The area code 816 is located in Kansas City, Missouri.
Area code 816 covers the Missouri side of Greater Kansas City and reaches into northwest Missouri, including the city of St. Joseph. Anchored by Kansas City, Missouri, it sits along the Missouri River and serves a major Midwestern hub for business, sports, and culture. It is a long-standing identifier for local phone numbers across western Missouri. Established in 1947, it remains one of the state’s most recognized telephone codes.
Within 816, you’ll find many well-known communities:
The code connects to landmark destinations such as Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex, Union Station, and the National WWI Museum and Memorial. In St. Joseph, the Pony Express National Museum highlights the region’s frontier history. These places help make 816 easy to spot on sports schedules, museum information, and local business phone numbers.
Today, 816 operates with an overlay, 975, so new phone numbers may use either area code and 10-digit dialing is standard across the region. The Kansas side of the metro uses 913, so an 816 number usually points to the Missouri side. Kansas City is also famous for barbecue and jazz, especially around the 18th & Vine district, adding cultural weight to the code.
“Area code 816 was assigned in 1947 as part of the original North American Numbering Plan.” — North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)