Complete Guide to Area Code 216: Everything You Need to Know

Cleveland’s calling—but is it who you think it is?

Whether you’re reconnecting with someone in Northeast Ohio or screening an unfamiliar number, understanding the 216 area code can help you spot spam faster. 

In this guide, we’ll cover where the 216 area code is located, its history, overlays, time zone, scam risks, and how to look up who’s behind a 216 number.

216 area code overview: key facts

What area code is 216?

216 area code location

Area code 216 serves Cleveland, Ohio, and several surrounding suburbs in Cuyahoga County. It’s one of the original area codes established in 1947 by the North American Numbering Plan and has become synonymous with the city’s identity. The total population in this region that 216 serves hovers around 1.26 million.

Cities in the 216 area code

• Cleveland
• Lakewood
• Euclid
• Cleveland Heights
• Parma
• Garfield Heights
• Shaker Heights
• East Cleveland
• Maple Heights

Well-known neighborhoods

216 is home to a variety of neighborhoods. Locals to the area may recognize some of their favorite spots, including:

• Ohio City – If you’re a foodie or beer enthusiast, this spot offers craft breweries and the West Side Market
• Tremont – A historic district that boasts art galleries, cafes, and Victorian architecture
• Downtown Cleveland – The business and entertainment hub—home to the sports arenas and theaters
• University Circle – Cultural hotspot; home to museums, hospitals, and Case Western Reserve University
• Glenville – An East Side neighborhood with roots in Cleveland’s civil rights legacy

Local landmarks

Some of the city’s most iconic attractions fall within the 216 area code:

• Lake Erie – Cleveland sits right on the water of the smallest of the Great Lakes
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Cleveland Museum of Art
• Progressive Field – Home of the Cleveland Guardians
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
• Playhouse Square – One of the largest performing arts centers in the U.S.
• Edgewater Park – A scenic lakefront park with beaches and skyline views

Zip codes serviced by area code 216

Area code 216 spans many of Cleveland’s core 44100s ZIP codes, including:

• 44101 – Central Cleveland
• 44102 – West Side
• 44103 – Glenville / Midtown
• 44104 – Kinsman / Central
• 44105 – Slavic Village
• 44106 – University Circle / Little Italy
• 44107 – Lakewood
• 44108 – Collinwood
• 44109 – Old Brooklyn / Stockyards

Surrounding area codes

Ohio is home to 15 area codes, but these four are the closest to the 216.

216 time zone & business tips

• Standard time: UTC -5:00 (Eastern Standard Time)
• Daylight saving time: UTC -4:00 (Eastern Daylight Time)
• Current offset: UTC −04:00 during Daylight Saving Time (EDT)
• Time zone abbreviation: ET (Eastern Time)

The 216 area code is located in the Eastern Time Zone, despite common assumptions that Ohio is in the Central Time Zone. Ohio observes daylight saving time, so residents in the 216 area code switch between:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST): November to March
• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): March to November

The history of area code 216

Originally, 216 covered the entire northeastern portion of Ohio.

Over time, due to population growth and increased demand for phone lines, the area was split:

Today, 216 is confined to central Cleveland and its closest suburbs, making it a symbol of local pride.

Future overlays may be introduced if the number supply nears exhaustion, but officials have predicted there won’t be a need for that until after 2030.

• Current dialing: 7-digit or 10-digit dialing (depending on your device or carrier settings)
• If an overlay is added, 10-digit dialing will become mandatory

Why a 216 number still turns heads

A 216 number signals authentic Cleveland roots. It’s the state’s most recognizable area code.

While newer codes like 330 and 440 serve the surrounding regions, 216 is a point of local pride for Clevelanders.

How to get a 216 phone number

If you’re aiming to get a 216 number, there are a few different ways to go about it depending on your needs.

1. Traditional carriers like Verizon®, T-Mobile®, and AT&T® offer straightforward setup and solid coverage across Cuyahoga County.
2. VoIP services are a popular alternative if you want flexibility or are trying to save on costs. Tools like Google® Voice, Grasshopper, or Vonage let you manage your number online and use it across multiple devices—but they do rely on a strong Wi-Fi connection to function reliably.
3. Virtual phone systems such as RingCentral, OpenPhone, or Zoom Phone are designed with businesses in mind. They come with features like call forwarding, auto attendants, and team-based extensions, making them ideal for remote or distributed teams, though pricing is often higher than personal-use platforms.
4. Number brokers cater to those looking for something specific, like a repeating number or easy-to-remember sequence. These services often resell rare or high-demand numbers, but tend to charge premium rates or additional fees.

In the end, your best option depends on whether you need something personal, professional, or custom. Each route has trade-offs in cost, convenience, and availability. Officials have not announced any plans for future overlay codes for the region, which suggests that there are still plenty of available numbers with a 216 prefix.

Spotting and blocking 216 area code scams

Ohio ranks among the top five states for Do Not Call complaints, indicating that residents receive significantly more unwanted calls than the national average.

Scammers sometimes spoof 216 numbers to appear local and more trustworthy to Northeast Ohio residents.

According to the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry, Ohio ranks #2 nationally with over 96,000 Do Not Call complaints reported in 2024. That means there are 822 complaints per 100,00 residents.

In 2024 for Cuyahoga County, Ohio, here’s what DNC data revealed:

• Rank: #18 in Ohio for complaints per 100k
• Complaints: 6,929
• Robocalls: 47.8% (3,309)
• Live scam calls: 40.5% (2,808)

Red flags to watch out for

The 216 area code itself isn't inherently associated with scams any more than other area codes. However, as with any phone number, scammers may use spoofed 216 numbers to appear local to Ohio residents, increasing the likelihood that their calls will be answered.

Common red flags for scam calls include:

• Unsolicited requests for personal information or urgent payments
• High-pressure tactics to create urgency
• Impersonations of government agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, or police department (CPD)
• Too-good-to-be-true prizes or offers
• Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency (that can’t be undone)

Top Scam Types in the 216 Cuyahoga County Area

• Medical & prescriptions
• Imposters
• Debt reduction

If something feels off, don’t give out any information. Verify the number with a reverse phone lookup.

How to block a 216 number

Getting nonstop calls from 216 numbers? Whether it’s robocalls, spam, or mystery numbers lighting up your screen, here’s how to take control and cut down on the noise.

1. Block Calls From Your Phone:

Most smartphones let you block repeat offenders in just a few taps:

• iPhone: Go to Recents, tap the “i” next to the number, then select Block this Caller.
• Android: Open your call log, tap the number, go to Details, then tap Block.

Pro Tip: Smartphones typically have built-in spam filters that automatically send unknown or flagged numbers straight to voicemail. Popular carriers also offer spam protection tools; some are free, others require a subscription.

2. Use a Call-Blocking App:

Apps like Truecaller, Hiya, and RoboKiller can help identify and filter out suspicious calls before you even answer. These tools can:

• Flag known scam and telemarketing numbers
• Automatically block high-risk calls
• Let you report scam numbers to warn other users

3. Register with the Do Not Call Registry:

Head to donotcall.gov to register your number. This won’t block scammers, but it can reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers that follow federal rules.

4. Report Suspicious Texts:

If you get a shady message from a 216 number, forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This alerts your carrier and helps stop scammers from reaching others.

5. File a Complaint with the FTC:

Still being harassed? Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov to report it. Every complaint helps the FTC crack down on scam networks, especially those targeting Ohio residents.

How to look up a 216 phone number

If you’re getting 216 calls, there are ways to see who’s on the other end.

Here are three simple ways to identify an unknown caller.

1. Google: A quick search may reveal if the number is tied to a business.
2. FCC’s scam number database: The Federal Communications Commission is a reliable resource for known scam numbers.
3. Reverse phone lookup: Curious about a 216 number? Lookup tools can reveal the owner’s name, address, and more.

Need intel on a caller with a 216 area code? Run a reverse number search now to quickly gather key information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 216