Phone number reference · United States
312 area code
Central Chicago, including the downtown area.
312 is associated with central Chicago, while 773 serves much of the rest of the city. The 872 overlay crosses both numbering regions. A business with downtown and neighborhood customers should not assume that every Chicago caller will have a 312 number.
Central Chicago
Geographic code · In service
312 at a glance
- Region
- Central Chicago
- Time zone
- Central Time
- In service since
- 01-Jan-1947
- Overlay arrangement
- 312/872
Numbering details checked September 21, 2026 against the NANPA database. See the official area-code maps for boundaries.
Questions about 312
What is the difference between 312, 773 and 872?
312 is the central Chicago code and 773 serves much of the rest of Chicago. 872 overlays both. All three can identify Chicago-area numbers without identifying where a caller is now.
Is a 312 call safe to answer?
The 312 prefix identifies a numbering region, not a caller's identity or trustworthiness. Verify an unexpected request by contacting the organization through a number you already know.
Can I get a 312 business number?
Search the available numbers in VeraDial. Inventory changes, so a 312 number is not guaranteed. You can also keep your current carrier number and forward voice calls to a VeraDial line; existing texts stay with your carrier.
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