The 573 area code serves central and eastern Missouri, including the college city of Columbia, the state capital of Jefferson City, and the Mississippi River cities to the southeast. Created in 1996 when it split from 314, 573 covers a broad swath of the state outside the major metros.
Quick Summary of the 573 Area Code
| Area Code | 573 |
| State | Missouri (MO) |
| Region | Central & Eastern Missouri (Columbia & Jefferson City) |
| Major Cities | Columbia, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau, Rolla, Kirksville, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Hannibal |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 573 area code covers a large arc of central and eastern Missouri, from Columbia and the capital Jefferson City in the center, southeast to Cape Girardeau and the Bootheel cities of Sikeston and Poplar Bluff along the Mississippi River, southwest to Rolla, north to Kirksville, and northeast to the historic river town of Hannibal. It shares its footprint with the newer 235 overlay.
Time Zone
The 573 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 573 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 573 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 573 Number
Because area code 573 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 (573 + 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 573, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 573 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 573 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Columbia, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau, Rolla, Kirksville, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Hannibal 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 Ameren Missouri callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Student Loan Scam | Calls offering fake loan forgiveness to University of Missouri students for a fee. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 573 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 573 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 573 Region
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Area code 573 was created in 1996, split from 314, to serve central and eastern Missouri; as demand grew, the 235 overlay was added in 2024 across the same territory. The regional economy is anchored by education and government. Columbia is home to the University of Missouri, the state’s flagship campus, along with a strong healthcare and insurance sector that includes Shelter Insurance and Veterans United Home Loans. Jefferson City serves as the state capital, Cape Girardeau is a regional commercial and river-shipping hub and home to Southeast Missouri State University, Rolla hosts the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and the surrounding countryside and Bootheel support extensive agriculture.
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Looking Up a 573 Number
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To identify a 573 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Universities, hospitals, and government offices across central and eastern Missouri publish their 573 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.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Missouri is served by several area codes. If you are researching 573, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 235 – Central & Eastern MO overlay (same region)
- 314 – St. Louis city & county
- 636 – St. Louis suburbs / East Central MO
- 816 – Kansas City metro
- 417 – Southwest MO / Springfield
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 573 area code located?
The 573 area code covers central and eastern Missouri, including Columbia, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau, Rolla, Kirksville, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, and Hannibal.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 573?
Yes. Because 573 shares an overlay with the 235 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 573 area code in?
The 573 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Missouri.
Is 573 the same area as 235?
Yes. 235 is an overlay of 573, so both codes serve the exact same central and eastern Missouri region.
Related 573 Guides
- Is a 573 call safe? Read Is area code 573 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.