Area code 208 covers Boise and surrounding areas in Idaho. It is one of the original 86 area codes established by AT&T in 1947. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 986.
| State | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Boise |
| Cities also served | Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Lewiston |
| Time zone | Mountain (UTC-7 / UTC-6 DST (majority); small Pacific zone areas UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST) |
| Year established | January 1, 1947 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | Yes |
| Overlay codes | 986 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 208
Area code 208 serves Entire state of Idaho, including the following cities and communities:
- Boise
- Nampa
- Meridian
- Idaho Falls
- Pocatello
- Coeur d'Alene
- Twin Falls
- Lewiston
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 986.
How to Get a 208 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 208 area code, each suited to a different need:
- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 208 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Contact us about a 208 number.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 208 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
- Port an existing 208 number. If you already have a 208 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of Idaho sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 208 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
212areacode.com specializes in Manhattan 212 numbers and select premium area codes. We don’t currently maintain a 208 inventory, but we may be able to source a 208 number through our carrier relationships. Contact us with your requirements and we’ll let you know what’s available.
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Browse 212 Numbers →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 208 area code still in use?
Yes. 208 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Entire state of Idaho.
What is the difference between 208 and 986?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Idaho. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
Can I get a 208 number if I don't live in Idaho?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 208 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 208 a scam area code?
No. 208 is a legitimate, active area code for Entire state of Idaho. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 208 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Idaho businesses, government offices, and residents.
Does area code 208 cover all of Idaho?
Yes. Area code 208 has covered the entire state of Idaho since 1947 and continues to do so today alongside its statewide overlay, area code 986.
Why was area code 986 added to Idaho?
Idaho’s population growth and surging wireless demand pushed area code 208 toward number exhaustion. The Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved area code 986 as a statewide overlay on November 2, 2015, and it entered service on November 5, 2016, with ten-digit dialing becoming mandatory on August 5, 2017.
Do I need to dial ten digits for local calls in Idaho?
Yes. Because 986 overlays the entire 208 territory, ten-digit dialing is mandatory statewide for all calls, whether local or long distance.
What time zone is area code 208 in?
The vast majority of the 208 area code falls in the Mountain Time Zone (UTC-7, or UTC-6 during Daylight Saving Time). A small portion of southern Idaho near the Nevada border observes Pacific Time.
