The 479 area code serves northwest Arkansas, one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, including Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers, and Fort Smith. Created in 2002 when it split from 501, 479 covers the Ozark corner of the state near the Oklahoma and Missouri borders.
Quick Summary of the 479 Area Code
| Area Code | 479 |
| State | Arkansas (AR) |
| Region | Northwest Arkansas (Fort Smith, Fayetteville & Bentonville) |
| Major Cities | Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers, Bella Vista, Van Buren, Siloam Springs |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 479 area code covers northwest Arkansas, including the Interstate 49 corridor cities of Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, and Bella Vista, along with Siloam Springs near the Oklahoma line and the river city of Fort Smith and its neighbor Van Buren to the south. It sits in the Ozark Mountains bordering Oklahoma and Missouri.
Time Zone
The 479 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 Arkansas 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 479 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 479 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 479 Number
Area code 479 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 (479 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 479, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 479 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 479 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers, Bella Vista, Van Buren, Siloam Springs should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Threatening calls demanding immediate tax payment via gift cards or wire transfer. |
| Utility Shut-off | Impostors claiming to be SWEPCO threatening to cut power. |
| Employment / Recruiter Scam | Fake job offers from “Walmart” or “Tyson” recruiters seeking personal data or upfront fees. |
| Student Loan Scam | Calls offering fake loan forgiveness to University of Arkansas students for a fee. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 479 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 Arkansas 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 (Entergy Arkansas or SWEPCO) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 479 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 479 Region
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Area code 479 was created in 2002, split from 501, to serve northwest Arkansas. The region has an extraordinarily strong economy for its size, home to the headquarters of three Fortune 500 companies: Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, in Bentonville; Tyson Foods, a global food company, in Springdale; and the transportation giant J.B. Hunt in nearby Lowell. Fayetteville is home to the University of Arkansas, Bentonville has become a cultural destination anchored by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and Fort Smith – the second-largest city in the state – anchors the southern end with manufacturing and a storied frontier history.
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Looking Up a 479 Number
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To identify a 479 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, corporate offices, and universities across northwest Arkansas publish their 479 numbers widely, 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.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Arkansas is served by three area codes. If you are researching 479, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 501 – Central Arkansas / Little Rock & Hot Springs
- 870 – Eastern, Northern & Southern Arkansas / Jonesboro
You can also browse our full directory of Arkansas 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 Arkansas:
- Missouri – area code 314
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Mississippi – area code 601
- Louisiana – area code 504
- Texas – area code 214
- Oklahoma – area code 405
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 479 area code located?
The 479 area code covers northwest Arkansas, including Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers, Bella Vista, Van Buren, and Siloam Springs.
Does 479 have an overlay?
No. The 479 area code covers northwest Arkansas on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 479?
Because 479 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 479 area code in?
The 479 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Arkansas.
Related 479 Guides
- Is a 479 call safe? Read Is area code 479 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Fayetteville area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.