What area code is 540?
Here's everything about it.
Instant lookup for the 540 area code — location, time zone, cities served, and who's been calling from it. No sign-up, no app.
540 at a glance
Summary
Cities & regions served by 540
Roanoke7 communities on record for 540.
Where 540 sits on the map
Overlay: 826Coverage area
About the 540 region
540 covers Roanoke in Virginia, including Fredericksburg, Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, Lexington and Staunton. The code has been in service since 1995.
As the Roanoke region grew, 540 ran low on available numbers, so 826 was added as an overlay code over the same geographic area. Both codes are local to each other and 10-digit dialing applies throughout.
Split of 703; 2001: split to create 276; 2022: overlaid by 826.
Who called me from 540?
Community reports- Caller ID is trivially spoofed: an incoming call that displays 540 does not prove the caller is really in the 540 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 540 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 540 number below.
Frequently asked questions
FAQWhat area code is 540?+–
540 is a telephone area code serving Roanoke in Virginia, United States, in service since 1995.
Where is area code 540 located?+–
It covers Alleghany County, Augusta County, Bath County and other counties, including Fredericksburg, Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, Lexington and Staunton in Virginia.
What cities are in area code 540?+–
Major communities on record include Fredericksburg, Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, Lexington and Staunton, among others. The code's territory spans the Roanoke region of Virginia.
What time zone is 540?+–
540 observes Eastern (ET), which is UTC−5 / −4 DST and follows daylight saving time.
When did area code 540 start?+–
540 entered service in 1995. Its history: split of 703; 2001: split to create 276; 2022: overlaid by 826.
Why do calls to 540 require 10-digit dialing?+–
540 shares its territory with overlay code 826. 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 540 a scam area code?+–
Scam and robocall traffic can use any North American code, 540 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 540 number, and report anything suspicious.
Can I get a 540 phone number?+–
Yes — most mobile carriers and VoIP providers let you request a 540 number regardless of where you physically live.