The 940 area code serves North Texas, covering Denton on the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the city of Wichita Falls near the Oklahoma border, and the rural counties in between. Created in 1997 in a split from Fort Worth’s 817 code, it is a geographic area code blending fast-growing suburbs with wide-open ranch country. If a 940 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 940 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 940 |
| State | Texas (TX) |
| Major Cities | Denton, Wichita Falls, Gainesville, Vernon |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | None (standalone) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 940 covers North Texas, including Denton, Wichita, Cooke, Grayson-adjacent, and Wilbarger counties among many others. It stretches from the northern suburbs of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex up to the Red River and the Oklahoma border.
Cities and communities served by the 940 area code include:
- Denton – a fast-growing college city on the northern edge of the metroplex, home to the University of North Texas
- Wichita Falls – the largest city in the far north, near the Oklahoma border and Sheppard Air Force Base
- Gainesville & Decatur – established North Texas communities
- Vernon & Bowie – rural towns of the Red River country
From a booming university town to ranch country along the Red River, a 940 number reflects the blend of suburban growth and rural tradition in North Texas.
A Brief History of Area Code 940
Area code 940 was created in 1997 in a geographic split from the 817 code, the same reorganization that trimmed Fort Worth’s territory. The new code took in Denton, Wichita Falls, and the surrounding North Texas counties. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 940 has never required an overlay and still covers its territory on a single area code.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 940 area code use Central Time (CT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 940
Because 940 has no overlay, both 7-digit and 10-digit local dialing have historically worked, but 10-digit dialing is now the recommended standard across the United States.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 940-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-940-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 940 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 940 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 940 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 940 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 940 is a legitimate Texas area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 940, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted North Texas 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 University of North Texas students |
| Military & veteran-benefit scams | Fake VA or benefits calls targeting the Sheppard AFB community |
How to report, block, and look up 940 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 Texas
Area code 940 borders several other Texas codes:
- 817 & 682 – Fort Worth, from which 940 split in 1997 (see our 817 area code guide)
- 214, 469 & 972 – the Dallas side of the metroplex to the south (see our 214 area code guide)
- 903 & 430 – Northeast Texas to the east (see our 903 area code guide)
- 806 – the Texas Panhandle to the west (see our 806 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Texas 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 Texas:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 940
Where is the 940 area code located?
Area code 940 covers North Texas, including Denton, Wichita Falls, Gainesville, and Vernon. It operates on Central Time and split from area code 817 in 1997.
Does the 940 area code have an overlay?
No. Because it serves a largely non-metropolitan region, 940 has never needed an overlay and still covers its entire territory on a single area code.
Is 940 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 940 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout North Texas.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 940 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 940 Guides
- Is a 940 call safe? Read Is area code 940 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.