Idaho local data guide

Boise, Idaho Area Code Information

Boise and the entire state of Idaho are served by two area codes, 208 and 986, which function as a statewide overlay system.

Updated with grounded research as of 2026-08-23.

The short answer

Boise, Idaho, is served by two area codes: 208 and 986. Because these area codes function as a statewide overlay, every telephone number in Idaho effectively requires 10-digit dialing (the area code plus the seven-digit phone number) for all local calls. This system covers the entire state, and no geographic distinctions exist between the two codes.

Key facts

Area Codes
208 and 986
Coverage Area
Statewide (Overlay)
10-Digit Dialing
Mandatory for all local calls since August 5, 2017

The Statewide Overlay System

Idaho utilizes a "geographic overlay" system for its telecommunications. This means the newer 986 area code is superimposed across the same geographic region as the original 208 area code. Consequently, the two codes are not restricted to specific cities or regions; both are used throughout the entire state, from Boise to the panhandle.

History of Idaho Area Codes

For seventy years, Idaho was one of the few remaining jurisdictions in the United States served by a single area code. The 208 area code was established in 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. As demand for new telephone numbers—driven by the proliferation of mobile devices, internet services, and population growth—began to exceed the available supply of 208 numbers, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission implemented the 986 overlay on September 5, 2017.

Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing

To accommodate the transition to a two-code system, Idaho moved to mandatory 10-digit dialing on August 5, 2017. Residents and businesses must include the area code (208 or 986) when dialing any local number. This change also required many residents to update automated systems, such as alarm monitors, medical alert devices, and contact lists stored in mobile phones and other equipment.

Common questions

Do I need to dial 1 before the area code in Idaho?

Generally, for local calls, you must dial the 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit number). Depending on your specific service provider and if you are calling from a landline, you may occasionally need to dial '1' before the area code for certain types of long-distance or toll calls, but local calls within the state simply require the 10 digits.

Will my existing 208 number change?

No. Existing telephone numbers with the 208 area code remain unchanged. The 986 area code is only assigned to new telephone lines and services.

Related Idaho questions

  • How does 10-digit dialing affect local versus long-distance calls?
  • Are there different time zones within the 208/986 area code coverage?

Sources and verification