The 585 area code serves Rochester and the western Finger Lakes region of New York State. Created in 2001 when it split from the Buffalo-based 716 code, 585 covers Monroe County and a wide band of Western New York communities. If a 585 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 585 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 585 |
| State | New York (NY) |
| Major Cities | Rochester, Batavia, Canandaigua, Geneseo |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | None (single area code) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 585 covers Rochester and much of Western New York and the western Finger Lakes, spanning Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Wyoming, and Allegany counties, among others. It reaches from the shore of Lake Ontario south into the rolling Finger Lakes countryside.
Cities and areas served by the 585 area code include:
- Rochester — the region’s largest city and a hub for technology, optics, and higher education
- Batavia and Brockport — communities between Rochester and Buffalo
- Canandaigua and Geneva-adjacent towns — gateways to the western Finger Lakes
- Geneseo and Mount Morris — Genesee Valley college and park country
Because it covers such an established region, a 585 number signals a genuine Rochester-area and Western New York presence for residents and local businesses.
A Brief History of Area Code 585
Area code 585 is relatively young by New York standards. It was created in 2001 when the original 716 area code — which had covered all of Western New York since 1954 — was split, keeping 716 for the Buffalo–Niagara area and assigning 585 to the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. To date, 585 has remained a single area code without an overlay, though 10-digit dialing is now standard across New York.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 585 area code operate on Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, switching from EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4) between March and November.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 585
Ten-digit dialing is now standard throughout New York, so always include the area code.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Dial the full number — 585-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-585-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 585 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 585 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 585 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 585 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 585 is a legitimate New York area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof the code, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local Rochester-area line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics your own number’s first six digits, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to keep power or gas on |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Auto-warranty robocalls | Recorded warnings that your vehicle warranty is expiring |
How to report, block, and look up 585 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in New York
Area code 585 sits among several other Upstate New York codes:
- 716 — Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the rest of Western New York (585’s parent code)
- 315 & 680 — Central and Northern New York to the east (see our 315 area code guide)
- 607 — the Southern Tier to the southeast (see our 607 area code guide)
- 518 (the Capital Region) and 212 (New York City)
Explore more codes across the state on our New York area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ 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 New York:
- New Jersey – area code 201
- Pennsylvania – area code 215
- Connecticut – area code 203
- Massachusetts – area code 617
- Vermont – area code 802
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 585
Where is the 585 area code located?
Area code 585 covers Rochester and the western Finger Lakes region of New York, including Batavia, Canandaigua, and Geneseo. It operates on Eastern Time.
Is 585 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 585 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers across the Rochester area and Western New York.
Does 585 have an overlay area code?
No. Unlike many New York regions, 585 remains a single area code without an overlay, though 10-digit dialing is now standard statewide.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 585 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 585 Guides
- Is a 585 call safe? Read Is area code 585 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Rochester area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.