The area code 859 is located in Lexington, Kentucky.
Area code 859 serves Lexington, Kentucky and much of the surrounding Bluegrass Region, stretching north through Northern Kentucky along the Ohio River across from Cincinnati. It covers a mix of college-town energy, historic river cities, and rolling horse country. The region sits in the Eastern Time Zone, making it easy for business and travel connections across the eastern U.S.
Major cities and communities in area code 859 include:
From phone numbers to landmarks, 859 ties together some of Kentucky’s most famous places. In Lexington, you’ll find the University of Kentucky, Rupp Arena, Keeneland Race Course, and the Kentucky Horse Park. In Northern Kentucky, 859 includes the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Hebron and the historic riverfronts of Covington and Newport. The area blends equine culture, bourbon heritage, and a growing tech and logistics scene centered around the Cincinnati metro.
Established: 2000 (split from 606) — North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA)
A fun bit of trivia: on a phone keypad, 859 spells “UKY,” a nod locals often link to the University of Kentucky. For calls, dial +1 859 before the seven-digit number when calling from outside the United States. Whether you’re looking up a Lexington phone number or dialing a business in Northern Kentucky, area code 859 connects key hubs across central and northern Kentucky.