The 316 area code serves the Wichita metropolitan area and Sedgwick County in south-central Kansas. Created in 1953, 316 covers the largest city in the state and its immediate suburbs, a region built on aviation and manufacturing.
Quick Summary of the 316 Area Code
| Area Code | 316 |
| State | Kansas (KS) |
| Region | Wichita Metro & Sedgwick County |
| Major Cities | Wichita, Derby, Newton, Andover, Haysville, Park City, Bel Aire, Valley Center |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 316 area code is concentrated in the Wichita metro and Sedgwick County, covering the city of Wichita and its suburbs of Derby, Andover, Haysville, Park City, Bel Aire, and Valley Center, along with nearby Newton. It sits in south-central Kansas, bordered by the 620 region to the south and west and the 785 region to the north.
Time Zone
The 316 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. This part of Kansas is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 316 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 316 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 316 Number
Area code 316 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (316 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 316, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 316 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 316 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Wichita, Derby, Newton, Andover, Haysville, Park City, Bel Aire, Valley Center 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 Evergy reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for tornado or hail damage repairs. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 316 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 Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
- 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 (Evergy or Kansas Gas Service) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 316 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 316 Region
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Area code 316 was created in 1953 and once covered much of southern Kansas before 620 was split off in 2001, leaving it focused on the Wichita area. Wichita is famous as the “Air Capital of the World” – it has been a center of aircraft manufacturing for a century, home to Textron Aviation (Cessna and Beechcraft), Spirit AeroSystems, Learjet, and a deep aerospace supply chain. The city is also headquarters of Koch Industries, one of the largest private companies in the United States, and anchors the regional economy with energy, healthcare, and Wichita State University.
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Looking Up a 316 Number
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To identify a 316 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many Wichita businesses, manufacturers, and government offices list their 316 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 detailed voicemail message, whereas robocallers and automated scam calls almost never bother to do so.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Kansas is served by four area codes. If you are researching 316, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 620 – Southern & Western Kansas / Dodge City & Hutchinson
- 785 – Northern & Central Kansas / Topeka & Salina
- 913 – Northeast Kansas / Overland Park & Olathe
You can also browse our full directory of Kansas 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 Kansas:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 316 area code located?
The 316 area code covers the Wichita metro and Sedgwick County in south-central Kansas, including Derby, Newton, Andover, Haysville, Park City, and Valley Center.
Does 316 have an overlay?
No. The 316 area code covers the Wichita area on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 316?
Because 316 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 316 area code in?
The 316 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like most of Kansas.
Related 316 Guides
- Is a 316 call safe? Read Is area code 316 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Wichita area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.