The 262 area code serves the suburban ring around Milwaukee and the southeastern corner of Wisconsin. Created in 1999 when it split from 414, 262 covers the fast-growing counties between Milwaukee and the Illinois state line.
Quick Summary of the 262 Area Code
| Area Code | 262 |
| State | Wisconsin (WI) |
| Region | Southeast Wisconsin (Suburban Milwaukee) |
| Major Cities | Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, West Bend, Brookfield, Oconomowoc, Pleasant Prairie, Mequon |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 262 area code forms a horseshoe around Milwaukee County, covering the “WOW” counties of Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington to the north and west – including Waukesha, Brookfield, West Bend, Oconomowoc, and Mequon – and extending south to the Lake Michigan cities of Racine, Kenosha, and Pleasant Prairie near the Illinois border.
Time Zone
The 262 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. All of Wisconsin is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 262 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 262 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 262 Number
Area code 262 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 (262 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 262, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 262 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 262 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, West Bend, Brookfield, Oconomowoc, Pleasant Prairie, Mequon 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 We Energies 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 262 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 Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
- 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 (We Energies, Alliant Energy, or WPS) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 262 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 262 Region
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Area code 262 was created in 1999, split from 414, to serve the suburbs and smaller cities surrounding Milwaukee as southeastern Wisconsin grew. The regional economy is a mix of affluent suburbs and industrial cities. Waukesha County is one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing parts of the state, while Racine is home to global companies such as SC Johnson and Case IH, and Kenosha has become a major logistics and distribution hub thanks to its location near Chicago. The Mount Pleasant technology campus in Racine County has drawn national attention as a large advanced-manufacturing development.
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Looking Up a 262 Number
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To identify a 262 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, manufacturers, and government offices across southeastern Wisconsin publish their 262 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 detailed voicemail message, whereas robocallers and automated scam calls almost never bother to do so.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Wisconsin is served by several area codes. If you are researching 262, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 414 – Milwaukee County
- 608 – Madison / Southwest WI
- 920 – Northeast WI / Green Bay
- 715 – Northern & Western WI
You can also browse our full directory of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 262 area code located?
The 262 area code covers the suburban ring around Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin, including Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, West Bend, Brookfield, and Mequon.
Does 262 have an overlay?
No. The 262 area code covers southeastern Wisconsin on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 262?
Because 262 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 262 area code in?
The 262 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Wisconsin.
Related 262 Guides
- Is a 262 call safe? Read Is area code 262 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Waukesha area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.