The 501 area code serves central Arkansas, anchored by the state capital of Little Rock and the resort city of Hot Springs. One of the original area codes assigned in 1947, 501 once covered the entire state and now focuses on the central region surrounding the capital.
Quick Summary of the 501 Area Code
| Area Code | 501 |
| State | Arkansas (AR) |
| Region | Central Arkansas (Little Rock & Hot Springs) |
| Major Cities | Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, Sherwood |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 501 area code covers central Arkansas, centered on Little Rock and its neighbor North Little Rock, and including the suburbs of Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Sherwood, the fast-growing university city of Conway to the north, and the resort city of Hot Springs to the southwest. It sits in the heart of the state, bordered by the 479 region to the northwest and the 870 region to the east, north, and south.
Time Zone
The 501 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 501 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 501 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 501 Number
Area code 501 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 (501 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 501, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 501 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 501 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, Sherwood should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Entergy Arkansas reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for tornado or storm damage repairs. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 501 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 501 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 501 Region
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Area code 501 is one of the original 86 codes established in 1947, and it once covered all of Arkansas before 870 (1997) and 479 (2002) were split off. Little Rock anchors the regional economy as the state capital and a center for government, healthcare – led by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Baptist Health – and finance, home to Bank OZK and the investment firm Stephens Inc. Conway has become a hub for technology and higher education with the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College, while Hot Springs draws visitors to its national park, historic bathhouses, and the Oaklawn horse-racing track.
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Looking Up a 501 Number
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To identify a 501 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many Little Rock businesses, government offices, and healthcare providers list their 501 numbers publicly, so a quick search often confirms a legitimate caller. 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 501, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 479 – Northwest Arkansas / Fayetteville & Bentonville
- 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 501 area code located?
The 501 area code covers central Arkansas, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Benton, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Sherwood.
Does 501 have an overlay?
No. The 501 area code covers central Arkansas on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 501?
Because 501 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 501 area code in?
The 501 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Arkansas.
Related 501 Guides
- Is a 501 call safe? Read Is area code 501 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Little Rock area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.