The area code 860 is located in Bristol, Connecticut.
Area code 860 serves Bristol, Connecticut and much of north-central and eastern Connecticut. It was created in 1995 when the long-standing 203 area code was split to handle growing demand for phone numbers. The 959 overlay was added in 2014, so 10-digit dialing is standard across the region. Bristol sits in Hartford County, near the Hartford metro, giving 860 strong ties to the state’s political and economic center.
Established: 1995; Overlay: 959 (2014) — Source: North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)
Area code 860 reaches many major communities and landmarks, from the Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford to the shoreline hub of New London. Key cities in 860 include:
In Bristol, 860 connects callers to big-name places like ESPN’s world headquarters and Lake Compounce, the nation’s oldest continuously operating amusement park. If you see an 860 phone number, it’s typically from Connecticut; newer numbers may show the 959 overlay but cover the same area. Both 860 and 959 use Eastern Time and follow the same local calling rules. With a mix of historic towns, colleges, and employers—especially around Hartford—860 remains one of Connecticut’s most active and recognizable area codes.