in use since 2001.
Does area code 985 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 985.
Which area codes are nearest to 985?
The area codes closest to 985, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 504 (about 22 miles), 225 (about 50 miles), 228 (about 96 miles), 769 (about 131 miles) and 337 (about 132 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 985 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 447 prefixes in service in 985, spread over 45 rate centers and 33 holders.
Are there complaints about 985 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 1,326 complaints for 963 numbers in 985. 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.