859 Area Code: Where It’s Used & How to Get One

Area code 859 covers Lexington and surrounding areas in Kentucky. It was activated in 2000 as an overlay of area code 606. For the full picture, see all Kentucky area codes.

Quick Facts: Area Code 859

State	Kentucky
Primary city	Lexington
Cities also served	Lexington, Covington, Richmond, Florence, Georgetown, Nicholasville, Winchester, Danville
Time zone	Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST)
Year established	April 1, 2000
Original 1947 NPA?	No
Parent code	606
Overlay codes	None
Currently in use?	Yes, actively assigned
Ten-digit dialing required?	Yes

Cities Served by Area Code 859

Area code 859 serves Central and Northern Kentucky, including the Lexington metropolitan area, the Bluegrass Region, and the Northern Kentucky portion of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, including the following cities and communities:

• Lexington
• Covington
• Richmond
• Florence
• Georgetown
• Nicholasville
• Winchester
• Danville

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 502, 270, 364, 606.

How to Get a 859 Phone Number

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 859 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 859 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 859 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 859 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 859 number. If you already have a 859 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 Kentucky sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 859 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 859 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 859 numbers for Lexington, Kentucky — 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 859 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 859 area code still in use?
Yes. 859 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Central and Northern Kentucky, including the Lexington metropolitan area, the Bluegrass Region, and the Northern Kentucky portion of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

What is the parent area code of 859?
Area code 859 is an overlay of 606. Both codes serve the same region of Kentucky.

Can I get a 859 number if I don't live in Kentucky?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 859 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 859 a scam area code?
No. 859 is a legitimate, active area code for Central and Northern Kentucky, including the Lexington metropolitan area, the Bluegrass Region, and the Northern Kentucky portion of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 859 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Kentucky businesses, government offices, and residents.

What cities does area code 859 cover?
Area code 859 covers Lexington, Covington, Richmond, Florence, Georgetown, Nicholasville, Winchester, Danville, and dozens of other cities across 22 counties in central and northern Kentucky.

When did area code 859 go into service?
Area code 859 was assigned on August 9, 1999 and officially went into service on April 1, 2000, split from the 606 area code to relieve number exhaustion pressure in the Lexington region.

Does area code 859 have any overlay codes?
As of 2026, area code 859 has no overlay. It is the sole area code for its geographic region, though ten-digit dialing is required for all local calls since the October 2021 transition related to the nationwide 988 designation.

What is the mnemonic for area code 859?
On a standard telephone keypad, 8-5-9 spells UKY — a nod to the University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, the largest city in the 859 numbering plan area.

Related Reading

• When Did We Start Using Area Codes?
• How Many Area Codes Are In the US?
• Who Invented Area Codes?
• Why Use Area Codes For Local Calls?

Looking for a different code? See the complete US area code directory.