Area code 501 covers Little Rock and surrounding areas in Arkansas. It is one of the original 86 area codes established by AT&T in 1947. For the full picture, see all Arkansas area codes.
| State | Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Little Rock |
| Cities also served | Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Benton, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | January 1, 1947 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | Yes |
| Overlay codes | None |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Local seven-digit dialing may still apply |
Cities Served by Area Code 501
Area code 501 serves Central Arkansas, anchored by the Little Rock metropolitan area and surrounding communities in Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Garland, White, Lonoke, and adjacent counties, including the following cities and communities:
- Little Rock
- North Little Rock
- Conway
- Hot Springs
- Benton
- Sherwood
- Jacksonville
- Cabot
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 479, 870, 327.
How to Get a 501 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 501 area code, each suited to a different need:
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Browse 501 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 501 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 501 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 501 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 501 number. If you already have a 501 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 Arkansas sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 501 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 501 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 501 numbers for Little Rock, Arkansas — 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 501 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 501 area code still in use?
Yes. 501 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Central Arkansas, anchored by the Little Rock metropolitan area and surrounding communities in Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Garland, White, Lonoke, and adjacent counties.
Can I get a 501 number if I don't live in Arkansas?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 501 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 501 a scam area code?
No. 501 is a legitimate, active area code for Central Arkansas, anchored by the Little Rock metropolitan area and surrounding communities in Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Garland, White, Lonoke, and adjacent counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 501 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Arkansas businesses, government offices, and residents.
What cities are covered by area code 501?
Area code 501 covers central Arkansas, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Benton, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot, Bryant, and Maumelle, among other communities.
Does area code 501 have an overlay?
No. As of 2026, area code 501 has no overlay. It is the sole area code for its central Arkansas service territory. Ten-digit dialing is still required locally due to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline implementation, which took effect on October 24, 2021.
When did area code 501 stop covering all of Arkansas?
Area code 501 originally covered the entire state of Arkansas from 1947. It lost its statewide coverage in 1997 when area code 870 was split off to serve eastern and southern Arkansas, and again in 2002 when area code 479 was created for northwestern Arkansas.
