The 353 area code is an overlay serving Madison and the southwestern quarter of Wisconsin. Introduced in 2023, it is the newest area code in the state, layered directly on top of the established 608 area code to supply fresh phone numbers across the growing Madison region.
Quick Summary of the 353 Area Code
| Area Code | 353 |
| State | Wisconsin (WI) |
| Region | Madison & Southwest Wisconsin |
| Major Cities | Madison, Janesville, La Crosse, Beloit, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Platteville, Baraboo |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 353 area code shares an identical footprint with 608, covering the state capital of Madison and its suburbs of Sun Prairie and Fitchburg, the southern cities of Janesville and Beloit, Platteville in the Driftless Area, La Crosse on the Mississippi River, and Baraboo near the Wisconsin Dells. Because it is an overlay rather than a separate region, a 353 number and a 608 number can exist on the same street.
Time Zone
The 353 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 353 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 353 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 353 Number
Because area code 353 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 (353 + 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 353, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 353 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 353 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Madison, Janesville, La Crosse, Beloit, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Platteville, Baraboo 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 Alliant Energy callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Student Loan Scam | Calls offering fake loan forgiveness to UW-Madison students for a fee. |
| 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 353 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 353 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 353 Region
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The 353 area code entered service in 2023 as an overlay for the entire 608 region, making it the most recently introduced area code in Wisconsin. Overlays let regulators add a fresh supply of phone numbers to a crowded area without forcing existing customers to change their established numbers, so 353 covers precisely the same cities as 608. The regional economy is anchored by state government and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a booming technology and healthcare sector – including the electronic-health-records company Epic Systems in nearby Verona – along with manufacturing in Janesville and Beloit and agriculture and river commerce toward La Crosse. Because 353 is brand new, it appears almost exclusively on recently activated phone lines.
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Looking Up a 353 Number
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To identify a 353 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the complete 10-digit number online. Because 353 is the newest code in Wisconsin, many numbers will have little or no public footprint yet, so treat unexpected 353 calls with extra caution and never share sensitive information with an unverified caller.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Wisconsin is served by several area codes. If you are researching 353, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 608 – Madison / Southwest WI (overlay partner)
- 414 – Milwaukee County
- 262 – Southeast WI / Suburban Milwaukee
- 920 – Northeast WI / Green Bay
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 353 area code located?
The 353 area code serves Madison and southwestern Wisconsin as an overlay of 608, covering Madison, Janesville, Beloit, Platteville, La Crosse, and Baraboo.
Why does 353 cover the same area as 608?
353 is an overlay added in 2023 because the 608 region ran short of available phone numbers. Both codes serve the exact same geographic area.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 353?
Yes. Overlay area codes like 353 always require 10-digit dialing for local calls.
Is 353 a new area code?
Yes. Introduced in 2023, 353 is the newest area code in Wisconsin and observes Central Time (CST/CDT).
Related 353 Guides
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.