701 Area Code: Location, Time Zone, Major Cities & Scam Alerts

The 701 area code is the single area code serving the entire state of North Dakota. Assigned in 1947 as one of the original area codes, 701 has covered all of the Peace Garden State on its own ever since, from Fargo in the east to the Bakken oil fields of the west.

Quick Summary of the 701 Area Code

Geographic Coverage

The 701 area code is a statewide code covering all of North Dakota, including the largest city of Fargo and its suburb West Fargo in the east, the state capital of Bismarck and neighboring Mandan in the center, Grand Forks in the northeast, Minot in the north, and the oil-boom cities of Williston and Dickinson in the west. It borders Minnesota, South Dakota, Montana, and the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Time Zone

The 701 area code spans two time zones. The large majority of North Dakota – including Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot – observes Central Time (CT), while a few counties in the far southwestern corner of the state, near the Montana border and the Badlands, observe Mountain Time (MT), one hour behind. Both zones follow daylight saving time from mid-March through early November, so when calling a 701 number it can help to confirm whether the person is in the Central-time main part of the state or the Mountain-time southwestern corner.

Tip: Business hours across the 701 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.

How to Dial a 701 Number

Area code 701 is not part of an overlay, and as the only area code in North Dakota it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing within the state. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (701 + the seven-digit line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 701, followed by the seven-digit local number.

Scam Alerts for the 701 Area Code

Like every U.S. area code, 701 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents across North Dakota should stay alert to the following common tactics:

If you receive a suspicious call from a 701 number, take these steps to protect yourself:

1. Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
2. Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
3. Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
4. 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 (Xcel Energy or Montana-Dakota Utilities) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 701 caller making such a demand is a scammer.

History and Economy of the 701 Region

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Area code 701 is one of the original 86 codes established in 1947, and a single code has always been enough for the sparsely populated state. The regional economy has two great engines: agriculture and energy. North Dakota is a national leader in wheat, soybeans, corn, and sugar beets, and the Bakken Shale oil boom transformed the western part of the state around Williston and Dickinson into one of the top oil-producing regions in the country. Fargo is the largest city and a growing technology and healthcare hub, home to North Dakota State University and a major Microsoft campus, Grand Forks hosts the University of North Dakota and Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Minot is home to Minot Air Force Base, a key strategic-missile and bomber installation.

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Looking Up a 701 Number

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To identify a 701 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many North Dakota businesses, government offices, and healthcare providers list their 701 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

North Dakota is served by the single 701 area code, with no overlay. These neighboring area codes are worth knowing:

• 218 – Northern Minnesota
• 605 – Statewide South Dakota
• 406 – Statewide Montana

You can also browse our full directory of North Dakota 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 North Dakota:

• Minnesota – area code 612
• South Dakota – area code 605
• Montana – area code 406

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the 701 area code located?

The 701 area code covers the entire state of North Dakota, including Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, Williston, Dickinson, and Mandan.

Does North Dakota have more than one area code?

No. North Dakota is served entirely by the single 701 area code, one of the few states covered by just one code with no overlay.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for 701?

As the only area code in North Dakota, 701 has historically allowed 7-digit local dialing, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.

What time zone is the 701 area code in?

Most of North Dakota is on Central Time, but the far-southwestern corner near the Montana border observes Mountain Time, one hour behind.

Related 701 Guides

• Is a 701 call safe? Read Is area code 701 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
• Local coverage: see the Fargo area code guide.
• Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.