The 909 area code covers part of Southern California’s Inland Empire, east of Los Angeles. It includes San Bernardino, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Pomona, and it shares the area with 840.
This guide covers the location, the cities, the time zone and the history of 909, plus what to do when a 909 number you do not know calls.
909 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | San Bernardino, Ontario, Pomona and nearby Inland Empire cities |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | November 14, 1992 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 840 (overlay since February 23, 2021) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 909 Area Code Located?
Area code 909 is located where Los Angeles County meets San Bernardino County. It covers the far east of Los Angeles County, the southwest of San Bernardino County and a small part of Riverside County. Main cities:
- San Bernardino
- Ontario
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Fontana
- Pomona
- Chino
- Upland
- Redlands
- Claremont
What Time Zone Is the 909 Area Code In?
The Inland Empire is on Pacific Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC-8, in winter
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC-7, from mid March to early November
That makes it three hours behind New York and two hours behind Chicago. Check the clock before you dial, especially if you are several time zones away.
History of the 909 Area Code
- 1951: 714 is created for the region south and east of Los Angeles.
- November 14, 1992: 909 is split from 714 and takes the Inland Empire.
- July 17, 2004: western Riverside County is split off as 951.
- February 23, 2021: 840 is added as an overlay.
Until 2004, cities such as Riverside, Corona and Temecula were also in 909. They now use 951.
909 and the Inland Empire
The Inland Empire is one of the fastest-growing parts of California and a major hub for warehouses and trucking, thanks to its rail lines, freeways and an international airport in Ontario. Logistics, delivery and staffing companies there make and receive a huge number of calls, which is one reason 909 needed an overlay.
How to Dial a 909 Number
You need the area code for every call, even a local one.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 909 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 909 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 909 a Scam?
Most 909 calls are local residents, employers and delivery services. Job-related scams are worth watching for here, especially texts that offer warehouse or delivery work and then ask for personal details or a payment.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Threats of arrest, a lawsuit or a service shut-off unless you pay today
- Offers of a prize, a loan or a job that need a fee first
- Callers who already know part of your details and ask you to “confirm” the rest
- One-ring calls that try to make you call back
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 909 call
- Do not answer numbers you do not know.
- Never share a PIN, password or passcode with someone who called you.
- Block repeat callers and turn on your carrier spam filter.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 909 Phone Number
Want a 909 number of your own? There are a few ways to get one.
- Carriers: new lines in the area get 909 or 840, with 840 becoming more common.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 909 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 833 area code.
Area Codes Near 909
| 840 | Same area as 909 |
| 951 | Riverside, Corona, Temecula |
| 626 | Pasadena, West Covina, El Monte |
| 714, 657 | Anaheim, Santa Ana |
| 760, 442 | Victorville and the High Desert |
Related guides: 949 area code for Orange County, 818 area code for the San Fernando Valley, 213 area code for Los Angeles.
909 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 909?
There are several. The largest are San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Pomona.
Is Riverside in 909?
No. Riverside moved to 951 in 2004.
What is area code 840?
It is the overlay for the 909 area and has been in service since February 23, 2021.
What time zone is 909?
Pacific Time.
Is 909 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 909 area code covers the San Bernardino and Ontario side of the Inland Empire on Pacific Time. It has been in service since 1992 and shares its area with 840. Check unknown callers before you call back.
