The 814 area code serves central and western Pennsylvania, covering Erie, Altoona, Johnstown, and State College. One of the original 1947 codes, it spans the northern and central highlands of the state and is now overlaid by area code 582. If an 814 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 814 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 814 |
| State | Pennsylvania (PA) |
| Major Cities | Erie, Altoona, State College, Johnstown |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 582 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 814 covers a large stretch of central and western Pennsylvania, including Erie, Blair, Centre, Cambria, Clearfield, and McKean counties. It runs from Lake Erie in the northwest down through the Allegheny highlands.
- Erie – the largest city in northwestern Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie
- State College – home of Penn State University
- Altoona & Johnstown – historic railroad and steel cities
- DuBois & Bradford – established central PA communities
From the Lake Erie shore to Happy Valley and the Allegheny Mountains, an 814 number reflects the character of central and western Pennsylvania.
A Brief History of Area Code 814
Area code 814 was one of the original area codes established in 1947, covering central and western Pennsylvania outside Pittsburgh. As numbering demand grew, the 582 overlay was added over the same region in 2021, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 814 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 814
Because 814 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 814-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-814-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 814 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 814 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 814 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 814 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 814 is a legitimate Pennsylvania area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 814, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, 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 |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Student & scholarship scams | Fake tuition or financial-aid calls targeting Penn State students |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Penelec or West Penn Power disconnection demands |
How to report, block, and look up 814 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 Pennsylvania
Area code 814 shares and borders several other Pennsylvania codes:
- 582 – the overlay that shares central and western PA with 814 (see our 582 area code guide)
- 412, 724 & 878 – the Pittsburgh region to the southwest (see our 412 area code guide)
- 717 & 223 – south-central Pennsylvania to the southeast (see our 717 area code guide)
- 570 & 272 – northeastern Pennsylvania to the east (see our 570 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania:
- New York – area code 212
- New Jersey – area code 201
- Delaware – area code 302
- Maryland – area code 410
- West Virginia – area code 304
- Ohio – area code 216
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 814
Where is the 814 area code located?
Area code 814 covers central and western Pennsylvania, including Erie, Altoona, State College, and Johnstown. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 582.
What is the difference between 814 and 582?
There is no geographic difference. 582 is an overlay covering the exact same central and western PA territory as 814; it was added in 2021 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 814 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 814 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout central and western Pennsylvania.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 814 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 814 Guides
- Is a 814 call safe? Read Is area code 814 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Erie area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.