What area code is 503?
Here's everything about it.
Instant lookup for the 503 area code — location, time zone, cities served, and who's been calling from it. No sign-up, no app.
503 at a glance
Summary
Cities & regions served by 503
Portland7 communities on record for 503.
Where 503 sits on the map
Overlay: 971Coverage area
About the 503 region
503 covers Portland in Oregon, including Salem, Hillsboro, Beaverton, St. Helens and Tillamook. The code has been in service since 1947 and is one of the original North American area codes.
As the Portland region grew, 503 ran low on available numbers, so 971 was added as an overlay code over the same geographic area. Both codes are local to each other and 10-digit dialing applies throughout.
Created for all of Oregon; 1995: split to create 541; 2000: partially overlaid by 971, excluding Clatsop County and Tillamook County; 2008: complete overlay implemented.
Who called me from 503?
Community reports- Caller ID is trivially spoofed: an incoming call that displays 503 does not prove the caller is really in the 503 region or even in the United States.
- Avoid calling back unknown one-ring numbers — some premium-rate scams rely on curiosity callbacks.
- Never share verification codes, payment details, or remote access during an unsolicited call, even if the caller claims to be your bank or a government agency.
- When a 503 call pressures you to act immediately, hang up and contact the organization directly through its official number.
Be the first to add a community report for a 503 number below.
Frequently asked questions
FAQWhat area code is 503?+–
503 is a telephone area code serving Portland in Oregon, United States, in service since 1947.
Where is area code 503 located?+–
It covers Clackamas County, Clatsop County, Columbia County and other counties, including Salem, Hillsboro, Beaverton, St. Helens and Tillamook in Oregon.
What cities are in area code 503?+–
Major communities on record include Salem, Hillsboro, Beaverton, St. Helens and Tillamook, among others. The code's territory spans the Portland region of Oregon.
What time zone is 503?+–
503 observes Pacific (PT), which is UTC−8 / −7 DST and follows daylight saving time.
When did area code 503 start?+–
503 entered service in 1947 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes. Its history: created for all of Oregon; 1995: split to create 541; 2000: partially overlaid by 971, excluding Clatsop County and Tillamook County; 2008: complete overlay implemented.
Why do calls to 503 require 10-digit dialing?+–
503 shares its territory with overlay code 971. Because both codes serve the same geographic area, the phone network needs all 10 digits to route a call, and calls between the codes are still local.
Is 503 a scam area code?+–
Scam and robocall traffic can use any North American code, 503 included — caller ID is easy to spoof, so the code alone does not tell you who is really calling. Check the community reports on this page before calling back an unknown 503 number, and report anything suspicious.
Can I get a 503 phone number?+–
Yes — most mobile carriers and VoIP providers let you request a 503 number regardless of where you physically live.