Knoxville, Tennessee

Where Is Area Code 865?

Area code 865 serves Knoxville and much of East Tennessee. It covers the Knoxville metropolitan area and nearby communities in the Tennessee Valley region. This part of the state sits in the Eastern Time Zone.

Area code 865 includes Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, and Clinton. It serves all or parts of counties such as Knox County, Blount County, Anderson County, Loudon County, Roane County, Sevier County, and Union County. The code also reaches many smaller communities around these cities.

Area code 865 covers a region near the Tennessee River and the Great Smoky Mountains. Notable places in the area include downtown Knoxville, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Sevier County and Blount County. The region is known for the Tennessee Valley and the mountain foothills of East Tennessee.

History of Area Code 865

Area code 865 was created on November 1, 1999, in a split from area code 423. The split gave the Knoxville area its own code as telephone demand grew in East Tennessee. The number 865 was chosen because it spells "VOL" on a telephone keypad, a reference to the University of Tennessee Volunteers.

Area code 865 remains a standalone geographic area code. Public records from the Tennessee Regulatory Authority and the North American Numbering Plan show it as a split code, not an overlay. The growth of Knoxville and surrounding counties increased the need for more telephone numbers in the late 1990s.

Key Facts About Area Code 865

• Area code 865 is in Tennessee, and its largest city is Knoxville.
• Area code 865 uses Eastern Time.
• Area code 865 was created on November 1, 1999, in a split from area code 423.
• The digits 865 match the letters V-O-L on a standard telephone keypad.
• Area code 865 serves the Knoxville area and nearby cities such as Maryville, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, and Clinton.
• The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is located in area code 865.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory is located in the 865 area code region.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park is adjacent to communities served by area code 865 in East Tennessee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 865 in?

Area code 865 is in Tennessee.

What major cities use area code 865?

Major cities in area code 865 include Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, and Clinton.

Is area code 865 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 865 is a geographic area code for Knoxville and surrounding parts of East Tennessee.