Area Code for Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma’s second-largest city, runs on two area codes — 918 (established 1953) and 539 (overlay since 2011) — covering a wide swath of northeastern Oklahoma from the Art Deco skyline of downtown Tulsa to the foothills of the Ozarks.

Whether you’re tracing an incoming Tulsa call, setting up a local business number, or just curious how the Oil Capital of the World got its area code, this guide covers the complete picture: code history, metro coverage by district, Oklahoma-specific scams, notable companies, and how to get a Tulsa number in minutes.

What’s the area code for Tulsa?

Tulsa is served by two area codes, both covering the same northeastern Oklahoma geography under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP):

Code	Established	Type	Coverage	Notes
918	Jan 1, 1953	Original	NE Oklahoma incl. Tulsa metro	Split from statewide 405; most-recognized Tulsa code
539	Apr 1, 2011	Overlay	Same as 918	First Oklahoma overlay; OCC-approved; 10-digit dialing required

Both codes share the Central Time Zone (CT) — UTC−6 in winter, UTC−5 in summer.

A practical rule: a 918 number is an established Tulsa line, likely a business or long-tenured resident. A 539 number is a newer assignment from 2011 onward. Both are equally local, and either builds the same trust with a Tulsa audience.

Oklahoma City and central Oklahoma use area code 405 (with the 572 overlay since 2021). Western and southern Oklahoma use area code 580 (since 1997).

Tulsa metro area codes by region

Area codes 918 and 539 cover the same territory — there is no geographic boundary between them. Either code can appear anywhere across the Tulsa metro and the broader northeastern Oklahoma region.

Downtown Tulsa, Brookside, and Cherry Street

Downtown Tulsa — including the historic Art Deco district, the BOK Center arena, and the revitalized Blue Dome entertainment district — holds the densest concentration of established 918 numbers. Oil company headquarters, law firms, and financial services firms that have held 918 lines for decades anchor the urban core.

Brookside and Cherry Street are Tulsa’s walkable commercial corridors, home to independent restaurants, boutiques, and professional offices — all on 918/539.

Midtown Tulsa

Midtown stretches from the University of Tulsa campus westward through established residential neighborhoods. The University of Tulsa, founded 1894, uses 918 numbers across its campus and athletic operations. Midtown carries a high density of medical practices, legal offices, and financial advisors on long-tenured 918 lines.

Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow (~115,000) is Tulsa’s largest suburb and one of the fastest-growing cities in Oklahoma. It sits southeast of Tulsa along the Creek Turnpike. All Broken Arrow numbers are 918/539. The city’s Rose District is a notable downtown revitalization effort.

Bixby

Bixby (~30,000) sits south of Tulsa along the Arkansas River — a fast-growing bedroom community with a strong agricultural and residential base. Fully within 918/539.

Owasso

Owasso (~38,000) is north of Tulsa along US-169. One of the state’s fastest-growing cities, it has become a destination for families relocating to the Tulsa metro. All Owasso numbers are 918/539.

Jenks

Jenks (~25,000) sits directly south of Tulsa across the Arkansas River. The Oklahoma Aquarium, a major regional attraction, operates on a 918 number here. Fully 918/539 territory.

Sand Springs

Sand Springs (~20,000) is west of Tulsa on the Arkansas River. It has an industrial and manufacturing heritage dating to its founding as a planned community by Charles Page in 1908. All Sand Springs numbers are 918/539.

Bartlesville (north of Tulsa)

Bartlesville (~36,000) is about 45 miles north of Tulsa along US-75. It is the home of ConocoPhillips’ original operations and Phillips 66. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower stands in downtown Bartlesville — one of his few completed skyscrapers. Fully 918 territory.

Muskogee (southeast of Tulsa)

Muskogee (~37,000) is about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa on the Arkansas River. It serves as the economic hub for several southeastern Cherokee and Creek Nation communities. The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is located here. All Muskogee numbers are 918/539.

History of Tulsa area codes

Tulsa’s area code timeline follows the story of Oklahoma’s post-WWII growth and the eventual strain on the original telephone numbering system.

1947 — 405 is born. AT&T engineers design the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and assign area code 405 to the entire state of Oklahoma. Every Oklahoma phone — Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Enid — shares a single code.

January 1, 1953 — 918 splits off northeastern Oklahoma. Population growth and expanding telephone lines strain the single statewide code. AT&T peels off Tulsa and all of northeastern Oklahoma as area code 918. Western and central Oklahoma remain 405. Tulsa finally has its own code.

1997 — 580 splits off western and southern Oklahoma. Further growth prompts a second split. Area code 580 takes western and southern Oklahoma — Lawton, Enid, Ardmore, and the Panhandle. Area code 918 remains stable for northeastern Oklahoma.

2010 (January 4) — OCC approves 539 overlay. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the state’s telecom regulator, approves an all-services overlay after NANPA projects 918 will exhaust available number blocks. Area code 539 is selected. The overlay method avoids forcing existing 918 customers to change their numbers.

March 5, 2011 — 10-digit dialing becomes mandatory. All local calls in the 918/539 region must now be dialed with the full 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit number).

April 1, 2011 — 539 activates. New lines begin receiving 539 assignments. The 918/539 overlay becomes the first overlay in Oklahoma history.

Sources: NANPA, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Wikipedia — Area codes 918 and 539.

918 as Tulsa identity

Area code 918 carries cultural weight that runs deep into Tulsa’s history and identity.

The Oil Capital of the World. Tulsa earned the title “Oil Capital of the World” during the early 20th century oil boom — a period when the city’s oil industry produced more wealth per capita than almost anywhere on earth. Major oil companies headquartered here during the 1910s–1930s shaped the city’s skyline, architecture, and civic identity. That heritage is baked into every 918 number.

Art Deco architecture. Tulsa’s downtown holds one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco architecture in the United States. The oil boom funded elaborate skyscrapers and civic buildings constructed in the 1920s–1930s. The Philcade and Philtower buildings, both on 918 numbers, are landmarks of the style. Tulsa is sometimes called the “Art Deco Capital of the World.”

The Gathering Place. The Gathering Place on the west bank of the Arkansas River opened in 2018 as one of the largest privately funded public parks in US history (~$465 million). It has become the signature landmark of Tulsa’s modern reinvention and a major driver of tourism to the 918 corridor.

BOK Center and live events. The BOK Center (opened 2008), anchored in the 918 downtown, is a 19,000-seat arena that hosts major concerts, hockey (Tulsa Oilers), and events. It regularly ranks among the top-grossing arenas in the world relative to its market size.

Greenwood District and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The Greenwood District — once called “Black Wall Street” — was one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States in the early 20th century. On May 31–June 1, 1921, a white mob destroyed the neighborhood in what became known as the Tulsa Race Massacre, killing hundreds and leaving 10,000 Black residents homeless.

The centennial commemoration in 2021 brought national attention back to Greenwood. Today, the Greenwood Cultural Center and 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission operate in the rebuilt district — all on 918 numbers.

University of Tulsa. Founded in 1894, the University of Tulsa (TU) is a private research university known for its petroleum engineering and law programs. TU’s Golden Hurricane athletic teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. The campus is fully within the 918 overlay zone.

Tulsa area code spam and scams

Northeastern Oklahoma area codes are actively spoofed. Tulsa-specific scam patterns include:

PSO utility shutoff impersonation. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), the main electric utility serving Tulsa, has formally warned customers about scammers posing as PSO representatives. Callers threaten immediate power disconnection unless payment is made by phone — often demanding pre-paid debit cards or wire transfers. PSO never asks for pre-paid card payments. Verify your account by calling PSO directly at 833-776-7697 before acting on any unsolicited call.

Fake Tulsa County warrant threats. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office has documented scammers telling residents they have a warrant for failing to appear for a federal grand jury summons. Callers demand immediate payment of hundreds or thousands of dollars — via cash cards, cash apps, or Bitcoin kiosks — to avoid arrest. This is fraud. Law enforcement does not collect fines by phone.

IRS arrest impersonation. A persistent nationwide fraud with heavy Oklahoma targeting. Callers claim you owe back taxes and will be arrested unless you pay immediately by phone. The IRS does not cold-call or demand phone payments.

Fake post-tornado contractor fraud. Oklahoma averages more tornadoes per square mile than any other state. After severe weather events, scammers contact affected residents posing as FEMA representatives or licensed contractors, demanding upfront cash for repairs that never materialize.

Fake oil and gas investment fraud. Given Tulsa’s oil-industry heritage and the concentration of energy companies in the 918 code, fraudsters sometimes pitch fake oil/gas investment opportunities by phone — targeting residents’ familiarity with the industry. The Oklahoma Securities Department and FBI Oklahoma City field office have warned about these schemes.

STIR/SHAKEN and business call trust. The FCC mandates that carriers implement STIR/SHAKEN — a caller authentication framework that assigns A, B, or C attestation to each outbound call. A-attestation means the carrier fully verified the calling party owns the number. C-attestation is unverified — the signature of spoofed scam calls.

Spoofed scam calls show C-attestation and appear as “Spam Likely” on modern smartphones. A Tulsa business number through DialPhone carries A-attestation — so your calls reach customers as verified, not screened.

See FCC guidance on spoofing and caller ID and our STIR/SHAKEN glossary entry.

How to get a Tulsa business phone number

Getting a 918 or 539 number for your business takes under 10 minutes through a cloud VoIP provider. No Tulsa office required.

Step 1: Choose your area code. Both 918 and 539 carry equal local credibility in Tulsa. If 918 specifically matters for brand recognition — the original Tulsa code — check availability first, as 918 inventory is more limited.

Step 2: Sign up with DialPhone. Search available Tulsa numbers by area code during signup at DialPhone pricing. Filter by 918 or 539 depending on availability and preference.

Step 3: Assign the number to your team. Route the Tulsa number to your mobile, desktop app, or shared team queue. Add a voicemail greeting, call menu, or AI receptionist as needed.

Step 4: Set outbound caller ID. Configure your 918 or 539 number as your outbound caller ID so calls you make display the local number — not a toll-free number or personal cell.

Step 5: Port existing numbers if needed. Already have a Tulsa number with another carrier? Bring it to DialPhone through number porting. US local number ports typically complete in 2–5 business days.

See our number porting guide for the full walkthrough, or start a free trial to claim your Tulsa number today.

Famous companies in Tulsa area codes

Tulsa’s 918/539 overlay maps to one of the most energy-dense corporate clusters in the United States.

ONEOK — HQ Tulsa, 918. One of the largest natural gas gathering, processing, and transportation companies in North America. NYSE: OKE. ONEOK’s operations span 35,000+ miles of pipeline across the US.

Williams Companies — HQ Tulsa, 918. A major US natural gas infrastructure and processing company with operations across 33 states. NYSE: WMB. One Williams Center (Bank of Oklahoma Tower) is the tallest building in Oklahoma at 667 feet — and runs on a 918 number.

Helmerich & Payne — HQ Tulsa, 918. One of the largest US contract drilling companies for oil and natural gas. NYSE: HP. Founded in Tulsa in 1920 during the oil boom.

QuikTrip — HQ Tulsa, 918. A privately held convenience store and gasoline retailer with 1,000+ locations across 15 states. Founded in Tulsa in 1958. Headquarters at 4705 S. 129th E. Ave runs on a 918 number.

Cherokee Nation Businesses — HQ Catoosa, 918. The business arm of the Cherokee Nation, one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma. Operations span gaming, manufacturing, government services, and healthcare.

Bank of Oklahoma (BOK Financial) — HQ Tulsa, 918. One of the largest financial services companies in the south-central United States. BOK Financial operates across eight states. NASDAQ: BOKF.

Magellan Midstream Partners — HQ Tulsa, 918. Operator of the longest refined petroleum products pipeline system in the US. NYSE: MMP (acquired by ONEOK in 2023).

AAON Inc. — HQ Tulsa, 918. A commercial and industrial HVAC manufacturer; one of the few US HVAC companies that manufactures entirely domestically. NASDAQ: AAON.

Vast Bank — HQ Tulsa, 918. First federally chartered bank in the US to offer cryptocurrency services directly through bank accounts. A Tulsa-native fintech pioneer.

Tulsa Health System — HQ Tulsa, 918. One of the largest health systems in Oklahoma, including Hillcrest Medical Center and several specialty hospitals. A primary employer in the 918 corridor.

Tulsa’s industry mix — energy infrastructure, contract drilling, financial services, healthcare, and logistics — means a 918 or 539 number signals multi-sector B2B credibility in a market generating over $50B in annual economic output.

Tulsa area code FAQ

Tulsa area code FAQ

What is the area code for Tulsa, Oklahoma? +

Tulsa uses two area codes: 918 and 539. Area code 918 is the original, established on January 1, 1953, when northeastern Oklahoma split off from the statewide 405 code. It has served Tulsa and the surrounding region ever since.

Area code 539 was added on April 1, 2011 as a full overlay — the first overlay in Oklahoma history. Both codes cover the same northeastern Oklahoma geography. Ten-digit dialing became mandatory on March 5, 2011, when 539 activated.

Is 539 the same area as 918? +

Yes. Area code 539 is a complete overlay of 918. Both serve identical northeastern Oklahoma territory — there is no geographic split between them. A 539 number is just as local as a 918 number anywhere in the Tulsa metro.

New lines assigned after April 2011 frequently receive 539. Existing 918 holders kept their numbers. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission chose an overlay specifically to avoid forcing businesses and residents to change established numbers.

What cities are in the 918 area code? +

Area code 918 (and its 539 overlay) covers a large swath of northeastern Oklahoma. Major cities include Tulsa (~410,000 — second-largest city in Oklahoma), Broken Arrow (~115,000), Owasso (~38,000), Bixby (~30,000), Jenks (~25,000), Sand Springs (~20,000), Bartlesville (~36,000), Claremore (~20,000), Muskogee (~37,000), Sapulpa (~21,000), and Tahlequah (~17,000).

The region also includes Catoosa (home of Cherokee Nation Businesses), McAlester, and over 200 smaller communities across northeastern Oklahoma.

When did Tulsa get the 539 area code? +

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) approved the 539 overlay on January 4, 2010. The transition phase began in August 2010. Mandatory 10-digit dialing for all northeastern Oklahoma local calls took effect on March 5, 2011, and new 539 assignments began on April 1, 2011.

The overlay was the first in Oklahoma state history. The OCC chose an overlay rather than a geographic split to prevent businesses from having to change their established 918 numbers.

What time zone is the 918 area code? +

Area codes 918 and 539 are in the Central Time Zone (CT). Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC−6; Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC−5. Oklahoma observes daylight saving time, switching on the second Sunday in March and reverting on the first Sunday in November.

For business callers: Tulsa is 1 hour behind New York (ET), the same as Chicago (CT), and 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PT).

Are calls from 918 numbers spam? +

Not inherently. Thousands of legitimate Tulsa businesses use 918 numbers daily. The problem is caller ID spoofing — scammers fake local 918 or 539 numbers to increase answer rates.

Common Tulsa-area scam patterns include PSO utility shutoff impersonation, fake Tulsa County warrant threats, IRS arrest fraud, fake post-tornado contractor fraud, and oil/gas investment scams. STIR/SHAKEN (FCC-mandated authentication) assigns A, B, or C attestation to calls. Spoofed calls typically show C-attestation and appear as 'Spam Likely.' A Tulsa number through DialPhone carries A-attestation — the highest trust level.

Can I get a Tulsa 918 or 539 number without a Tulsa office? +

Yes. Virtual (VoIP) phone numbers are not tied to a physical address. Any business can get a 918 or 539 number through a cloud phone provider and route calls to any device — mobile, desktop app, or shared team queue.

DialPhone assigns available Tulsa numbers in minutes. No Oklahoma office required, no hardware, no long-term contract. Outbound calls display your 918 or 539 number as caller ID. If you already have a Tulsa number with another carrier, number porting to DialPhone typically completes in 2–5 business days.

What is the difference between 918 and 405 in Oklahoma? +

Area code 918 covers northeastern Oklahoma, anchored by Tulsa. Area code 405 covers central Oklahoma, anchored by Oklahoma City. The split occurred on January 1, 1953, when AT&T carved 918 out of the original statewide 405 code.

A third code — 580 — covers western and southern Oklahoma (Lawton, Enid, Ardmore) since 1997. Together, 405/572 (OKC), 918/539 (Tulsa), and 580 cover the entire state.

Get a Tulsa business number

A verified Tulsa 918 or 539 number builds instant local trust — whether you’re a national company entering the Oklahoma energy market or a local business that wants calls answered rather than screened as spam.

DialPhone provides Tulsa numbers with STIR/SHAKEN A-attestation, AI receptionist, call recording, and SMS — on a single plan with no hardware required.

Start your free trial → | See all plans →

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Related resources:

• 918 area code landing page
• 539 area code landing page
• Oklahoma area codes
• DialPhone business phone
• AI receptionist for Tulsa businesses
• Number porting guide