The 417 area code serves southwestern Missouri, anchored by Springfield and the entertainment city of Branson in the Ozarks. Created in 1950 when it split from 314, 417 covers the Ozark highlands from Joplin near the Kansas line east across the region.
Quick Summary of the 417 Area Code
| Area Code | 417 |
| State | Missouri (MO) |
| Region | Southwest Missouri (Springfield & Branson) |
| Major Cities | Springfield, Joplin, Branson, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Carthage, Lebanon |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 417 area code covers the southwestern corner of Missouri, centered on Springfield and its suburbs of Nixa, Ozark, and Republic, and extending west to Joplin and Carthage near the Kansas and Oklahoma borders, south to the tourist city of Branson in the Ozark Mountains, and northeast to Lebanon. It covers a large, largely rural region of lakes, hills, and small cities.
Time Zone
The 417 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 Missouri 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 417 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 417 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 417 Number
Area code 417 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 (417 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 417, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 417 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 417 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Springfield, Joplin, Branson, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Carthage, Lebanon 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 utility callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Vacation / Timeshare Scam | Fake Branson vacation or timeshare offers that demand an upfront deposit. |
| Medicare / Health Scam | Robocalls seeking Medicare numbers under the guise of free braces or test kits. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 417 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 Missouri 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 (Ameren Missouri or Evergy) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 417 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 417 Region
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Area code 417 was created in 1950, split from 314, to serve southwestern Missouri. Springfield, the third-largest city in the state, is the commercial, medical, and educational hub of the region – home to the outdoor-retail giant Bass Pro Shops, the CoxHealth and Mercy hospital systems, and Missouri State University. Branson has become one of the most popular live-entertainment and tourism destinations in the country, drawing millions of visitors to its theaters and Ozark lakes, while Joplin anchors the far southwest with manufacturing and healthcare, and the surrounding countryside supports a strong agriculture and poultry industry.
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Looking Up a 417 Number
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To identify a 417 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, hospitals, universities, and tourism operators across southwest Missouri publish their 417 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 message, while robocallers and scammers rarely do.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Missouri is served by several area codes. If you are researching 417, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 816 – Kansas City metro
- 573 – Central & Eastern MO / Columbia
- 314 – St. Louis city & county
- 636 – St. Louis suburbs / East Central MO
You can also browse our full directory of Missouri 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 Missouri:
- Iowa – area code 515
- Illinois – area code 312
- Kentucky – area code 502
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Arkansas – area code 501
- Oklahoma – area code 405
- Kansas – area code 316
- Nebraska – area code 402
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 417 area code located?
The 417 area code covers southwestern Missouri, including Springfield, Joplin, Branson, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Carthage, and Lebanon.
Does 417 have an overlay?
No. The 417 area code covers southwest Missouri on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 417?
Because 417 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 417 area code in?
The 417 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Missouri.
Related 417 Guides
- Is a 417 call safe? Read Is area code 417 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Springfield area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.