Area Code 850 Location

Area code 850 serves the northwest corner of Florida, anchored by Pensacola on the Gulf Coast and stretching across the Florida Panhandle into the Big Bend. It was introduced in 1997 after a split from 904, and today it shares the same region with the 448 overlay, which helps meet demand for new phone numbers. The 850 territory is unique because it spans two time zones: Pensacola and the western Panhandle use Central Time, while communities to the east use Eastern Time. This area is known for white-sand beaches, historic sites, and a strong military presence.

Major cities and landmarks covered by area code 850 include:

• Pensacola (Naval Air Station Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore)
• Tallahassee (Florida’s state capital; Florida State University and Florida A&M University)
• Panama City and Panama City Beach
• Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Niceville (near Eglin Air Force Base)
• Navarre, Apalachicola, St. George Island, and the Apalachicola National Forest
• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge along the Big Bend coast

With its mix of historic downtowns, military bases, and coastal resorts, 850 phone numbers are common for businesses, schools, and tourism across the Panhandle. New lines may be assigned either 850 or 448, and 10‑digit dialing is standard across the overlay region. If you see an 850 number, it most often points to northwest Florida communities along the Gulf of Mexico, from Pensacola to Tallahassee and the Big Bend.

"Area code 850 was created in 1997 from area code 904 to serve the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend." — North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)