The area code 208 is located in Boise, Idaho.
Area code 208 serves all of Boise, Idaho, and the entire state, making it one of the most recognizable Idaho phone number prefixes. It was established in 1947 as part of the original North American Numbering Plan and covered the whole state for decades. In 2017, Idaho added the 986 overlay, so both 208 and 986 now cover the same areas, and 10‑digit dialing is required statewide. Boise sits in southwestern Idaho in the Treasure Valley and is the state capital and largest city.
Area code 208 reaches major cities and landmarks across Idaho, not just Boise. Here are some well-known communities within the 208/986 service area:
You’ll find key sites like the Idaho State Capitol, Boise State University, the Boise River Greenbelt, Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, Lake Coeur d’Alene, and Craters of the Moon within the broader 208 region. Idaho spans two time zones, with Boise in Mountain Time and parts of the Panhandle in Pacific Time, which can matter for call times. Because of the statewide overlay, a 208 phone number can be assigned anywhere in Idaho, so the area code alone doesn’t confirm a caller’s exact city. An interesting bit of trivia: Idaho kept a single area code for 70 years before adding 986.
“First assigned in 1947, 208 served as Idaho’s sole area code until the 2017 overlay.” — North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)
Key terms: 208 area code, Boise area code, Idaho phone numbers, Idaho area code 208, 986 overlay, 10-digit dialing in Idaho.