Montana is served by a single area code as of 2026. This guide walks through which code it is, when it was assigned, how it has held up against population growth, and what the prospects look like for additional codes in the future.
The Short Answer
Montana currently has one active area code in service. The code has held its territory without needing relief since it was assigned, which reflects Montana’s population size and the rate at which new phone lines are being activated in the state.
By population, Montana ranks #43 nationally with roughly 1,137,233 residents as of the most recent estimates. That puts the state’s area code count in line with its population peers — denser, faster-growing states need more codes; smaller states need fewer.
The Montana Area Code
The active area codes serving Montana are listed below, in numerical order. Where a code is an overlay or a split-off from an earlier code, that relationship is noted.
- 406 — Entire state of Montana
How Montana’s Area Codes Grew Over Time
Montana received its first area code, 406, when the North American Numbering Plan launched in 1947. That single code initially covered the entire state, and subsequent splits and overlays narrowed it over the decades that followed.
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Browse Montana Area Codes →- 1947 — 406 assigned as Montana's sole area code at the launch of the North American Numbering Plan, covering the entire state. It has never been split or overlaid and remains Montana's only area code.
What’s Next for Montana Area Codes
Montana is one of a small group of states still served by a single area code, alongside Alaska, the Dakotas, and Wyoming. 406 has faced repeated exhaust projections over the years, including 2019, 2022, late 2027, and 2031, each of which was pushed back through number-conservation measures the Montana Public Service Commission implemented under federal authority. In August 2025 the PSC approved rate-center consolidation and related optimization strategies that extended the projected exhaust date to the first quarter of 2033. NANPA generally begins relief planning three years before a forecasted exhaust, which would be early 2030 in this case, but the PSC continues to favor conservation over introducing a second Montana code. No new area code is in service or formally planned as of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many area codes does Montana have?
Montana has one area code, 406, which covers the entire state. It has been Montana’s only area code since the North American Numbering Plan launched in 1947 and has never been split or overlaid.
What is the oldest area code in Montana?
406 is the oldest active area code in Montana, assigned in 1947 when the North American Numbering Plan launched. It remains in service today, though its geographic footprint has typically been reduced by subsequent splits and overlays.
What is the 406 area code known for?
406 has become an unofficial symbol of Montana, appearing on local merchandise and business names across the state. Some Montanans celebrate April 6 (4/06) as an informal “406 Day” in its honor.
Is Montana getting a second area code?
Not in the near term. The 406 numbering pool is currently projected to exhaust in the first quarter of 2033, and the Montana Public Service Commission has prioritized number-conservation measures to keep 406 as the state’s only area code for as long as possible. No second code is in service or formally planned as of 2026.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in Montana?
Because Montana has a single area code with no overlay, ten-digit dialing is not required for in-state calls in the way it is in overlay regions. Many Montanans still dial 406 out of habit or for clarity, and ten-digit and 1+ten-digit dialing both work.
Ready to Get a Number in Montana?
We carry available Montana numbers right now. Order a 406 number directly — a one-time fee, no monthly charges, with pricing From $150 depending on the digit pattern and memorability of the number. Prefer help choosing? Call us at (212) 580-2000.
