The 480 area code is in Arizona. It is best known as the code for the East Valley of the Phoenix area: Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert. Since 2023 it has been combined with 602 and 623 into one overlay for metro Phoenix.
This guide covers the location, the unusual time zone, the history and what to do about unknown 480 calls.
480 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Arizona |
| Location | Phoenix metropolitan area, traditionally the East Valley: Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe |
| Time zone | Mountain Standard Time all year (UTC-7), no daylight saving time |
| In service since | March 1, 1999 |
| Type | Geographic area code, now part of an overlay |
| Shares its area with | 602 and 623 (overlay since September 12, 2023) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 480 Area Code Located?
Area code 480 is located in central Arizona, in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The cities most closely linked with it are:
- Mesa
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Chandler
- Gilbert
Phoenix itself was traditionally 602, and the West Valley, including Glendale and Peoria, was 623.
What Time Zone Is the 480 Area Code In?
The Phoenix area is on Mountain Standard Time all year.
- UTC-7 in every season
- No daylight saving time, so the clock never changes
That puts it on the same time as Denver in winter and the same time as Los Angeles in summer. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 480 Area Code
- 1947: 602 is created for the entire state of Arizona.
- March 19, 1995: Arizona outside the Phoenix area moves to 520.
- March 1, 1999: a three-way split divides metro Phoenix. 602 keeps central Phoenix, 480 takes the East Valley and 623 takes the West Valley.
- September 12, 2023: the boundaries between 480, 602 and 623 are removed. The three codes become one overlay, and ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory.
What the 2023 Change Means
Before September 2023, you could tell which side of Phoenix a number was from by its area code. That is no longer certain. New numbers with any of the three codes can now be issued anywhere in the metro area. Existing numbers did not change, so most 480 numbers you meet today are still East Valley numbers.
Arizona’s clock is also worth remembering. Most of the state does not use daylight saving time, so the time difference with other states changes twice a year.
How to Dial a 480 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 + 480 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 480 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 480 a Scam?
A 480 number usually belongs to a resident or business in Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe or nearby. The area has many call centers and financial service offices, so sales and support calls from 480 are common.
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 480 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 480 Phone Number
A local 480 number helps a business look established in the Phoenix area.
- Carriers: new lines in metro Phoenix can now be given 480, 602 or 623, whichever has numbers available.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 480 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 480
| 602 | Phoenix |
| 623 | Glendale, Peoria and the West Valley |
| 520 | Tucson and southern Arizona |
| 928 | Flagstaff, Yuma, Prescott |
Related guides: 702 area code for Las Vegas, 720 area code for Denver, 619 area code for San Diego.
480 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 480?
Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert, in the Phoenix area of Arizona.
Is 480 Phoenix?
It is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Central Phoenix was traditionally 602.
Does area code 480 use daylight saving time?
No. The Phoenix area stays on Mountain Standard Time all year.
What time zone is 480?
Mountain Standard Time, with no daylight saving time.
Is 480 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 480 area code covers the Phoenix area, mainly the East Valley, on Mountain Standard Time. It has been in service since 1999 and has been part of an overlay with 602 and 623 since 2023. Verify unknown callers before you respond.
