317 Area Code: Quick Overview, Location, Map, Scams
12 min read
What is the 317 Area Code? Time Zone and Location
- Area code 317 serves Indianapolis, IN, and the surrounding areas — it has a single overlay (463) that serves the same area.
- Combined with overlay 463, it covers 39 cities across 11 counties in central Indiana, serving a population of 2,124,505.
- The 317 area code covers cities including Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Lawrence, Westfield, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Mooresville, Beech Grove, Zionsville, and Franklin.
- The 317 area code is located in the Eastern Time Zone — following Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) during standard time and Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) during daylight saving time from March through November. This is the same time zone as the 380 area code in Columbus, Ohio.
- Area code 317 was one of the 86 original area codes established on January 1, 1947 — making it one of the oldest area codes in the country, with overlay 463 introduced on December 15, 2016, to accommodate growing demand.
- 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls within the 317/463 overlay complex. Format numbers easily using our Phone Number Formatter.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 317 |
| Country | United States |
| State / Region | Indiana (Indianapolis metropolitan area — central Indiana) |
| Area Code Type | General purpose area code with overlay 463 |
| Overlay Codes | 463 |
| Major Cities Covered | Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Lawrence, Westfield, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Mooresville, Beech Grove, Zionsville, Franklin, Speedway, Cumberland, McCordsville, Whiteland, Bargersville, New Palestine |
| Primary City Association | Indianapolis, Indiana (state capital and largest city in Indiana) |
| Geographic Coverage | 39 cities across 11 counties in central Indiana, including Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Boone, Hancock, Morgan, Shelby, Madison, Putnam, and Brown counties — the core Indianapolis metropolitan statistical area |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
| Standard Time Offset | UTC −5 hours |
| Daylight Saving Time | UTC −4 hours (EDT) |
| DST Period (2026 Example) | March → November |
| Introduced / Activation Date | January 1, 1947 — one of the original 86 area codes established in the North American Numbering Plan |
| Reason for Overlay | Overlay 463 was introduced on December 15, 2016 because 317 was running out of available telephone numbers due to sustained population growth and the proliferation of mobile and VoIP devices in the Indianapolis metro |
| Dialing Requirement | 10-digit dialing mandatory (due to 317/463 overlay complex) |
| Coverage Nature | Overlay complex — 317 and 463 share the same Indianapolis metropolitan geography |
| Population Coverage | Combined with overlay 463, serves a population of 2,124,505 across the Indianapolis metropolitan area |
| Nearby / Related Area Codes | Bordered by 765 (Muncie/Lafayette) to the north and east, 812/930 (Bloomington/Evansville) to the south, 260 (Fort Wayne) to the northeast, and 331 Area Code (Chicago suburbs) and 380 Area Code (Columbus, OH) in neighboring states. See also midwestern guides like the 405 Area Code (Oklahoma City). |
| Telecom System | North American Numbering Plan (NANP) |
| Major Carriers | AT&T Indiana holds the largest share of 317 prefixes, followed by Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Indiana Bell (now AT&T), and Comcast — with a mix of traditional landline, wireless, and VoIP assignments |
| Example Phone Format | (317) XXX-XXXX |
| Usage Type | Mobile, landline, and VoIP numbers — with 317 being the historically dominant area code for all Indianapolis-area communications since 1947 |
| Business Use | Essential for establishing local presence in Indianapolis, the 16th largest city in the United States and a major hub for motorsports, pharmaceuticals, insurance, logistics, and amateur athletics |
| Number Availability | 317 prefixes are heavily utilized due to the area code's 79-year history — overlay 463 provides continued number availability for new Indianapolis-area assignments |
| Area Code Status | Active and mature — one of the most recognized area codes in the Midwest, firmly associated with the Indianapolis brand |
| Common Legitimate Callers | IU Health system staff, Eli Lilly and Company representatives, Indiana state government offices, Indianapolis Motor Speedway operations, Anthem (Elevance Health) agents, and Salesforce (Indianapolis campus) support are among the most recognized legitimate callers from the 317/463 overlay complex |
| Economic Profile | Indianapolis is home to Eli Lilly and Company, Anthem (Elevance Health), Simon Property Group, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (home of the Indy 500), and the NCAA headquarters, with a diverse economy spanning pharmaceuticals, insurance, sports, logistics, technology, and healthcare, making it one of the most affordable and fastest-growing major cities in the country |
Is the 317 Area Code a Scam?
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Spam Ranking | Ranked among the top 50 area codes nationally for spam complaints, reflecting Indianapolis's large population and high call volume — significantly more spam activity than newer overlay codes like the 380 area code |
| Most Common Complaint Type | Prerecorded voice and robocall complaints dominate — making up roughly 45% of all reports, followed by live caller scams and text spam |
| Top Reported Cities for Complaints | Indianapolis, IN leads with the majority of complaints, followed by Carmel, IN, Fishers, IN, Greenwood, IN, and Noblesville, IN |
| Peak Complaint Period | Spam complaint volumes spike during tax season (January–April) and during major Indianapolis events such as the Indy 500 (May) when scammers exploit heightened local call activity |
| Spam Growth | Indiana has seen a significant increase in spam calls over the past year, with robocall volumes growing steadily as scammers target the state's large, trusting Midwestern population — the 908 area code in New Jersey and the 440 area code in Cleveland suburbs have seen similar trends |
| Indiana Statewide Fraud Context | In 2024, Indiana residents filed tens of thousands of unwanted call complaints with the FTC — with imposter scams, auto warranty schemes, and fake government agency calls leading complaint categories statewide |
| Common Labels | Fake IRS/tax debt collector, auto warranty extension, fake utility (IPL/AES Indiana) disconnection threat, Medicare/health insurance enrollment scam, fake student loan forgiveness offer |
| Spoofing Risk | Scammers frequently spoof Indianapolis-area phone numbers to trick recipients into answering — if you live in or near Indianapolis or have a 317 phone number yourself, scammers know you're more likely to answer what appears to be a local call. Verify suspicious incoming numbers with our Phone Number Validator. |
| Typical Strategy | Neighbor spoofing — appearing as a familiar Indianapolis, Carmel, or Fishers number to build trust before making fake tax debt, auto warranty, or utility disconnection demands |
| Signature Scam — Fake IRS Tax Debt Robocall | Automated calls claim to be from the IRS or Indiana Department of Revenue, threatening arrest, license suspension, or legal action unless an immediate payment is made via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — the real IRS never initiates contact by phone to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest |
| Signature Scam — Auto Warranty Extension Fraud | One of the most persistent robocall scams hitting 317 numbers — callers claim your vehicle's factory warranty is expiring and urge you to 'press 1' to speak with a specialist, then pressure you into paying hundreds of dollars for worthless extended warranty coverage on vehicles that may not even qualify |
| Signature Scam — AES Indiana (IPL) Utility Disconnection | Scammers call Indianapolis residents claiming to represent AES Indiana (formerly Indianapolis Power & Light), threatening immediate electricity shutoff unless a payment is made over the phone — AES Indiana has publicly warned that they never threaten immediate disconnection by phone or demand payment via gift cards or prepaid debit cards |
| Signature Scam — Medicare/Health Insurance Open Enrollment | During open enrollment periods, scammers call 317 numbers claiming to represent Medicare or health insurance companies, offering 'free' upgraded plans or threatening loss of coverage — collecting personal health information, Social Security numbers, and banking details from victims |
| Signature Scam — Student Loan Forgiveness Fraud | With Indiana's large university population (Indiana University, Purdue University, Butler University), scammers target 317 numbers with fake student loan forgiveness offers — claiming affiliation with the Department of Education and demanding upfront fees for loan discharge applications that are actually free through official government channels |
| Reporting Authority | Report suspicious calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the Indiana AG Consumer Protection Division at in.gov/attorneygeneral; for AES Indiana scams, call AES directly; register on the Indiana Do Not Call list |
| Key Risk Indicator | Robocalls demanding immediate payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency claiming to be the IRS, automated 'warranty expiring' messages demanding you press 1, AES Indiana/IPL calls threatening same-day power shutoff, Medicare enrollment calls requesting Social Security numbers, or student loan callers demanding upfront fees for free federal programs |
| Safety Tip | The IRS will never call demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest — they communicate via official mail. AES Indiana sends multiple written notices before any service action. Never pay a caller with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Create safe greetings using our Voicemail Greeting Generator. |
What Are the Business Benefits of the 317 Area Code?
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Local Presence | A 317 number establishes immediate local credibility in Indianapolis, Indiana's state capital, the 16th largest city in the United States, and a major hub for pharmaceuticals, motorsports, insurance, and logistics — home to Eli Lilly, the Indy 500, and the NCAA headquarters. Connect an AI receptionist to capture inbound customer calls around the clock. |
| Customer Trust Factor | The 317 area code has been synonymous with Indianapolis since 1947 — it carries instant recognition and deep trust among local residents, making it significantly more effective than out-of-state numbers for customer outreach and service calls |
| Coverage Advantage | One number covers 39 cities across 11 counties in the Indianapolis metro area, reaching the full breadth of Marion County's urban core and the surrounding suburban communities of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, and Zionsville |
| Brand Heritage | As one of the original 86 area codes from 1947, 317 carries a legacy association with established Indianapolis businesses — particularly valuable for professional services, healthcare, insurance, and automotive industries seeking to project stability and longevity |
| VoIP Compatibility | Easily available for SaaS platforms, cloud PBX solutions, and remote support teams serving the Indianapolis market. Plan staffing requirements with our Erlang C Staffing Calculator. |
| Scalability | Combined with overlay 463, the Indianapolis numbering pool provides robust long-term availability — critical for growing businesses that need multiple lines across departments and locations |
| Marketing Use | Ideal for local SEO, digital campaigns, and customer outreach across Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Lawrence, Westfield, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, and surrounding communities. Evaluate customer acquisition efficiency with our Customer Acquisition Cost Calculator. |
| Startup Friendly | Attractive for tech, healthtech, insurtech, and logistics startups, given Indianapolis's low cost of living, growing tech workforce, and the presence of major accelerators like TechPoint and the Elevate Ventures ecosystem. Forecast expansion targets with our Sales Growth Calculator. |
| Call Routing Flexibility | Can route calls globally while appearing local to Indianapolis customers — particularly valuable for pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, and logistics firms managing national operations from Indianapolis, similar to how the 331 area code serves Chicago-area businesses |
| Top Industries | Pharmaceuticals and life sciences (Eli Lilly, Roche Diagnostics), insurance and financial services (Anthem/Elevance Health, OneAmerica), motorsports and sports (Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NCAA, NFL Colts, NBA Pacers), healthcare (IU Health, Community Health Network, Ascension St. Vincent), logistics and distribution (FedEx hub, Amazon fulfillment), and technology (Salesforce, Infosys) all benefit most from a local 317 presence |
| Use Case Examples | AI receptionist, pharmaceutical and life sciences support lines, insurance customer service, healthcare practice and hospital network lines, motorsports and event management operations, sports organization communications, logistics dispatch and tracking, technology company support desks, real estate agencies, and local retail and hospitality businesses across the Indianapolis metro |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is the 317 Area Code?
What is the 317 area code?
The 317 area code is a telephone area code in Indiana, United States. It serves the Indianapolis metropolitan area and is one of the original 86 area codes established in 1947.
Where is the 317 area code located?
The 317 area code is located in central Indiana. It mainly serves Indianapolis and nearby communities in Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Boone, Hancock, Morgan, Shelby, Madison, Putnam, and Brown counties.
Which cities use the 317 area code?
The 317 area code is commonly used in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Lawrence, Westfield, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Beech Grove, Zionsville, and nearby areas.
Is 317 an Indianapolis area code?
Yes, 317 is the primary Indianapolis area code. It has served the Indianapolis metropolitan area since 1947 and remains the most recognized area code for the city alongside the newer 463 overlay.
What time zone is the 317 area code in?
The 317 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This area observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4) during Daylight Saving Time.
Is the 317 area code a scam?
No, the 317 area code itself is not a scam. It is an authentic North American Numbering Plan area code for Indiana. However, scammers can spoof any area code, including 317, to make calls look local. Be careful with unknown callers asking for personal, banking, or verification information, and verify numbers with our Phone Number Validator.
Is 317 a toll-free area code?
No, 317 is not a toll-free area code. Toll-free area codes include 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for a 317 number?
Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for local calls in the 317 and 463 area code region. This requires dialing the 3-digit area code followed by the 7-digit local phone number.
What area code overlays 317?
The 463 area code overlays the 317 area code. Both area codes serve the same general region in central Indiana.
When was the 317 area code created?
The 317 area code was established on January 1, 1947, as one of the original 86 area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. Overlay 463 was added on December 15, 2016.
Can I get a business phone number with the 317 area code?
Yes, many VoIP and telecom service providers offer 317 numbers for businesses. A 317 number establishes a trusted local presence in Indianapolis and central Indiana.
Is a 317 number good for local businesses?
Yes, a 317 number is excellent for businesses targeting customers in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Greenwood, Avon, and nearby communities. The 317 area code carries deep trust and instant recognition built over nearly 80 years of service.
Can I keep my 317 number if I move?
In many cases, yes. Mobile and VoIP numbers can usually be kept even if you move to another city or state, depending on your phone carrier and service type.
Why am I getting calls from a 317 number?
A call from a 317 number may come from a local resident, healthcare provider (such as IU Health), pharmaceutical company (such as Eli Lilly), insurance agent, state government office, or business in the Indianapolis area. If you do not recognize the number, let it go to voicemail and verify the caller before responding.
What should I do if I get spam calls from a 317 number?
If you receive spam calls from a 317 number, do not share personal information. Block the number, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and deploy an AI receptionist to screen unwanted automated robocalls.
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