The 260 area code serves northeast Indiana, the region anchored by Fort Wayne, the state’s second-largest city. Created in 2002 when it split from 219, 260 covers the corner of Indiana bordering Ohio and Michigan.
Quick Summary of the 260 Area Code
| Area Code | 260 |
| State | Indiana (IN) |
| Region | Northeast Indiana (Fort Wayne) |
| Major Cities | Fort Wayne, New Haven, Auburn, Huntington, Bluffton, Decatur, Kendallville, Angola |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 260 area code covers the northeastern corner of Indiana, centered on Fort Wayne and its suburb New Haven, and extending to Auburn and Kendallville to the north, Angola near the Michigan and Ohio lines, Huntington and Bluffton to the southwest, and Decatur to the south. It borders Ohio to the east and sits between the 574 area code and the state line.
Time Zone
The 260 area code observes Eastern Time (ET). Clocks follow Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) in winter and shift to Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) from mid-March through early November. Most of Indiana is on Eastern Time, though the northwest corner near Chicago and the Evansville area in the southwest observe Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is three hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 260 number at 12:00 PM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 260 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 260 Number
Area code 260 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (260 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 260, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 260 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 260 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Fort Wayne, New Haven, Auburn, Huntington, Bluffton, Decatur, Kendallville, Angola should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Threatening calls demanding immediate tax payment via gift cards or wire transfer. |
| Utility Shut-off | Impostors claiming to be Indiana Michigan Power threatening to cut power. |
| Tech Support Fraud | Pop-ups or calls claiming your computer is infected and asking for remote access. |
| Prize / Lottery Scam | Calls saying you won a prize but must pay a “fee” or “tax” to claim it. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 260 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (AES Indiana, Duke Energy, or NIPSCO) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 260 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 260 Region
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Area code 260 was created in 2002, split from 219, to serve northeast Indiana as the northern half of the state ran low on numbers. Fort Wayne, the region’s hub and the second-largest city in Indiana, has a diverse economy built on advanced manufacturing, defense electronics (including a major Raytheon operation), insurance, and healthcare. The surrounding counties add automotive-related manufacturing – Auburn has a proud automotive heritage as the former home of the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg luxury carmakers – along with agriculture and the lake-country tourism of the Angola area near Pokagon State Park.
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Looking Up a 260 Number
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To identify a 260 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Fort Wayne-area businesses, hospitals, and government offices publish their 260 numbers widely, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Indiana is served by several area codes. If you are researching 260, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 574 – North Central / South Bend
- 219 – Northwest IN / Gary
- 317 – Indianapolis
- 463 – Indianapolis overlay
- 765 – Central IN / Muncie
You can also browse our full directory of Indiana area codes for more regional guides.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Indiana:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 260 area code located?
The 260 area code covers northeast Indiana, centered on Fort Wayne and including New Haven, Auburn, Huntington, Bluffton, Decatur, Kendallville, and Angola.
Does 260 have an overlay?
No. The 260 area code covers its northeast Indiana region on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 260?
Because 260 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 260 area code in?
The 260 area code observes Eastern Time (EST/EDT), like most of Indiana.
Related 260 Guides
- Is a 260 call safe? Read Is area code 260 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Fort Wayne area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.