Where Is Area Code 208?
Area code 208 serves the entire state of Idaho. It covers Boise, the state capital, along with communities in northern, central, southwestern, and southeastern Idaho. Idaho is part of the Mountain West, and Boise is in Ada County.
The area code covers all 44 Idaho counties. Major population centers include Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, and Moscow.
The statewide footprint includes the Treasure Valley, the Boise River, the Snake River Plain, the Idaho Panhandle, and the Rocky Mountains. Notable sites include Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
Cities and Communities in the 208 Area Code
- Boise, Ada County
- Meridian, Ada County
- Eagle, Ada County
- Garden City, Ada County
- Kuna, Ada County
- Star, Ada County
- Nampa, Canyon County
- Caldwell, Canyon County
- Middleton, Canyon County
- Emmett, Gem County
- Mountain Home, Elmore County
- Idaho City, Boise County
- McCall, Valley County
- Payette, Payette County
- Fruitland, Payette County
- Weiser, Washington County
- Twin Falls, Twin Falls County
- Jerome, Jerome County
- Burley, Cassia County
- Rupert, Minidoka County
- Pocatello, Bannock County
- Chubbuck, Bannock County
- Blackfoot, Bingham County
- Idaho Falls, Bonneville County
- Ammon, Bonneville County
- Rexburg, Madison County
- Rigby, Jefferson County
- Moscow, Latah County
- Lewiston, Nez Perce County
- Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai County
- Post Falls, Kootenai County
- Hayden, Kootenai County
- Sandpoint, Bonner County
- Bonners Ferry, Boundary County
- St. Maries, Benewah County
- Hailey, Blaine County
- Ketchum, Blaine County
- Sun Valley, Blaine County
- Bellevue, Blaine County
- Salmon, Lemhi County
- Grangeville, Idaho County
- Orofino, Clearwater County
- Challis, Custer County
- Arco, Butte County
- American Falls, Power County
- Preston, Franklin County
- Malad City, Oneida County
- Soda Springs, Caribou County
- Kellogg, Shoshone County
- Wallace, Shoshone County
- Gooding, Gooding County
- Shoshone, Lincoln County
History of Area Code 208
Area code 208 was established in 1947 as one of the original North American Numbering Plan area codes. Its original assignment covered the entire state of Idaho, so it was not created through a later split from another Idaho area code.
Idaho added area code 986 as a statewide overlay in 2017 after the Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved the plan in 2015. The overlay addressed projected shortages of available 208 numbers and added capacity without changing existing numbers. Mandatory ten-digit dialing for local calls began in Idaho in 2017.
Key Facts About Area Code 208
- Area code 208 is a geographic area code for Idaho, with Boise as its primary city.
- The 2020 U.S. Census counted 1,839,106 residents in Idaho, giving the statewide 208 and 986 geographic footprint an approximate population of 1.84 million.
- Area code 208 is an original North American Numbering Plan area code created in 1947.
- Area code 986 is a statewide overlay for area code 208, not a geographic split.
- Boise State University is in Boise, and the University of Idaho is in Moscow.
- Idaho State University is in Pocatello within the 208 geographic area.
- Area code 208 includes landmarks such as the Idaho State Capitol, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.
- Boise, the primary city for area code 208, observes Mountain Time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 208 in?
Area code 208 is in Idaho.
What major cities use area code 208?
Major cities include Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, and Moscow.
What time zone is area code 208 in?
Area code 208 is associated with Mountain Time, the single time zone that Boise observes.
Is area code 208 a toll-free number?
No, area code 208 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free number.