business phone · 8 min read
Area Code for Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis uses area codes 317 (1947 original) and 463 (2016 overlay). Guide to coverage, history, neighborhoods, companies, scams, and getting a local number.
Indianapolis — Indiana’s capital and largest city — uses area codes 317 and 463.
Area code 317 dates to 1947, making it one of the original NANP codes. Area code 463 is a 2016 overlay covering the identical nine-county territory.
Together they serve the Indianapolis metro: Marion County plus the suburban ring in Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Boone, Hancock, Morgan, Madison, and Shelby counties.
What’s the area code for Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is served by two area codes under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP):
| Code | Established | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 317 | 1947 | Nine-county Indianapolis metro (Marion + 8 surrounding counties) | Original Indiana NPA; Indy cultural identity code |
| 463 | Mar 15, 2016 | Identical to 317 territory | Full overlay; 463 spells “IND” on keypad; 10-digit dialing required |
Both codes share the same geographic footprint — there is no boundary between them.
All calls in the 317/463 area require ten-digit dialing since October 15, 2016.
Indianapolis is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) — UTC−5 in winter, UTC−4 in summer.
Indianapolis metro area codes by neighborhood
Area codes 317 and 463 cover Indianapolis proper and a wide ring of suburbs across nine counties.
Downtown Indianapolis and inner neighborhoods:
The urban core — Downtown, Broad Ripple, Mass Ave (Massachusetts Avenue arts district), Fountain Square, Irvington, SoBro (South Broad Ripple), Butler-Tarkington, and Speedway (home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) — all carry 317 or 463 numbers.
Marion County suburbs:
Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, Warren Township, and Pike Township are Marion County communities that use 317/463. Speedway is a separate municipality fully enclosed within Indianapolis but inside the 317/463 footprint.
Hamilton County (north and northeast):
Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville form Indianapolis’s fastest-growing northern suburbs. Hamilton County is one of the wealthiest counties in Indiana and hosts major corporate campuses, including Roche Diagnostics (US HQ, Carmel).
Hendricks County (west):
Avon, Plainfield, and Brownsburg are the primary western suburbs. Plainfield hosts a major FedEx hub and logistics corridor along I-70.
Johnson County (south):
Greenwood is the main southern suburb, with significant retail development along US-31. Franklin (county seat) is also within 317/463 coverage.
Surrounding area code 765:
Communities beyond the nine-county 317/463 footprint — Muncie, Anderson (partial), Lafayette, Terre Haute, Bloomington — use area code 765, split from 317 in 1997.
History of Indianapolis area codes
Indianapolis has a straightforward but historically significant area code story — one of the earliest codes, a major rural split, and a deliberately branded overlay.
1947 — 317 assigned. When AT&T engineers designed the NANP, Indiana received two original codes: 317 for the northern two-thirds (Indianapolis and north) and 812 for the southern portion. Indiana’s 317 designation reflects its mid-tier population rank; the original code assignment algorithm gave lower digits (shorter rotary-dial pulse trains) to more-populous states.
1948 — First area code split in US history. Just one year after the NANP launched, Indiana became the site of the first area code split in the country. Area code 219 was carved from the northern portion of 317, covering South Bend and Fort Wayne. Indianapolis retained 317 for central Indiana.
1997 (Feb 1) — 765 splits off rural Indiana. After 48 years without change, the explosive growth of pagers and cell phones in the 1990s exhausted 317’s number supply. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) approved a “donut split”: Marion County and eight surrounding metro counties kept 317, while the rural and mid-state ring — Lafayette, Terre Haute, Muncie, Kokomo — moved to new area code 765.
2016 (Mar 15) — 463 overlay enters service. Mobile phones and VoIP continued depleting 317. Rather than a second geographic split (which would have separated Indianapolis suburbs from the city), the IURC approved a full overlay. Area code 463 was chosen deliberately: it spells IND on the telephone keypad. The NANPA (nationalnanpa.com) administered the number assignment.
2016 (Oct 15) — 10-digit dialing mandatory. All local calls within 317/463 territory now require the full ten-digit number. The deadline was extended from September 15 to October 15 following an appeal from security alarm companies that needed time to reprogram auto-dialers. See the FCC’s overview: fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id.
317 as Indianapolis identity
Area code 317 has become a cultural shorthand for Indianapolis — appearing on city merchandise, Pacers gear, and local brand campaigns in the way 312 signals Chicago or 212 signals New York.
That identity is backed by genuine economic weight.
Sports and events capital: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana (317 territory) hosts the Indianapolis 500 — the world’s largest single-day sporting event by attendance. Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts) and Gainbridge Fieldhouse (home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers) anchor a downtown that consistently hosts major NCAA events. The NCAA moved its headquarters to Indianapolis in 1999 and has made the city its permanent home for the Final Four and other championships.
Healthcare and life sciences hub: Eli Lilly and Company — one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies — is headquartered in downtown Indianapolis (317). Anthem (now Elevance Health), the largest for-profit managed care company in the US by membership, is headquartered in Indianapolis (317). Indiana University Health, the state’s largest health system, is anchored in the 317 footprint.
Financial and industrial base: Simon Property Group (the largest retail REIT in the US by market cap) is headquartered in Indianapolis. Allison Transmission, Roche Diagnostics (US HQ, Carmel), Republic Airways, and Salesforce’s Indianapolis hub all contribute to a diversified economy that ranks Indianapolis among the Midwest’s most economically resilient metros.
Indianapolis area code spam and scams
Indianapolis area codes are spoofed regularly. Scammers use local 317 or 463 caller ID to increase answer rates among Indiana residents and businesses.
Indiana-specific scam patterns:
- Fake IRS tax debt calls — callers threaten arrest for unpaid taxes. The IRS never initiates contact by phone. See IRS tax scam guidance.
- Fake Eli Lilly or Anthem recruiting scams — callers impersonate HR staff from major Indianapolis employers to steal personal information or advance fees. Lilly and Anthem are two of Indy’s largest employers, making this a high-response lure.
- Duke Energy utility shutoff impersonation — callers claim an imminent power cutoff requiring immediate payment. Duke Energy’s Indiana service territory overlaps heavily with 317/463 coverage.
- Fake delivery notifications during NCAA events — Indianapolis hosts the NCAA Final Four and other major tournaments. Scammers time fake package-hold texts and calls around high-traffic event weeks.
- Medicare and Social Security fraud — Indiana’s senior population is a persistent target; spoofed 317 numbers claim benefit reviews or card replacements.
STIR/SHAKEN (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited / Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) is the FCC-mandated framework that fights caller ID spoofing. Carriers authenticate outbound calls and assign an attestation level — A (fully verified), B (partial), or C (gateway/unverified).
Spoofed scam calls typically receive C-attestation or no attestation at all, triggering “Spam Likely” labels on recipients’ screens. When you get an Indianapolis business number through DialPhone, your outbound calls carry A-attestation — the highest STIR/SHAKEN trust level — so customers see a verified caller rather than a warning flag.
For a full explanation of the authentication stack, see our STIR/SHAKEN glossary entry.
How to get an Indianapolis business phone number
Getting a 317 or 463 number takes under 10 minutes through a cloud VoIP provider. No Indiana office required.
Step 1: Choose your area code. Both 317 and 463 are valid Indianapolis numbers. Area code 317 carries stronger local recognition — it’s the code Indy customers associate with established local businesses. Area code 463 is equally functional and typically has better number availability.
Step 2: Sign up with a VoIP provider. DialPhone lets you search available Indianapolis numbers by area code during signup. See DialPhone pricing for current plan details.
Step 3: Assign the number to users or a team. Route the Indianapolis number to your mobile, desktop app, or a team queue. Set up a voicemail greeting, call menu, or AI receptionist as needed.
Step 4: Configure outbound caller ID. Set your 317 or 463 number as the outbound caller ID so every call you make displays a verified local number.
Step 5: Port existing numbers if needed. If you have an existing Indianapolis number with another carrier, you can bring it to DialPhone through number porting — typically 2–5 business days for US local numbers. See our number porting guide for the full process.
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Famous companies in Indianapolis area codes
The 317/463 footprint hosts a concentration of Fortune 500 and nationally recognized companies that punches above a mid-sized metro’s typical weight.
Pharmaceuticals and life sciences:
Eli Lilly and Company (HQ downtown Indianapolis, 317) is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, known for insulin, Prozac, and GLP-1 drugs including tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound). Roche Diagnostics (US HQ Carmel, 317/463) operates one of the largest diagnostics businesses in North America from Hamilton County.
Healthcare and insurance:
Anthem (now Elevance Health, HQ Indianapolis, 317) is the largest for-profit US health insurer by membership. Indiana University Health (HQ Indianapolis, 317) is the state’s largest health system with more than 40 hospitals statewide.
Real estate and finance:
Simon Property Group (HQ Indianapolis, 317) is the largest US retail REIT by market capitalization, operating more than 200 malls and premium outlets. CNO Financial Group (HQ Carmel, 317/463) is a major insurance holding company.
Manufacturing and transportation:
Allison Transmission (HQ Indianapolis, 317) is the world’s largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for commercial vehicles. Republic Airways (HQ Indianapolis, 317) operates as a regional carrier for major US airlines.
Sports and entertainment:
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, 317) hosts the Indianapolis 500 — the world’s largest single-day sporting event. Penske Entertainment (HQ Indianapolis, 317) operates IMS and the IndyCar Series.
Technology hub:
Salesforce’s Indianapolis presence — anchored by Salesforce Tower, the city’s tallest building — has made Indianapolis a recognized Midwest tech hub, alongside a growing life sciences tech cluster tied to Lilly and IU Health.
Indianapolis area code FAQ
Indianapolis area code FAQ
What is the area code for Indianapolis?
Indianapolis uses two area codes: 317 and 463. Area code 317 is the original, assigned in 1947 as one of the first 86 codes under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Area code 463 is a 2016 overlay that covers the exact same nine-county territory.
Both codes serve Marion County (the city proper) and surrounding Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Boone, Hancock, Morgan, Madison, and Shelby counties. New numbers in Indianapolis may be assigned either 317 or 463 depending on carrier availability.
Is 317 only for Indianapolis?
Area code 317 is centered on Indianapolis and Marion County, but it extends into eight surrounding counties: Hamilton (Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville), Hendricks (Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg), Johnson (Greenwood), Boone (Zionsville), Hancock (Greenfield), Morgan (Mooresville), Madison (Anderson), and Shelby (Shelbyville).
The rural counties further out — Muncie, Bloomington, Terre Haute, Lafayette — use area code 765, which was split from 317 in February 1997.
When did Indianapolis get the 463 area code?
Area code 463 entered service on March 15, 2016, as a full overlay of 317. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission approved the overlay plan after projecting that 317 would exhaust its number supply in 2017.
Ten-digit dialing became mandatory across the 317/463 region on October 15, 2016, following a brief extension from the original September 15 deadline (security alarm companies requested more time to reprogram auto-dialers). The 463 mnemonic — it spells IND on a telephone keypad — was deliberately chosen.
What cities are in the 317 area code?
The 317 area code covers Indianapolis and its suburban ring. Key cities include: Indianapolis (state capital), Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville (Hamilton County); Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg (Hendricks County); Greenwood (Johnson County); Anderson (Madison County); Mooresville (Morgan County); Greenfield (Hancock County); and Shelbyville (Shelby County).
All of these cities also accept 463 numbers as part of the overlay.
What is the difference between 317 and 463?
There is no geographic difference. Both 317 and 463 cover the identical nine-county Indianapolis metro territory. Area code 317 has been in use since 1947 and carries strong local identity — it appears on Indy merchandise, sports gear, and brand campaigns. Area code 463 was introduced in 2016 solely to add numbering capacity.
A business or resident in Indianapolis may receive either a 317 or 463 number depending on what is available from their carrier. Both are equally valid Indianapolis numbers.
Are 317 and 463 calls spam?
Legitimate 317 and 463 calls are not spam. However, scammers frequently spoof Indianapolis area codes to increase answer rates. Common Indiana-specific scam patterns include fake IRS tax debt calls, fake Eli Lilly or Anthem recruiting offers, Duke Energy utility shutoff impersonation, and fake delivery notices timed around NCAA tournament events.
Legitimate carriers implement STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication. When you get an Indianapolis business number through DialPhone, your outbound calls carry A-attestation — the highest STIR/SHAKEN trust level — so your calls reach customers as verified rather than flagged as 'Spam Likely.'
Can I get a 317 or 463 number outside Indiana?
Yes. Virtual (VoIP) phone numbers are not tied to a physical address. A business anywhere in the US — or internationally — can get an Indianapolis 317 or 463 number through a cloud phone provider and route calls to any device.
DialPhone assigns available Indianapolis numbers in minutes with no Indiana office required. The number rings on your mobile, desktop app, or team queue wherever you are, and outbound calls display your Indianapolis number as caller ID.
Is the 317 area code really named after the USS Indianapolis?
No. This is a persistent myth: the story claims 317 was chosen to honor survivors of the USS Indianapolis, sunk in 1945. Snopes rates this claim FALSE.
In 1947, AT&T engineers assigned area codes based on rotary-dial pulse efficiency — lower digits (1, 2) meant shorter pulse trains, so high-population states like New York (212) and California (213) got low-digit codes. Indiana's 317 reflects its mid-tier population rank at the time, not any tribute. The two-digit middle number (1) indicated a code spanning an entire state.
Get an Indianapolis business number
A verified Indianapolis 317 or 463 number builds immediate local trust — whether you are a national company entering the Indiana market or an Indianapolis business that wants its calls answered rather than screened as unknown.
DialPhone provides Indianapolis numbers with STIR/SHAKEN A-attestation, AI receptionist, call recording, and SMS — on a single plan with no hardware.
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About the author
Growth Operations Lead at DialPhone
Darshan leads Growth Operations at DialPhone, where he owns three interconnected programs: the comparison content operation, the open VoIP Pricing Dataset, and the test-call methodology used to verify every pricing claim published on the site.
His research process starts with hands-on product trials and live vendor quotes — not marketing pages. Pricing figures are cross-checked against actual invoices and re-verified on a rolling quarterly cycle, with the underlying dataset kept public for independent re-verification. That dataset now covers 40+ VoIP and virtual-number providers across the US and Canada market.
Darshan also leads DialPhone's AI receptionist evaluation program, running structured test-call scenarios across English, Spanish, and French to assess transcription accuracy, intent routing, and escalation behavior. Methodology notes and raw scoring are archived in the research section.
For factual corrections or dataset discrepancies, Darshan can be reached at the DialPhone editorial address. Verified corrections are published as errata with a changelog date — no silent edits.