The 208 area code is Idaho’s area code. It covers the whole state, from Boise in the south to Coeur d’Alene in the north. It shares the state with the 986 area code.
Idaho has two time zones, which makes 208 a little unusual. This guide explains that, along with the cities, the history and what to do about unknown 208 calls.
208 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Idaho |
| Location | The entire state of Idaho |
| Time zone | Mountain Time in southern Idaho, Pacific Time in the northern panhandle |
| In service since | 1947 |
| Type | Original geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 986 (overlay) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 208 Area Code Located?
Area code 208 covers all of Idaho. Main cities:
- Boise
- Meridian
- Nampa
- Idaho Falls
- Pocatello
- Twin Falls
- Coeur d’Alene
- Lewiston
What Time Zone Is the 208 Area Code In?
Boise is on Mountain Time.
- Mountain Standard Time (MST), UTC-7, in winter
- Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), UTC-6, from mid March to early November
That puts it two hours behind New York and one hour ahead of Los Angeles. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 208 Area Code
- 1947: 208 is created as one of the 86 original area codes. It covers the entire state of Idaho.
- November 2, 2015: the Idaho Public Utilities Commission approves an overlay code, 986.
- August 5, 2017: ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory statewide as 986 comes into use.
Idaho went 70 years with a single area code. It was never split. The overlay means both codes now cover the whole state.
One Area Code, Two Time Zones
Most of Idaho, including Boise, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls, is on Mountain Time. The northern panhandle, including Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston, is on Pacific Time, one hour behind. The area code alone cannot tell you which zone a caller is in. If you are phoning a 208 number in the north, remember that it is an hour earlier there than in Boise.
How to Dial a 208 Number
Because more than one area code can serve the same streets, always dial the full ten-digit number.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 208 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 208 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 208 a Scam?
A 208 number usually belongs to an Idaho resident or business. Many people who moved to Idaho in recent years kept their old out-of-state numbers, and many who left kept 208, so the code is no guarantee of where someone lives.
Watch for these warning signs:
- A recorded voice that says an account is locked or suspended
- A caller who wants payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto
- A text with a link about a delivery, a toll or a refund
- A request for a one-time code that was just sent to your phone
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 208 call
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. A real caller leaves a message.
- Look up the company and call the number on its website.
- Block the number on your phone.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 208 Phone Number
A local 208 number helps a business look established in Boise.
- Carriers: new lines in Idaho receive 208 or 986 depending on supply.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 208 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 208
| 986 | Same area as 208 |
| 509 | Spokane and eastern Washington |
| 406 | Montana |
| 801, 385, 435 | Utah |
| 775 | Northern Nevada |
| 541, 458 | Eastern and southern Oregon |
Related guides: 206 area code for Seattle, 303 area code for Denver, 702 area code for Las Vegas.
208 Area Code FAQs
What state is area code 208?
Idaho. It covers the entire state.
What city is area code 208?
Boise is the largest. Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Coeur d’Alene also use 208.
What is area code 986?
It is the overlay for all of Idaho. Ten-digit dialing for it became mandatory on August 5, 2017.
What time zone is 208?
Mountain Time in most of the state and Pacific Time in the northern panhandle.
Is 208 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 208 area code has covered Idaho since 1947 and shares the state with 986. Most of it is on Mountain Time, with the north on Pacific Time. Check unknown callers before you call back.
