Where is Area Code 326?
Area code 326 is located in southwestern Ohio. This area code covers the vibrant and historic cities of Dayton, Springfield, and Kettering along with their surrounding communities, but it does not include the Cincinnati metro area. Area code 326 functions as an overlay for area code 937, meaning both codes are used in the same region. As a result, newly assigned numbers in this part of Ohio may now have either a 937 or a 326 prefix.For detailed jurisdictional and regulatory guidance, interested parties may refer to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio guidelines. Correspondence may also be directed to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio at 180 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215.
Administration and regulation of the 326 area code are handled by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA):
- Address: One Tower Center Boulevard, Suite 800, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
- Phone: 1-866-623-2282
- Email: support@nanpa.com
What Time Zone is 326 Area Code in the USA?
The 326 area code, like the rest of southwestern Ohio, is located in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). Residents and businesses in the 326 region follow Eastern Standard Time (EST) during autumn and winter, switching to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the spring and summer months when daylight saving time is observed. This is the same time zone as cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, maintaining uniformity with much of the eastern United States. For official U.S. time zone information, visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
History of the 326 Area Code
The 326 area code was introduced as an overlay to the 937 area code to address the growing demand for telephone numbers in southwestern Ohio. As the population increased and the number of devices needing phone numbers soared, the available pool of numbers under 937 alone became insufficient. Instead of requiring residents and businesses to change their existing phone numbers, regulators implemented the overlay approach—meaning that both the 937 and 326 codes are in use throughout the region. The introduction of 326 also brought a requirement for ten-digit dialing for all local calls, even between numbers that share the same area code.
How Many People Use the 326 Area Code?
The 326 area code, together with area code 937, serves a wide population in southwestern Ohio. This includes hundreds of thousands of residents, businesses, and organizations in urban centers like Dayton, Springfield, and Kettering, as well as their suburbs and surrounding rural communities. As new phone numbers are issued to support growth and increased mobile device use, more residents and businesses will be assigned numbers with the 326 area code.
Is the 326 Area Code Toll-Free?
The 326 area code is not a toll-free code. It is classified as a standard, geographic area code, serving southwest Ohio. Calls placed within this area code may be local or long-distance, depending on your service provider and specific location. U.S. toll-free area codes include 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833. For more information about toll-free services and regulations, visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
For area code assignments and regulatory details, you can always refer to the official North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA).