Duluth, Minnesota

Where Is Area Code 218?

Area code 218 is in northern Minnesota. It covers a large part of the state outside the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota. Duluth is one of its best-known cities, and the code reaches across the Arrowhead Region, the Iron Range, north-central Minnesota, and much of northwest Minnesota.

Area code 218 serves cities and communities such as Duluth, Bemidji, Brainerd, Moorhead, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, Crookston, and Thief River Falls. It covers many counties across northern Minnesota, including St. Louis County, Itasca County, Beltrami County, Crow Wing County, Clay County, and Carlton County. The service area is broad and includes both Lake Superior shoreline communities and inland rural areas.

Area code 218 includes notable geographic features such as Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and part of the Mississippi River headwaters region near Itasca State Park. Duluth sits on the western tip of Lake Superior. The area also includes mining communities on the Mesabi Iron Range.

History of Area Code 218

Area code 218 was established in 1947. It was one of Minnesota's original area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. From the start, it served the northern part of the state.

Area code 218 later faced growing demand for new phone numbers as wireless phones, fax lines, and other services expanded. On November 16, 2017, Minnesota added area code 742 as an overlay for the same region. Since that change, new numbers in the area may use either 218 or 742, and 10-digit dialing applies across the overlay area.

Key Facts About Area Code 218

• Area code 218 is in the state of Minnesota, and Duluth is one of its major cities.
• Area code 218 covers northern Minnesota, including communities in the Arrowhead, Iron Range, Brainerd Lakes, and Red River Valley regions.
• Area code 218 is in the Central Time Zone.
• Area code 218 is an original area code that began service in 1947.
• Area code 742 overlays area code 218, and the overlay began on November 16, 2017.
• Area code 218 includes the city of Duluth, home to the University of Minnesota Duluth.
• Area code 218 also includes Bemidji State University in Bemidji and Minnesota State University Moorhead in Moorhead.
• Area code 218 covers notable landmarks and regions such as Lake Superior, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and Itasca State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 218 in?

Area code 218 is in Minnesota.

What major cities use area code 218?

Major cities and communities that use area code 218 include Duluth, Bemidji, Brainerd, Moorhead, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, Crookston, and Thief River Falls.

Is area code 218 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 218 is a geographic area code for northern Minnesota.