The 740 area code serves southeastern and south-central Ohio, covering Zanesville, Newark, Athens, and Chillicothe across the Appalachian foothills. Created in 1997 in a split from Columbus’s 614 code, it is now overlaid by area code 220. If a 740 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 740 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 740 |
| State | Ohio (OH) |
| Major Cities | Zanesville, Newark, Athens, Chillicothe |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 220 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 740 covers a broad swath of southeastern and south-central Ohio, including Muskingum, Licking, Athens, Ross, Fairfield, Washington, and Scioto counties. It wraps around the Columbus metro and reaches to the Ohio River.
- Zanesville & Newark – the largest cities of the region, east of Columbus
- Athens – home of Ohio University
- Chillicothe & Lancaster – historic south-central Ohio cities
- Marietta & Portsmouth – Ohio River communities
From the Appalachian foothills to a Big college town and the Ohio River, a 740 number is closely tied to the identity of southeastern Ohio.
A Brief History of Area Code 740
Area code 740 was created in 1997 in a split from the 614 code, taking the counties surrounding and to the southeast of Columbus. The 220 overlay was added over the same region in 2015, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 740 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 740
Because 740 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 – 740-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-740-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 740 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 740 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 740 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 740 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 740 is a legitimate Ohio area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 740, 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 Ohio University students |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake AEP Ohio disconnection demands |
How to report, block, and look up 740 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 Ohio
Area code 740 shares and borders several other Ohio codes:
- 220 – the overlay that shares southeastern Ohio with 740 (see our 220 area code guide)
- 614 & 380 – Columbus to the northwest, from which 740 split (see our 614 area code guide)
- 330 & 234 – northeastern Ohio to the north (see our 330 area code guide)
- 513 & 283 – the Cincinnati area to the southwest (see our 513 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Ohio 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 Ohio:
- Michigan – area code 313
- Indiana – area code 317
- Kentucky – area code 502
- West Virginia – area code 304
- Pennsylvania – area code 215
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 740
Where is the 740 area code located?
Area code 740 covers southeastern and south-central Ohio, including Zanesville, Newark, Athens, and Chillicothe. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 220.
What is the difference between 740 and 220?
There is no geographic difference. 220 is an overlay covering the exact same southeastern-Ohio territory as 740; it was added in 2015 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 740 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 740 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout southeastern Ohio.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 740 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 740 Guides
- Is a 740 call safe? Read Is area code 740 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.