Illinois Area Codes Explained

Are you wondering what area code corresponds to your Illinois city? This detailed guide dives into lookup tools, city-based breakdowns, and more.
From local users to virtual phone system seekers, understanding Illinois’ telephone code system helps with routing calls, marketing, and compliance.
How Illinois Phone Codes Work
Illinois telephone area codes identify specific geographic territories, helping manage number allocation across cities.
Supervised by NANPA and the FCC,, Illinois area codes follow a format shared across the U.S. and Canada. For official standards, visit NANPA’s website.
Illinois Area Code List
Here is a breakdown showing city coverage and overlays:
- 217 – Central Illinois including Springfield
- 309 – Peoria, Bloomington, and western parts of IL
- 312 – Downtown Chicago only
- 773 – Rest of Chicago outside downtown
- 872 – Covers greater Chicago metro
- 847 – North Chicago suburbs
- 224 – Overlay for 847
- 630 – Western suburbs
- 331 – Overlay for 630
- 708 – Southwest Chicago suburbs
- 815 – Rockford and northern IL
- 779 – Same coverage region
- 464 – Newest overlay for Chicago
To learn more about official overlays and numbering plans, visit the FCC Area Code Resources.
Illinois Area Code Search Tools
Several trusted databases to find an Illinois area code by city or number.
- TrueCaller – Reverse lookup and spam detection
- Whitepages – Detailed contact search and verification
- Nomorobo – Great for spam and robocall filtering
- YouTube: Illinois Area Codes Explained – Helpful visual resource
- Wikipedia List – See historical and current Illinois codes
Using Illinois Phone Codes for Business Presence
Businesses operating in or targeting Illinois use local area codes to establish trust, improve response rates, and localize presence.
Using VoIP and virtual phone systems, getting a number with an Illinois area code is now easy and affordable.
If you're setting up a professional phone system with a local presence, explore Illinois-based VoIP services from Bling.
Overlay Area Codes in Illinois
Many IL area codes now have overlays due to high population and business growth.
Here are the main overlays:
- 872 – Overlays 312 and 773 (Chicago)
- 464 – Newest overlay for 708 (Chicago suburbs)
- 224 – Overlays 847 (Northern suburbs)
- 331 – Overlays 630 (Western suburbs)
- 779 – Overlays 815 (Northern Illinois)
Overlay codes don’t replace old ones but coexist here in the same region.
Regional Breakdown: Northern, Central, and Southern Illinois Area Codes
Here’s how the area codes are split by region in Illinois:
Northern Illinois
- 312, 773, 872 – Chicago metro|Downtown and metro Chicago
- 847, 224 – Evanston, Waukegan, North Shore|Northern suburbs
- 630, 331 – Naperville, Wheaton, Oak Brook|Western suburbs
- 708, 464 – Cicero, Oak Lawn, South suburbs
- 815, 779 – Rockford, Joliet, Kankakee
Central Illinois
- 217 – Springfield, Urbana, Decatur
- 309 – Peoria, Bloomington, Galesburg
Southern Illinois
- 618 – East St. Louis, Carbondale, Belleville
How VoIP Is Changing Illinois Phone Systems
VoIP lets you use any area code in Illinois without a physical presence.
Whether you're in downtown Chicago or remote southern Illinois, you can now get a local area code with VoIP solutions.
How to Get a Local Number in Illinois
Getting a business phone number with an Illinois area code enhances regional credibility.
For example, get an Illinois-based number instantly connects you with your target region.
You don’t need to be in Illinois physically—virtual systems handle routing through VoIP or PBX networks.
FAQ – Illinois Phone Codes
What is the area code for Chicago?
Downtown Chicago uses 312 while 773 is for outer districts.
How can I search Illinois area codes?
Use tools like TrueCaller, Whitepages, or check Wikipedia’s Illinois area code list.
Did Illinois add any new codes?
Yes, 464 was recently added to overlay 708 in Chicago suburbs.
Can I get a virtual phone number with an Illinois area code?
Yes! Use platforms like Bling to get an instant virtual Illinois number.
What happens if two people have the same area code?
Callers must dial all 10 digits to connect.
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