The 320 area code serves central Minnesota, anchored by St. Cloud on the Mississippi River northwest of the Twin Cities. Created in 1996 when it split from 612, 320 covers a broad region of small cities, farmland, and lake country in the center of the state.
Quick Summary of the 320 Area Code
| Area Code | 320 |
| State | Minnesota (MN) |
| Region | Central Minnesota (St. Cloud) |
| Major Cities | St. Cloud, Willmar, Alexandria, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Litchfield, Hutchinson, Little Falls |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 320 area code covers central Minnesota, centered on St. Cloud and its neighbors Sartell and Sauk Rapids, and extending west to Willmar, northwest to the lakes city of Alexandria, north to Little Falls, and south to Litchfield and Hutchinson. It sits between the Twin Cities metro to the southeast and the northern 218 region.
Time Zone
The 320 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 Minnesota 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 320 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 320 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 320 Number
Area code 320 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 (320 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 320, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 320 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 320 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in St. Cloud, Willmar, Alexandria, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Litchfield, Hutchinson, Little Falls should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers impersonating the IRS and threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Xcel Energy callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Farm / Equipment Scam | Fraudulent online listings for tractors or farm equipment aimed at rural buyers. |
| 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 320 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 Minnesota 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 (Xcel Energy or Minnesota Power) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 320 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 320 Region
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Area code 320 was created in 1996, split from 612, to serve central Minnesota. St. Cloud, the largest city in the region, is a commercial, medical, and educational hub – home to St. Cloud State University and the CentraCare health system – and is historically known for the granite quarrying that gave it the nickname “Granite City.” The surrounding countryside is a productive agricultural and dairy region, while Alexandria and the central lakes district draw summer tourism, and manufacturing and food processing provide employment in Willmar, Hutchinson, and the smaller cities across the region.
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Looking Up a 320 Number
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To identify a 320 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, universities, and government offices across central Minnesota publish their 320 numbers, 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
Minnesota is served by several area codes. If you are researching 320, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 612 – Minneapolis core
- 763 – Northwest Twin Cities suburbs
- 218 – Northern MN / Duluth
- 507 – Southern MN / Rochester
You can also browse our full directory of Minnesota 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 Minnesota:
- Wisconsin – area code 414
- Iowa – area code 515
- South Dakota – area code 605
- North Dakota – area code 701
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 320 area code located?
The 320 area code covers central Minnesota, including St. Cloud, Willmar, Alexandria, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Litchfield, Hutchinson, and Little Falls.
Does 320 have an overlay?
No. The 320 area code covers central Minnesota on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 320?
Because 320 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 320 area code in?
The 320 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Minnesota.
Related 320 Guides
- Is a 320 call safe? Read Is area code 320 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the St. Cloud area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.