The 317 area code serves Indianapolis and its surrounding suburbs in central Indiana. One of the original area codes assigned in 1947, 317 covers the state capital and the fast-growing communities of Hamilton, Hendricks, and Johnson counties that make up the Indianapolis metro.
Quick Summary of the 317 Area Code
| Area Code | 317 |
| State | Indiana (IN) |
| Region | Indianapolis Metropolitan Area |
| Major Cities | Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Lawrence, Plainfield, Avon |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 317 area code is centered on the city of Indianapolis and blankets the surrounding Marion County suburbs, including Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville to the north, Greenwood to the south, Lawrence to the northeast, and Plainfield and Avon to the west. It shares its entire footprint with the 463 overlay and forms the population and economic core of Indiana.
Time Zone
The 317 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 317 number at 12:00 PM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 317 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 317 Number
Because area code 317 operates as part of an overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for every local and long-distance call. You must dial the full 10-digit number (317 + the seven-digit line number) even when calling a neighbor across the street. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 317, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 317 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 317 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Lawrence, Plainfield, Avon should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake AES Indiana reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
| Grandparent Scam | A caller posing as a relative in trouble asking for emergency wire transfers. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 317 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 317 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 317 Region
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Area code 317 is one of the original 86 codes established in 1947, and it once covered a much larger portion of central Indiana before 765 was split off in 1997. As the Indianapolis metro kept growing, the 463 overlay was added in 2016 to supply new numbers across the same territory. The regional economy is anchored by state government, a major pharmaceutical presence led by Eli Lilly and Company, and a large logistics sector built around the Indianapolis International Airport and the FedEx national hub. The city is also famous for motorsports – the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Indy 500 – and supports growing technology, insurance, and sports-industry sectors.
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Looking Up a 317 Number
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To identify a 317 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many Indianapolis businesses, government offices, and healthcare providers list their 317 numbers publicly, so a quick search often confirms a legitimate caller. 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 317, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 463 – Indianapolis overlay (same region)
- 765 – Central IN / Muncie & Lafayette
- 812 – Southern IN / Evansville
- 574 – North Central / South Bend
- 260 – Northeast / Fort Wayne
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 317 area code located?
The 317 area code covers Indianapolis and its suburbs, including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Plainfield, and Avon.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 317?
Yes. Because 317 shares an overlay with the 463 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 317 area code in?
The 317 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST/EDT), like most of Indiana.
Is 317 the same area as 463?
Yes. 463 is an overlay of 317, so both codes serve the exact same Indianapolis-area region.
Related 317 Guides
- Is a 317 call safe? Read Is area code 317 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Indianapolis area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.