What Area Is 480 Area Code? Location, Cities, Map, Time Zone & Complete Guide

February 8, 2026 8 Min Read

If you’ve ever received a call from a number starting with 480, the first question that comes to mind is simple:

What area is 480 area code?

The 480 area code is located in Arizona (AZ) and mainly covers the East Valley region of the Phoenix metropolitan area. This includes popular cities like Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert.

But that’s only the quick answer.

In real life, area codes are connected to a lot more than just location. People use 480 numbers for business, marketing, real estate, customer support, and even scams (through spoofing). So in this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from beginner to advanced level—so you fully understand what a 480 number means and what you should do if you get a call from it.

Quick Answer (Featured Snippet Friendly)

The 480 area code is located in Arizona and covers the East Valley of the Phoenix metro area, including Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert.

Where Is the 480 Area Code Located?

The 480 area code is in the state of Arizona, specifically in the Phoenix metropolitan region.

However, it’s important to understand that the Phoenix metro is divided into different local regions. The 480 area code is strongly associated with the East Valley, which includes some of the fastest-growing and most populated suburbs in Arizona.

The East Valley is well-known for:

Rapid population growth
New housing communities
Technology and corporate offices
Arizona State University influence (Tempe)
High-end tourism and resorts (Scottsdale)

So if you’re asking “what area is 480 area code,” the best way to remember it is:

480 = Phoenix East Valley, Arizona

What Cities Use the 480 Area Code?

The 480 area code covers multiple cities, not just one.

Here are the major cities that commonly use the 480 area code.

Main cities in 480 area code

City	County	Notes
Mesa	Maricopa	One of the largest cities in Arizona
Scottsdale	Maricopa	Luxury areas, resorts, tourism
Tempe	Maricopa	ASU + business and tech hub
Chandler	Maricopa	Corporate offices + growing economy
Gilbert	Maricopa	One of the fastest-growing suburbs
Queen Creek	Maricopa/Pinal	Expanding residential communities
Apache Junction	Pinal/Maricopa	Near Superstition Mountains
Fountain Hills	Maricopa	Famous fountain landmark

Other communities that may use 480

Depending on carrier assignment and overlays, 480 may also appear in:

Paradise Valley
Sun Lakes
Guadalupe
Gold Canyon
Parts of Maricopa County suburbs

Does 480 Area Code Include Phoenix?

This is a very common confusion.

Technically, 480 is part of the Phoenix metro area, but it is not the main Phoenix city area code historically.

Traditionally:

602 = Central Phoenix
480 = East Valley (Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale)
623 = West Valley (Glendale, Peoria)

Today, because of overlays and number portability, you might see a 480 number used by someone living in Phoenix. But the strongest identity of 480 is still the East Valley.

What State Is 480 Area Code In?

The 480 area code is in:

✅ Arizona (AZ)

If you see a 480 number, it almost always means the number was originally assigned in Arizona.

What Time Zone Is the 480 Area Code In?

The 480 area code is located in:

✅ Mountain Standard Time (MST)

But Arizona has a unique situation.

Arizona and Daylight Saving Time

Most U.S. states change time in spring and fall. Arizona is different:

Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time
The time difference changes depending on the season

This matters a lot if you’re calling a 480 business number from another state.

Example:

In summer, Arizona time often matches Pacific Time
In winter, Arizona time often matches Mountain Time

So always double-check before calling early morning or late night.

Why Am I Getting Calls From a 480 Number?

If you’re receiving calls from 480 numbers, there are a few likely reasons.

1) A real Arizona caller

You might have:

Traveled to Arizona
Purchased something from an Arizona company
Applied for a job
Contacted a business in Phoenix metro
Spoken to a realtor or service provider

2) A business call

Many Arizona businesses use 480 numbers, including:

Real estate agencies
HVAC services
Solar companies
Insurance agents
Medical clinics
Restaurants and delivery services
Tech support and customer service

3) Spam or spoofing

Unfortunately, scammers sometimes spoof 480 numbers because it’s a large metro area code.

That means the call might look like it’s from Arizona, but it may not be.

Is 480 a Spam Area Code?

No. The 480 area code is not “a scam area code.”

It’s a real Arizona area code.

But here’s the truth:

480 is commonly spoofed

Scammers spoof local area codes to increase the chance that you answer.

So a 480 call could be:

✅ A real person in Arizona
❌ A scammer pretending to be local

Common Scams Using 480 Numbers

Here are the most common scam styles people report from 480 numbers:

Fake IRS or tax debt threats
Bank fraud alerts asking for OTP codes
“Your package is delayed” messages
Fake job offers
Crypto investment scams
Utility shutoff warnings
Medical insurance robocalls

If a 480 caller pressures you, threatens you, or demands money—assume it’s a scam.

How to Check Who Called From a 480 Number

If you missed a call from 480 and you want to know who it is, follow these safe steps.

Step 1: Wait for voicemail

Legit businesses usually leave a message.

Step 2: Search the number on Google

Many real businesses have their number listed publicly.

Step 3: Use a reverse phone lookup

A reverse lookup can show:

Carrier
Line type (mobile/landline/VoIP)
Approximate region
Spam reputation

Step 4: Don’t call back suspicious numbers

Some scam calls are designed to charge you or keep you on the line.

Reverse Phone Lookup Tool (Website Feature)

If you are building an area code blog, adding a tool improves SEO and user engagement.

A good tool can include:

Phone number input
Area code detection
Location display
Carrier check
Spam warning text

480 Area Code History (Why It Exists)

Area codes are created due to number demand.

Phoenix metro has grown massively over the years due to:

Migration from California
Job opportunities
Affordable housing (compared to coastal cities)
Retirement communities
Business expansion

Because of this growth, older area codes could not handle all the new phone numbers.

So the 480 area code was created to support the Phoenix metro expansion.

480 Area Code Map (Simple Explanation)

Even without a map image, here’s the easiest way to understand it.

Think of Phoenix metro like this:

Central Phoenix = usually 602
East Valley (Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale) = 480
West Valley (Glendale, Peoria) = 623

That’s the simplest and most accurate mental map.

480 Area Code vs Other Arizona Area Codes

Arizona has several area codes. Here’s a comparison to make it clear.

Area Code	Primary Region	Major Cities
480	Phoenix East Valley	Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale
602	Central Phoenix	Phoenix (main city)
623	West Valley	Glendale, Peoria
520	Southern Arizona	Tucson
928	Northern Arizona	Flagstaff, Prescott
327	Overlay (Phoenix)	Same region as Phoenix metro

Does 480 Require 10-Digit Dialing?

Yes, in most cases today, you need:

✅ Area code + phone number (10 digits)

Example:

480-555-1234

This is because overlays and phone number exhaustion make 7-digit dialing unreliable.

Can Someone Outside Arizona Have a 480 Number?

Yes, absolutely.

This is one of the most important modern facts about area codes.

Why?

1) People move but keep their number

Someone may move from Mesa to New York but still keep a 480 number.

2) VoIP and business numbers

Apps and business phone services allow you to pick any area code:

Google Voice
RingCentral
Grasshopper
Zoom Phone
OpenPhone

3) Marketing strategy

Businesses choose local numbers to increase trust.

So a 480 number does not always guarantee the person is physically in Arizona.

What Businesses Commonly Use 480 Numbers?

The 480 area code is extremely common in these industries:

Home services

Plumbing
Electricians
Roofing
Landscaping
Pool cleaning
Pest control

Real estate

Realtors
Mortgage companies
Property management

Healthcare

Dental clinics
Chiropractors
Dermatology offices
Urgent care

Corporate and tech

Chandler and Tempe are major business zones, so many corporate offices use 480 numbers.

Benefits of Having a 480 Area Code Number

If you’re a business owner targeting Arizona, a 480 number can be a smart choice.

Benefits

Builds local trust
Increases call answer rate
Helps conversions in Phoenix metro
Looks professional for local branding
Strong identity in East Valley

Even though Google doesn’t directly rank based on phone area code, it improves user trust—which improves clicks and calls.

Risks of 480 Numbers

There are also a few downsides.

Potential risks

Some people ignore unknown 480 calls due to spam
Scammers can spoof 480 easily
People assume you are in Arizona even if you’re not

How to Tell If a 480 Number Is Real or Spoofed

Here are the easiest signs.

Signs a 480 call is legitimate

They leave a clear voicemail
The number appears on Google Maps
The caller is not aggressive
They can explain why they’re calling
They have a business name

Signs it’s a scam

Threats or urgency
Demanding payment
Asking for OTP codes
Robotic voice
Weird background noise
“Press 1 to continue” messages

What to Do If You Missed a 480 Call

Follow this safe checklist:

Let it go to voicemail
Search the number online
Block if suspicious
Report spam to your phone carrier
Never share personal info

Professional Tip: 480 for Local SEO and Marketing

If you’re a professional marketer, the 480 area code is a powerful trust signal for local customers.

Why it matters in marketing

Local numbers improve call conversion
People answer more often
It supports local branding
It looks trustworthy for service businesses

Example

If two Scottsdale plumbers appear online:

Plumber A: 480 number
Plumber B: 917 number (New York)

Most customers will call Plumber A first—even if both have similar reviews.

FAQs (People Also Ask Style)

What area is 480 area code in Arizona?

The 480 area code is located in Arizona and mainly covers the East Valley of the Phoenix metro area, including Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert.

Is 480 area code Phoenix?

480 is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area, but it mainly covers the East Valley. Central Phoenix is traditionally associated with area code 602.

What city is area code 480?

Area code 480 covers multiple cities including Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, and Gilbert.

What time zone is 480 area code?

The 480 area code is in Mountain Standard Time (MST). Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

Is 480 a cell phone area code?

480 is not only for cell phones. It includes landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers.

Why do I keep getting spam calls from 480?

Spam callers often spoof the 480 area code to look like a local Arizona number and increase the chance you answer.

Can I get a 480 number if I don’t live in Arizona?

Yes, you can get a 480 number through VoIP services and business phone providers even if you don’t live in Arizona.

Conclusion + Actionable Takeaways

So now you have the complete answer to: