Area Code 480: Location, Time Zone, Cities, and Everything You Need to Know (2026 Updated Guide)

February 7, 2026 5 Min Read

If you’ve received a call from a number starting with 480, you might be wondering:

Where is area code 480 located?
Is it a scam or a real call?
Which cities use 480?
What time zone is it in?
How can you check who is calling?

This complete guide will answer everything about Area Code 480, including cities, coverage, time zone, history, and how to identify unknown calls.

What is Area Code 480?

Area code 480 is a telephone area code in the United States, located in the state of Arizona. It primarily covers the East Valley region of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Area code 480 is commonly used for:

Personal mobile numbers
Business lines
Customer service numbers
Local Arizona calls
VoIP numbers (online phone services)

Where is Area Code 480 Located?

Area code 480 is located in Arizona, mainly covering the eastern part of the Phoenix Metro Area.

It serves cities like:

Mesa
Scottsdale
Tempe
Chandler
Gilbert
Queen Creek
Apache Junction

So, if you see a number like:

📞 (480) XXX-XXXX
It is most likely from the Phoenix East Valley region.

What Cities are in Area Code 480?

Here is a list of major cities and towns covered by 480 area code:

Main Cities

Mesa
Scottsdale
Tempe
Chandler
Gilbert

Other Areas

Queen Creek
Apache Junction
Fountain Hills
Paradise Valley (some parts)
Sun Lakes
Guadalupe

This makes 480 one of the most important area codes in Arizona.

Area Code 480 Time Zone

Area code 480 follows:

🕒 Mountain Standard Time (MST)

Important Note:

Arizona is special because it does not follow Daylight Saving Time (except the Navajo Nation).

So most of the year, area code 480 stays on:

✅ MST (UTC -7)

That means if you are calling from another country (like Pakistan, India, UK, etc.), you should check the time difference before calling back.

Is Area Code 480 a Scam?

This is a very common question.

The truth:

Area code 480 itself is NOT a scam.

It is a real and valid area code used by millions of people in Arizona.

However, scammers can use any area code, including 480, using:

Spoofing
VoIP numbers
Fake caller IDs

Common Scam Calls from 480 Numbers

Even though 480 is real, some scam calls can come from 480 numbers. The most common types include:

1. IRS or Tax Scam

They pretend to be from the IRS and threaten arrest.

2. Bank Verification Scam

They ask for OTP codes or card details.

3. Fake Job Offers

They offer remote jobs and ask for personal info.

4. Tech Support Scam

They claim your computer has a virus.

5. Delivery or Package Scam

They send fake messages about missing delivery.

How to Check Who Called You from Area Code 480

If you got a call from 480 and don’t recognize it, here are the best methods:

✅ 1. Google the Number

Simply copy and search the full number.

✅ 2. Use Reverse Phone Lookup Tools

You can check:

Name
Carrier
Line type (mobile/landline/VoIP)
Possible location

✅ 3. Check Social Media

Sometimes numbers are linked to:

WhatsApp
Facebook
Business pages

✅ 4. Call Back Carefully

If you call back:

Do not share personal info
Avoid pressing random numbers on automated calls

Is Area Code 480 Landline or Mobile?

Area code 480 includes:

📱 Mobile numbers
☎️ Landline numbers
🌐 VoIP numbers (Google Voice, RingCentral, etc.)

So you cannot confirm whether it’s a scam or business call just by the area code alone.

Why Did I Receive a Call from Area Code 480?

There are many reasons you may receive a call from a 480 number:

Possible Legit Reasons

A business from Arizona
A customer service call
A friend or family member in Phoenix
A job interview call
A delivery or appointment reminder

Possible Spam Reasons

Robocalls
Scam calls
Marketing calls

Area Code 480 History

Area code 480 was created when the Phoenix area started growing rapidly.

Originally, Phoenix and surrounding areas used 602.

As the population increased, new area codes were introduced:

602 (central Phoenix)
480 (East Valley)
623 (West Valley)

So, 480 was made to reduce pressure on the original 602 code.

480 Area Code vs 602 vs 623 (Arizona Area Codes)

Here’s a quick comparison:

Area Code	Covers	Main Cities
602	Central Phoenix	Phoenix
480	East Valley	Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale
623	West Valley	Glendale, Peoria

This helps you understand where a call is likely coming from.

How to Block Unwanted 480 Calls

If you keep receiving spam calls from 480 numbers, you can block them:

On Android:

Open Phone app
Tap recent calls
Select the number
Tap Block

On iPhone:

Go to Recent calls
Tap i icon
Scroll down
Tap Block this Caller

How Businesses Use Area Code 480

Many businesses prefer area code 480 because it gives a local Arizona identity.

Businesses in Phoenix East Valley use it for:

Local trust
Better call response rates
SEO and local marketing
Local customer support

So, if you are running a business in Arizona, a 480 number can be a good option.

Can You Get a 480 Number Outside Arizona?

Yes!

Due to VoIP and cloud phone systems, you can get a 480 number even if you live outside Arizona.

Services that offer 480 numbers include:

Google Voice
RingCentral
Grasshopper
OpenPhone
Twilio

This is why sometimes a 480 call might not be physically from Arizona.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What state is area code 480 in?

✅ Area code 480 is in Arizona.

Q2: What city is area code 480?

It covers multiple cities, but major ones include Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert.

Q3: Is area code 480 Phoenix?

Yes, it is part of the Phoenix Metro Area, specifically the East Valley.

Q4: What time zone is 480?

It is in Mountain Standard Time (MST).

Q5: Is 480 a safe area code?

Yes, it is a normal U.S. area code, but scams can still happen through spoofing.

Final Thoughts: Should You Answer a Call from Area Code 480?

Area code 480 is a real area code from Arizona (Phoenix East Valley). Most calls are legitimate, but like any U.S. area code, it can be used for spam and scam calls.

Best advice:

✅ If you recognize the number → Answer
❌ If you don’t recognize it → Search it first
🚫 Never share OTP, bank info, or personal data