Frequently Asked Questions
Area code 859 covers a significant portion of central and northern Kentucky, including Lexington, Covington, Richmond, and Georgetown. It also encompasses smaller communities across several counties, including Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Campbell, Clark, Fayette, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Jessamine, Kenton, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Nicholas, Pendleton, Washington, and Woodford.
Always use 10-digit dialing for local calls within area code 859. This means dialing the area code (859) followed by the seven-digit phone number, even if the call is local. This practice supports the national 988 suicide prevention lifeline.
10-digit dialing was implemented in October 2021 to accommodate the national 988 suicide prevention lifeline. This change ensures there are no conflicts with existing seven-digit numbers and supports public safety.
To make a long-distance call to area code 859 from within the US, dial "1" followed by the 10-digit number (1 + 859 + seven-digit number). From another country within the NANP, use the same 1+10D format. For international calls, dial your country's exit code, then +1, then the 10-digit number.
It's best practice to always include the area code (859) when providing your phone number, especially in written communication. This eliminates confusion and ensures the recipient can easily reach you.
Area code 859 covers several Kentucky counties: Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Campbell, Clark, Fayette, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Jessamine, Kenton, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Nicholas, Pendleton, Washington, and Woodford.
Dial 1 + 859 + the seven-digit phone number. Whether calling from another US area code or another country within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), the 1+10D format applies. For calls from outside the NANP, dial your country's exit code, then +1, and the 10-digit number
Area code 859 offers a range of services, including high-speed internet, mobile and landline phone services, and cable/digital television. Major carriers in the area include Windstream, Cincinnati Bell, and AT&T, offering competitive packages to consumers.
Area code 859 was created in 1999 as a split from area code 606. Unusually, the largest city, Lexington, was assigned the new code (859), while less-populated eastern Kentucky retained 606 to minimize their financial burden.
The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) website is the best resource for updates and future changes related to area code 859 and other area codes within the NANP.
Dial "0" followed by the 10-digit phone number you wish to reach for operator-assisted calls within area code 859.
Area Code 859: Coverage and Details
Area code 859 is a telephone area code serving central and northern Kentucky, including Lexington (the state's second-largest city), Covington, Richmond, and 47 other cities across 22 counties. As part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), 859 requires mandatory 10-digit dialing for all calls and operates in the Eastern Time Zone.
Where is Area Code 859? Geographic Coverage Map and Cities
Area code 859 serves 50 cities across 22 counties in central and northern Kentucky. The coverage includes Lexington (the state's second-largest city), Covington, Richmond, Georgetown, and numerous other communities.
Major cities in area code 859 include:
Other communities include Alexandria, Paris, Harrodsburg, Mount Sterling, Union, Cynthiana, Wilmore, Bellevue, Walton, and numerous smaller towns.
The 22 counties served by 859 follow carefully defined boundaries, though these do not exactly match county borders:
Major counties by population:
Additional counties include Bath, Bourbon, Carroll, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Mercer, Nelson (partial), Nicholas, Pendleton, and Washington.
Important: Area code 859 currently has no overlays, meaning it is the only area code serving these geographic regions. This simplifies dialing – all phone numbers in this region use the 859 prefix.
Time Zone: Area code 859 operates in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which is GMT-5:00 (GMT-4:00 during Daylight Saving Time).
How to Dial 859 Area Code: 10-Digit Dialing Requirements
Use these standard dialing formats for calls within or to area code 859:
Remember: Always dial 10 digits for all calls within area code 859, whether local or long distance. Dialing only 7 digits will fail, and you'll hear a recorded message instructing you to hang up and redial with the area code.
10-Digit Dialing Timeline:
Area code 859 was one of 82 area codes requiring this transition because some phone numbers in the region begin with the 988 exchange. Without 10-digit dialing, calling a local 988 number would connect you to the crisis hotline instead. The FCC mandated this change to accommodate the nationwide 988 designation for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and ensure public safety.
Important: Emergency services remain unchanged. Dial 911 for emergencies using just 3 digits. The 988 crisis hotline also uses 3-digit dialing. Dialing 988 from area code 859 connects you to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, providing 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors. The original 10-digit number (1-800-273-8255) remains operational and routes to 988 indefinitely.
How to Get an 859 Phone Number: VoIP, Mobile & Landline Options
Area code 859 has robust telecommunications infrastructure serving residents and businesses. Access high-speed internet, mobile and traditional landline services, and cable and digital television options through multiple carriers including Windstream, Cincinnati Bell (now part of Altafiber), and AT&T, as documented by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
How to obtain an 859 phone number:
Traditional carriers: Contact local phone companies like AT&T, Windstream, or regional providers for landline or mobile service with an 859 number.
VoIP services: Get an 859 number from anywhere using virtual phone services:
Mobile carriers: Major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) provide 859 numbers for mobile service. Availability depends on number inventory.
Number portability: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 lets you transfer your existing 859 number between carriers (landline to mobile, mobile to VoIP) while keeping the same number.
859 Area Code History: The 1999 Split from 606
Area code 859 split from area code 606 in 1999 and went into service on April 1, 2000. The split deviated from standard practice – instead of assigning the original area code to the largest city, the Kentucky Public Service Commission and BellSouth (now part of AT&T) assigned 606 to the less populated, economically disadvantaged eastern Kentucky counties despite Lexington being the largest city in the old 606 territory.
This decision minimized the financial burden of switching to a new area code for these communities. The rural 606 region is one of the nation's poorest – 16 of the 100 poorest U.S. counties by median income are located in the 606 area code region.
Interesting Detail: On an alpha-numeric telephone keypad, 859 spells UKY, a nod to the University of Kentucky in Lexington, the area code's largest city.
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 859
Where is area code 859 located? Area code 859 serves central and northern Kentucky, encompassing cities like Lexington, Covington, Richmond, Florence, and Georgetown across 22 counties.
What is the dialing code for area code 859? Dial 10 digits for all calls, both local and long distance. Format: 859-XXX-XXXX.
What cities are included in area code 859? Major cities include Lexington (516,811 population), Covington, Richmond, Florence, Nicholasville, Independence, Erlanger, Winchester, Burlington, Danville, Berea, and Newport. See the geographic coverage section for the complete list.
How do I call Kentucky area code 859 from abroad? Dial your country's exit code, followed by +1 (the U.S. country code), then the 10-digit number. Examples: From UK: 00-1-859-555-0123; From Australia: 0011-1-859-555-0123; From Germany: 00-1-859-555-0123.
How do I get an 859 phone number? Obtain an 859 number through traditional phone companies (AT&T, Windstream), mobile carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile), or VoIP services (Dialpad, KrispCall, NumberBarn). VoIP services let you get an 859 number without a physical Kentucky address.
Can I keep my 859 number if I switch carriers? Yes. Number portability lets you transfer your 859 number between carriers (landline to mobile, mobile to VoIP) while keeping the same number.
What's the difference between 859 and other Kentucky area codes? Kentucky has four area codes: 859 (Lexington/Northern Kentucky), 502 (Louisville/Frankfort), 606 (Eastern Kentucky), and 270/364 (Western Kentucky, with 364 as an overlay). Each serves distinct geographic regions.
Are there any future changes expected for area code 859? Based on 2023 projections from NANPA, area code 859 will not exhaust its available phone numbers until approximately 2047. No overlay area codes are currently planned for this region. Check the NANPA website for updates.
Is 859 a toll-free number? No. Area code 859 is a geographic area code, not toll-free. Toll-free numbers use codes like 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, and 833.
Why am I getting spam calls from 859 area code? Scammers spoof 859 numbers to make calls appear local, increasing answer rates. These calls often involve phishing scams, fake government notices, or robocalls. Block suspicious numbers, enable spam filters through your carrier, and report scams to the FTC. Never share personal information with unsolicited callers.
Troubleshooting and Best Practices for Area Code 859
Troubleshooting Common Calling Issues:
Problem: Call doesn't go through / Recording says "Your call cannot be completed as dialed"
Problem: Fast busy signal (rapid beep-beep-beep)
Problem: "All circuits are busy" message
Problem: PBX or business phone system not connecting after October 2021
Problem: Calls to 988 connect to crisis hotline instead of local number
Diagnostic steps:
Best Practices for Using Area Code 859:
Conclusion
You now understand area code 859's history, geographic reach, dialing procedures, and available telecommunication services. Check the NANPA website for the latest updates.