Area Codes

Area Code 262: Kenosha, Wisconsin Coverage & History

June 14, 2026 · by David · 4 min read

Area code 262 covers Kenosha and surrounding areas in Wisconsin. It was activated in 1999 as an overlay of area code 414.

Quick Facts: Area Code 262
State Wisconsin
Primary city Kenosha
Cities also served Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, West Bend, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, New Berlin
Time zone Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST)
Year established September 25, 1999
Original 1947 NPA? No
Parent code 414
Overlay codes None
Currently in use? Yes, actively assigned
Ten-digit dialing required? Yes

Cities Served by Area Code 262

Area code 262 serves Southeastern Wisconsin suburbs of Milwaukee, including Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties, including the following cities and communities:

  • Kenosha
  • Racine
  • Waukesha
  • West Bend
  • Brookfield
  • Menomonee Falls
  • Mequon
  • New Berlin

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 414, 920, 608, 715.

How to Get a 262 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 262 area code, each suited to a different need:

  1. Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 262 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. Browse our 262 inventory.
  2. Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 262 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.
  3. Port an existing 262 number. If you already have a 262 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 Wisconsin sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 262 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 262 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 262 numbers for Kenosha, Wisconsin — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 262 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 262 area code still in use?
Yes. 262 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Southeastern Wisconsin suburbs of Milwaukee, including Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties.

What is the parent area code of 262?
Area code 262 is an overlay of 414. Both codes serve the same region of Wisconsin.

Can I get a 262 number if I don't live in Wisconsin?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 262 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 262 a scam area code?
No. 262 is a legitimate, active area code for Southeastern Wisconsin suburbs of Milwaukee, including Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 262 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Wisconsin businesses, government offices, and residents.

What cities are in the 262 area code?
Area code 262 serves dozens of cities in southeastern Wisconsin, including Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, West Bend, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, New Berlin, and Muskego, among others.

Is 262 the only area code for southeastern Wisconsin suburbs?
Yes. As of 2026, area code 262 has no overlay and is the sole area code for its territory outside Milwaukee County. No overlay is currently planned; number exhaust is projected no earlier than the early 2030s.

Do I need to dial 10 digits when calling within the 262 area code?
Yes. Ten-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) became mandatory for all calls within area code 262 by October 24, 2021, triggered by the nationwide designation of 988 as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Why was area code 262 created?
Area code 262 was created on September 25, 1999, as a split from area code 414, which was running low on available telephone numbers due to population growth and increased demand in the Milwaukee metropolitan region.

Related Reading

Written by

David

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