Arkansas Area Codes: A Complete Guide

Understanding Arkansas area codes is critical for residents, companies, and anyone looking to build a presence in Arkansas. Whether you’re dialing into Little Rock, Fayetteville, or Jonesboro, each location has its own specific area code. This guide will cover the history, active codes, and benefits of using virtual or local phone numbers in Arkansas.

Overview of Arkansas Phone Codes

Arkansas is divided into multiple area codes: 479, 501, and 870. These codes are distributed based on regional boundaries to serve residents and businesses efficiently.

• 501: Central Arkansas, including Benton
• 479: Northwest Arkansas, like Fayetteville
• 870: Eastern and Southern Arkansas, covering Jonesboro

History of Arkansas Area Codes

Initially, Arkansas used a single dialing code, 501, assigned in 1947 under the North American Numbering Plan. As population grew, area code 870 was created in 1997, followed by area code 479 in 2002. These changes allowed for better number distribution and support for growing demand.

See the full numbering map on NANPA's official website.

What Cities Use Which Area Codes?

501

• Little Rock
• Conway
• Bryant
• North Little Rock

479

• Fayetteville
• Springdale
• Rogers
• Fort Smith

870

• Jonesboro
• Texarkana
• El Dorado
• Pine Bluff

Benefits of Arkansas Phone Numbers

Using a local Arkansas phone number gives your company a trusted presence. With more customers preferring to answer local numbers, it’s an easy way to gain credibility.

1. Boost brand familiarity
2. Increase pickup rates
3. Target specific zones
4. Establish multi-city presence

Try the advanced features of Bling’s Business Phone System to connect, manage, and analyze Arkansas-based numbers.

Why Use VoIP in Arkansas

VoIP services are ideal Arkansas VoIP area codes for startups for Arkansas businesses wanting cost-efficient call management, SMS, and advanced features. You can set up a virtual number from anywhere in the world. Learn more about this at Bling VoIP Phone Services.

Differences Between 479, 501, and 870

Area Code	Region	Major Cities
501	Central Arkansas	Little Rock, Conway
479	Northwest Arkansas	Fayetteville, Fort Smith
870	South & East Arkansas	Jonesboro, Texarkana

Setting Up a Local Arkansas Number

Select a VoIP platform that offers specific Arkansas area codes. With Bling's virtual phone number service, you can manage calls, send SMS, and monitor performance—all through a cloud-based dashboard.

Who Uses Arkansas Area Codes?

• Local Customer Support
• Inbound Marketing Campaigns
• Multi-location Franchises
• Remote Sales Teams

Helpful Resources on Arkansas Area Codes

• Wikipedia: List of Arkansas Area Codes
• AreaCodeLocations.info
• YouTube: History of Arkansas Phone Codes
• WhitePages – Arkansas Codes
• AllAreaCodes – Arkansas Overview

FAQs About Arkansas Area Codes

1. What is the area code for Little Rock, AR?

Little Rock uses area code 501.

2. Can I get a 479 or 870 number online?

Yes, you can select any Arkansas code while setting up your virtual number.

3. Are Arkansas codes only for landlines?

No, they’re used for mobile, VoIP, and traditional phones.

4. Do area codes change often in Arkansas?

Not frequently. 501, 479, and 870 have remained consistent since the early 2000s.

5. What’s the difference between local and toll-free numbers?

Local numbers use area codes like 479, while toll-free numbers use codes like 800 or 888.

Final Thoughts

Arkansas area codes provide more than just regional identity—they’re tools for local branding, outreach, and communication. Whether you're starting a business or scaling up, getting a cloud-based number in 479, 501, or 870 is an affordable and strategic move. Pair it with the right phone system to stay connected anywhere.