The capital and largest city of Indiana, Indianapolis is the “Circle City” and home of the Indianapolis 500 — a fast-growing hub for sports, logistics, and life sciences. It is covered by the 317 code and its overlay. This guide breaks down Indianapolis’s 317 and 463 codes, the required 10-digit dialing, the state’s Eastern/Central time split, major ZIP codes, and local scam warnings.
Indianapolis Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code(s) | 317 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 463 |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Major County | Marion County |
| Region | Central Indiana (Indy Metro) |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Area Code Breakdown & Regional Mapping
317 – Indianapolis Metro Code
Area code 317 is one of the original 1947 codes and is synonymous with Indianapolis, covering the city and most of Marion County and its inner suburbs. A 317 number is the classic mark of the Circle City.
463 – Indianapolis Metro Overlay
Area code 463 is the 2016 overlay for the 317 region, sharing the same Indianapolis-metro geography. Many newer Indy lines carry a 463 prefix, fully local to existing 317 numbers.
Neighborhoods & Local Coverage
Indianapolis’s 317/463 codes cover a city organized around Monument Circle and the downtown Mile Square, where the sports venues, the Indiana Statehouse, and the White River State Park cluster. The lively Mass Ave arts district and the eclectic Fountain Square neighborhood anchor the near-east and near-south cultural scenes.
Beyond downtown, the same codes reach the canal-side Broad Ripple Village, the historic Irvington and Lockerbie Square neighborhoods, the leafy Meridian-Kessler and Butler-Tarkington areas, and the town of Speedway, home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 317/463 codes tie the whole Indy metro together.
Local Dialing Rules, Time Zone & International Format
Indianapolis and the 317 region have required 10-digit dialing since the 463 overlay launched — always dial the area code plus the 7-digit number. The surrounding Indy-metro suburbs share the 317/463 codes, while Lafayette to the northwest uses 765.
A note on Indiana time: Indianapolis observes Eastern Time, like most of Indiana. But two corners of the state run on Central Time: the northwest “Region” near Chicago (Gary and Hammond) and the southwest “Pocket” around Evansville. Keep that in mind when calling across Indiana.
To call Indianapolis from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then the U.S. country code +1, followed by the 10-digit number (for example, +1 317 XXX-XXXX). From inside the U.S. and Canada, simply dial 1 before the 10-digit number for long-distance calls.
Major ZIP Codes Covered
The 317 service area spans many of Indianapolis’s core ZIP codes, including 46201, 46202, 46204, 46208, 46220, 46225, 46227, 46240, 46250, and 46260.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Indianapolis
Indianapolis residents report heavy volumes of neighbor-spoofing robocalls faking a local 317 prefix. Common scams impersonate AES Indiana and Citizens Energy (utility shutoff), the IRS, and delivery services, along with fake-ticket scams tied to major sporting events.
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Neighbor Spoofing | Calls that mimic a local 317 prefix to look familiar. |
| Utility / Toll Scams | Threats to shut off power or demand toll payment via gift cards. |
| IRS / Government | Robocalls claiming legal action — agencies never call to demand instant payment. |
Red flag: Any caller who pressures you to pay immediately with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency is almost certainly running a scam. Hang up and verify through an official number.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State for every code across the country.
Nearby & Related Indiana Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is Indianapolis, IN?
Indianapolis’s primary area code is 317, in service since 1947, overlaid by 463.
Is 463 a real Indianapolis area code?
Yes. 463 is the FCC-approved overlay for the 317 region, added in 2016 to expand number capacity across the Indy metro.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in Indianapolis?
Yes. With the 463 overlay active, all local calls in the 317 region require 10-digit dialing.
What time zone is Indianapolis in?
Indianapolis is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST/EDT), like most of Indiana. The northwest and southwest corners of the state are on Central Time.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.