The area code 220 is located in Athens, Ohio.
Area code 220 serves Athens, Ohio, and the wider southeast and east-central parts of the state as an overlay to area code 740. It was introduced in 2015 to add more phone number capacity, and it uses mandatory 10-digit dialing across the region. Athens sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau, along the Hocking River, and is best known as the home of Ohio University. The 220/740 service area follows Eastern Time (ET).
“According to the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), area code 220 is an all-services overlay of 740 requiring 10-digit dialing.” (NANPA)
In addition to Athens, area code 220 covers many communities in southeastern and east-central Ohio, including:
This overlay means there’s no geographic boundary between 220 and 740—both serve the same places, and new numbers may be assigned with either code.
Athens is a vibrant college town with historic brick streets and a lively uptown near campus, making it a cultural hub for the region. Ohio University, founded in 1804, is one of the oldest public universities in the United States and a key landmark in the 220/740 area. For callers, the overlay is simple: keep using your existing number, dial 10 digits for local calls, and remember that three‑digit services like 911 still work the same. If you see a 220 phone number, it’s local to the broader 740 territory—covering hills, rivers, small towns, and one of Ohio’s classic college communities.