Area code 353 covers Madison and surrounding areas in Wisconsin. It was activated in 2023 as an overlay of area code 608. For the full picture, see all Wisconsin area codes.
| State | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Madison |
| Cities also served | Madison, Janesville, La Crosse, Beloit, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Platteville, Baraboo |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | September 15, 2023 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 608 |
| Overlay codes | 608 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 353
Area code 353 serves Southwestern and south-central Wisconsin, including Dane County and surrounding counties, including the following cities and communities:
- Madison
- Janesville
- La Crosse
- Beloit
- Sun Prairie
- Middleton
- Platteville
- Baraboo
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 262, 274, 414, 534, 715, 920.
How to Get a 353 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 353 area code, each suited to a different need:
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Browse 353 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 353 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 353 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 353 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 353 number. If you already have a 353 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 353 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 353 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 353 numbers for Madison, 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 353 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 353 area code still in use?
Yes. 353 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Southwestern and south-central Wisconsin, including Dane County and surrounding counties.
What is the difference between 353 and 608?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Wisconsin. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
What is the parent area code of 353?
Area code 353 is an overlay of 608. Both codes serve the same region of Wisconsin.
Can I get a 353 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 353 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 353 a scam area code?
No. 353 is a legitimate, active area code for Southwestern and south-central Wisconsin, including Dane County and surrounding counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 353 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Wisconsin businesses, government offices, and residents.
What state is area code 353 in?
Area code 353 is in Wisconsin, covering southwestern and south-central parts of the state including Madison, Janesville, La Crosse, Beloit, and Sun Prairie.
Is area code 353 an overlay or a split?
It is an overlay. Area code 353 was added on September 15, 2023 to cover the same geographic territory as area code 608. New customers in the region may receive a 353 number; existing 608 customers keep their numbers.
Why was area code 353 created?
Rapid population growth in Dane County and the broader southwestern Wisconsin region pushed area code 608 close to exhaustion of available prefixes. NANPA and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission introduced 353 as an overlay to provide additional numbering capacity.
Do I need to dial ten digits when calling a 353 number?
Yes. Because 353 is an overlay of 608, all local calls within the region require ten-digit dialing — the three-digit area code plus the seven-digit number.
Related Reading
- How Are Area Codes Assigned?
- Why the Right Area Code Matters
- When Did We Start Using Area Codes?
- How Many Area Codes Are In the US?
Browse every active US area code in one place.
