CallataGuides

Area code 312

Where 312 is, how it is dialed, which carriers hold its numbers and how many of its codes are in use, from NANPA's 10/01/2026 files.

State
IL
In service
1947
Assigned codes
784of 800 possible
Carriers
36

Where area code 312 is

312 is one of 17 geographic area codes serving Illinois; NANPA records its in-service date as January 1, 1947. It is an overlay: 312 and 872 cover the same territory, so neighbors on the same street can have different area codes. It is in the Central time zone. The places with the most assigned exchanges include Wheeling, Hinsdale, La Grange, Northbrook, and Roselle. By population, its largest named places are Wheeling, Northbrook, Roselle, Hinsdale, and La Grange.

Area code 312: NANPA facts
ItemValue
StateIllinois
In service sinceJanuary 1, 1947
OverlayYes, with 872
Time zoneCentral
Local calls within the code1 plus ten digits
Assigned central office codes784
Rate centers with codes8
Carriers holding codes36
Pooled codes413
Codes assigned since 202012
Relief planning in progressNo

Source: NANPA NPA report and utilized central office code file, both dated 10/01/2026.

Places served by 312

312 holds 8.7% of the 8,977 central office codes assigned in Illinois, the 7th most of the state's 17 codes. 5 Census places could be matched to rate centers with 312 exchanges; the most populous are Wheeling (154,000), Northbrook (34,546), Roselle (22,871), and Hinsdale (17,598). For a storefront or service area inside 312, the place pages show which prefixes are rated local there.

Most populous places with 312 exchanges
PlacePopulation (2024)Area codesExchangesCarriers
Wheeling, IL153,558224, 312, 630, 708, 8477212
Northbrook, IL34,546224, 312, 630, 708, 815, 84726118
Roselle, IL22,871224, 312, 331, 630, 708, 84721914
Hinsdale, IL17,598312, 331, 630, 708, 84712013
La Grange, IL15,943312, 464, 630, 708, 815, 84725715

Population: Census Vintage 2024 estimates for the matched place. Exchanges and carriers: NANPA utilized code file.

How calls are dialed in 312

According to NANPA's dialing-plan data, local calls within 312 are dialed as 1 plus ten digits and toll calls as 1 plus ten digits. Ten-digit local dialing means the area code is part of how customers save and recognize your number, so print it in full everywhere.

Phone companies in area code 312

36 carriers hold the 784 central office codes assigned in 312. Illinois Bell Tel CO has the most, with 334 (43%). 413 of the codes (53%) are pooled, meaning the code holder shares blocks of 1,000 numbers with other carriers instead of using all 10,000 itself. Numbers can move between carriers through porting, so a code's holder tells you where the block started, not where every number lives now.

Largest code holders in area code 312
Carrier (NANPA operating company)ExchangesShare
Illinois Bell Tel CO33443%
New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC - Il8210%
T-mobile USA, INC.648.2%
Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless - Il546.9%
Mcimetro Access Transmission Services LLC334.2%
Level 3 Communications, LLC - Il334.2%
Spok, INC.334.2%
Teleport Communications America, LLC - Il222.8%
Onvoy, LLC202.6%
American Messaging Services, LLC141.8%
Paetec Itel, LLC131.7%
Bandwidth.com CLEC, LLC - Il121.5%

Carrier names are the operating company (OCN) names on NANPA's utilized central office code file dated 10/01/2026. A carrier holding a code may port numbers to other carriers.

Rate centers and towns in 312

NANPA assigns each central office code to a rate center, the local calling area that decides whether a call is local or toll. 312 has codes in 8 rate centers. The table lists the rate centers with the most codes, with the matching Census place where the abbreviation could be matched.

Rate centers in area code 312 by assigned codes
Rate center (NANPA)PlaceCodes
CHICGOZN01not matched746
WHEELINGWheeling, IL12
HINSDALEHinsdale, IL11
LA GRANGELa Grange, IL8
NORTHBROOKNorthbrook, IL3
ROSELLERoselle, IL2
CHICGOZN07not matched1
CHICGOZN04not matched1

Number supply in 312

An area code has 800 possible central office codes that start with 2 through 9, a few of which are reserved (such as N11 service codes and 555). 784 are assigned in 312, 98% of 800. 12 were assigned in 2020 or later.

Area code 312: central office codes by decade assigned
Decade assignedExchangesShare
2000s5628%
2010s13166%
2020s126.0%

Assignment dates as recorded in NANPA's utilized code file; codes without a recorded date are excluded.

Using area code 312 for business calls

Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.

If you already have a number in area code 312, porting it to Callata is free. Texting from a local number requires a one-time carrier registration (10DLC, $49), and the numbers available in any area code depend on carrier inventory when you choose them.

Optional AI agents (receptionist, sales, support or scheduler) can answer calls after hours or when nobody picks up, take messages, text, email and transfer to your team. They are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute, identify themselves as AI, and may only place outbound calls to people who consented, between 8am and 9pm.

Frequently asked questions

Where is area code 312?

312 is a geographic area code in Illinois. Places with the most assigned exchanges include Wheeling, Hinsdale, La Grange, and Northbrook.

What time zone is area code 312 in?

NANPA lists 312 in the Central time zone.

When did area code 312 go into service?

NANPA records an in-service date of January 1, 1947.

Is 312 an overlay area code?

Yes. It shares its territory with 872.

Can my business get a 312 phone number?

Callata includes up to 3 local numbers on its $99/month plan (5 users included). Which 312 numbers are open depends on carrier inventory when you choose, and you can port an existing number for free.