The 352 area code serves north-central Florida, covering Gainesville, Ocala, and The Villages. Created in 1995 in a split from the Jacksonville-based 904 code, it is a geographic area code spanning college towns, horse country, and one of the largest retirement communities in America. If a 352 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 352 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 352 |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Major Cities | Gainesville, Ocala, The Villages, Leesburg |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | None (standalone) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 352 covers north-central Florida, including Alachua, Marion, Sumter, Lake, Citrus, and Hernando counties. It sits between the Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa metros.
- Gainesville – home of the University of Florida
- Ocala – the heart of Florida horse country
- The Villages – one of the largest retirement communities in the United States
- Leesburg & Lecanto – established north-central Florida communities
From a Big college town to horse farms and retirement villages, a 352 number reflects the diverse character of north-central Florida.
A Brief History of Area Code 352
Area code 352 was created in 1995 in a split from the 904 code, taking north-central Florida as the state grew. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 352 has never required an overlay and still covers its territory on a single area code.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 352 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 352
Because 352 has no overlay, both 7-digit and 10-digit local dialing have historically worked, but 10-digit dialing is now the recommended standard across the United States.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 352-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-352-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 352 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 352 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 352 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 352 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 352 is a legitimate Florida area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 352, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Student & scholarship scams | Fake tuition or financial-aid calls targeting University of Florida students |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Duke Energy Florida disconnection demands |
How to report, block, and look up 352 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in Florida
Area code 352 shares and borders several other Florida codes:
- 904 – Jacksonville and northeast Florida, from which 352 split (see our 904 area code guide)
- 386 – the Daytona Beach and Lake City area to the east (see our 386 area code guide)
- 407 & 689 – the Orlando metro to the southeast (see our 407 area code guide)
- 727 & 813 – the Tampa Bay area to the south (see our 813 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Florida area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ 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 Florida:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 352
Where is the 352 area code located?
Area code 352 covers north-central Florida, including Gainesville, Ocala, The Villages, and Leesburg. It operates on Eastern Time.
Does the 352 area code have an overlay?
No. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 352 has never needed an overlay and still covers its entire territory on a single area code.
Is 352 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 352 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout north-central Florida.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 352 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 352 Guides
- Is a 352 call safe? Read Is area code 352 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.