Area codes 214, 469, and 972


Area codes 214, 469 and 972 are the North American telephone area codes for Dallas, Texas, and most of the eastern portion of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
Area code 214 was one of the original area codes established with the North American Numbering Plan in October 1947. It originally covered the entire northeastern quadrant of Texas, from Fort Worth to the border with Arkansas and Louisiana. In 1954, most of Tarrant County was combined with much of the eastern portion of area code 915 to form area code 817.
Despite Dallas' dramatic growth in the second half of the 20th century, this configuration remained in place for 36 years. Finally, in 1990, the entire eastern portion of the 214 area code was split off with area code 903.
The 1990 split was intended as a long-term solution, but within five years 214 was close to exhaustion due to the rapid growth of the Metroplex as well as the popularity of cell phones, fax machines and pagers. As a remedy, all of the old 214 territory outside Dallas and Dallas County was split off with area code 972 in 1995. Within only two years, however, both 214 and 972 were on the verge of exhaustion again. Area code 469 was introduced on July 1, 1999 in an overlay plan for most of the eastern portion of the Metroplex. At the same time, the 214-972 boundary was "erased," and 972 was converted into an additional overlay for the entire region. The result was three area codes overlaying the same area, with ten-digit dialing required for all calls.
While this had the effect of allocating over 23 million numbers to an area of just over nine million people, under current projections the Dallas area will need a fourth area code by mid-2021.
Since 2000, 214 and 972 have served as overlays for portions of eastern Tarrant County which are closer to Dallas.
Starting in 2021 any new numbers will be assigned area code 945.
Counties served by these area codes:
Towns and cities served by these area codes: