The 812 area code serves the entire southern third of Indiana, from Evansville in the southwest to the Louisville-area suburbs in the southeast. One of the original area codes assigned in 1947, 812 covers a large and diverse region that includes major university towns, river cities, and manufacturing centers.
Quick Summary of the 812 Area Code
| Area Code | 812 |
| State | Indiana (IN) |
| Region | Southern Indiana (Evansville, Bloomington & Terre Haute) |
| Major Cities | Evansville, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Jeffersonville, New Albany, Columbus, Seymour, Vincennes |
| Time Zone | Eastern (ET) & Central (CT) – dual zone |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 812 area code blankets southern Indiana, including Evansville and Vincennes in the southwest, Terre Haute on the Illinois border to the west, Bloomington in the center, Columbus and Seymour to the east, and the Ohio River cities of Jeffersonville and New Albany across from Louisville, Kentucky. It shares its entire footprint with the 930 overlay and borders Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio.
Time Zone
The 812 area code spans two time zones. Most of southern Indiana, including Bloomington, Terre Haute, Columbus, and the Louisville-area suburbs, observes Eastern Time (ET), while the Evansville metro and the southwestern counties observe Central Time (CT). Both zones follow daylight saving time from mid-March through early November. When calling a 812 number, it helps to confirm whether the person is in the Evansville area (Central) or elsewhere in southern Indiana (Eastern), since the two are one hour apart. From the West Coast, the Eastern parts of the region are three hours ahead of Pacific Time and the Central parts are two hours ahead.
Tip: Business hours across the 812 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 812 Number
Because area code 812 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 (812 + 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 812, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 812 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 812 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Evansville, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Jeffersonville, New Albany, Columbus, Seymour, Vincennes 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 CenterPoint Energy reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Student Loan Scam | Calls offering fake loan forgiveness to IU and area college 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 812 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 Indiana 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 (Duke Energy, CenterPoint Energy, or Vectren) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 812 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 812 Region
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Area code 812 is one of the original 86 codes established in 1947 and has covered southern Indiana ever since; as demand grew, the 930 overlay was added in 2015 across the same territory. The regional economy is remarkably varied. Evansville is the commercial and medical hub of the southwest, with a strong manufacturing and healthcare base, while Bloomington is home to Indiana University, one of the largest campuses in the state. Terre Haute hosts Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Columbus is globally known as the headquarters of the engine maker Cummins and for its celebrated modern architecture, and the Ohio River cities of Jeffersonville and New Albany anchor the Indiana side of the Louisville metro.
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Looking Up an 812 Number
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To identify an 812 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, universities, and hospitals across southern Indiana list their 812 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
Indiana is served by several area codes. If you are researching 812, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 930 – Southern IN overlay (same region)
- 317 – Indianapolis
- 463 – Indianapolis overlay
- 765 – Central IN / Lafayette
You can also browse our full directory of Indiana 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 Indiana:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 812 area code located?
The 812 area code covers the southern third of Indiana, including Evansville, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Columbus, and the Ohio River cities of Jeffersonville and New Albany.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 812?
Yes. Because 812 shares an overlay with the 930 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 812 area code in?
The 812 area code spans two time zones: the Evansville area in the southwest is on Central Time, while Bloomington, Terre Haute, and the rest of the region are on Eastern Time.
Is 812 the same area as 930?
Yes. 930 is an overlay of 812, so both codes serve the exact same southern Indiana region.
Related 812 Guides
- Is a 812 call safe? Read Is area code 812 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Evansville area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.