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Sent TeamMay 3, 2025 / area code / Article

Area Code 262: Coverage, Cities, and Dialing Information for Wisconsin

Area code 262 serves southeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee suburbs. Explore its geographic reach from Kenosha (42.58474, -87.82119) to West Bend (43.42528, -88.18343). Understand 10-digit dialing requirements implemented since October 2021 and its role in NANP. Learn about its 1999 split from 414.

Area Code 262: Coverage, Cities, and Dialing Information for Wisconsin

<Callout type="info"> Area code 262 serves southeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee suburbs. Established on September 25, 1999, it was split from area code 414. </Callout>

Overview of Area Code 262

Area code 262 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for southeastern Wisconsin. It covers significant suburban regions surrounding Milwaukee and extends to parts of the Chicago metropolitan area. This guide provides detailed insights into the geographic coverage, technical specifications, and regulatory framework of area code 262.

Geographic Coverage

Area code 262 encompasses a variety of cities and towns in southeastern Wisconsin. Here are some of the major cities served by this area code:

  • Brookfield, WI: 43.06057, -88.10648
  • Caledonia, WI: 42.8078, -87.92425
  • Kenosha, WI: 42.58474, -87.82119
  • Menomonee Falls, WI: 43.1789, -88.11731
  • Mequon, WI: 43.2364, -87.98453
  • Muskego, WI: 42.90585, -88.13898
  • New Berlin, WI: 42.9764, -88.10842
  • Racine, WI: 42.72613, -87.78285
  • Waukesha, WI: 43.01168, -88.23148
  • West Bend, WI: 43.42528, -88.18343

Key Features of Area Code 262

  • NPA Code: 262
  • Implementation Date: September 25, 1999
  • State: Wisconsin

Dialing and Numbering Information

Dialing Requirements

  • Local Calls: 10-digit dialing is required.
  • Long-Distance Calls: Use 1 + area code + 7-digit number.

The transition to ten-digit dialing was completed by October 24, 2021, to accommodate the nationwide adoption of 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Network Infrastructure and Services

Area code 262 supports a variety of telecommunications services, including:

  • Landline Services
  • Wireless Services
  • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Major Carriers

While specific carriers are not listed, area code 262 is serviced by numerous telecommunications providers offering diverse services.

Regulatory Framework

Area code 262 is regulated by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) and adheres to FCC regulations. These bodies ensure compliance with numbering policies and manage area code allocations efficiently.

Historical Context and Milestones

  • 1997: Area code 920 was established from area code 414 for Green Bay and the Fox River Valley.
  • September 25, 1999: Area code 262 was created from area code 414.
  • 2021: Transitioned to ten-digit dialing to support the 988 lifeline.

Conclusion

Area code 262 is a vital component of Wisconsin's telecommunications infrastructure, serving key suburbs of Milwaukee and parts of the Chicago metropolitan area. Its establishment in 1999 marked a significant expansion in regional telecommunications capacity. For more information, visit the official Wikipedia page on Area Code 262.


For further exploration of area codes and their geographic coverage, consider visiting authoritative sources like the FCC or the North American Numbering Plan Administration. These resources provide in-depth regulatory and technical information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What area code covers Brookfield, Wisconsin?

Brookfield, Wisconsin, is covered by area code 262.

When was area code 262 created in Wisconsin?

Area code 262 was created on September 25, 1999, from the 414 area code.

Why did area code 262 switch to 10-digit dialing?

Area code 262 transitioned to 10-digit dialing to accommodate the national implementation of 988 as the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

What area code is used in Racine, Wisconsin?

Racine, Wisconsin uses area code 262.

What cities are included in Wisconsin's 262 area code?

Some major cities in area code 262 include Brookfield, Caledonia, Kenosha, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Muskego, New Berlin, Racine, Waukesha, and West Bend.

What part of Wisconsin does area code 262 cover?

Area code 262 covers southeastern Wisconsin, including Milwaukee suburbs and parts of the Chicago metropolitan area.

What is the area code for Waukesha, Wisconsin?

The area code for Waukesha, Wisconsin, is 262.

What is the dialing procedure for local calls within area code 262?

10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) is required for local calls within area code 262.

When did 10-digit dialing become mandatory for area code 262?

The transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing for area code 262 was completed by October 24, 2021.

What types of phone services are available in area code 262?

Area code 262 supports landline, wireless, and VoIP services.

Which area code was split to create area code 262?

Area code 262 was split from area code 414.

What is the North American Numbering Plan area code for Kenosha?

The North American Numbering Plan area code for Kenosha, Wisconsin is 262.

What year was area code 920 established in Wisconsin?

Area code 920 was established in Wisconsin in 1997, split from area code 414 to serve Green Bay and the Fox River Valley.

What area code is Waukesha Wisconsin?

Waukesha, Wisconsin, is in area code 262. This area code covers southeastern Wisconsin, including many suburbs of Milwaukee. It was established on September 25, 1999, as a split from area code 414.

How to dial a 262 number from another area code?

To dial a 262 number from a different area code, dial 1 + 262 + the 7-digit number. Ten-digit dialing (including the area code) is also required for local calls within the 262 area code itself.

Why does area code 262 require 10-digit dialing?

Area code 262, like many others, transitioned to mandatory 10-digit dialing by October 24, 2021. This change was implemented nationwide to accommodate the new three-digit number, 988, designated as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

When was area code 262 created?

Area code 262 was created on September 25, 1999. It was split off from the existing 414 area code to accommodate the growing need for phone numbers in southeastern Wisconsin.

What cities are covered by area code 262?

Area code 262 covers several cities in southeastern Wisconsin including Brookfield, Caledonia, Kenosha, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Muskego, New Berlin, Racine, Waukesha, and West Bend. These are primarily suburbs of Milwaukee.

What is the area code for Racine Wisconsin?

Racine, Wisconsin is covered by area code 262, along with other suburbs of Milwaukee. This area code came into effect on September 25, 1999, as a result of the split from area code 414.

What is the NPA for southeastern Wisconsin?

The Numbering Plan Area (NPA) code for southeastern Wisconsin, specifically Milwaukee's suburbs, is 262. This was implemented on September 25, 1999 and requires 10-digit dialing for local calls.

Can I still dial 7 digits in area code 262?

No, you cannot dial just 7 digits within area code 262. Ten-digit dialing (including the area code) became mandatory on October 24, 2021, to facilitate the nationwide implementation of 988 as the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

How to call Kenosha Wisconsin from a different area code?

To call Kenosha, Wisconsin, from a different area code, dial 1 + 262 + the 7-digit phone number. Remember, Kenosha is under area code 262, which requires 10-digit dialing even for local calls.

What area code was split to create 262?

Area code 262 was split from area code 414. This split occurred on September 25, 1999, to address the increasing demand for phone numbers in southeastern Wisconsin, particularly in the Milwaukee suburbs.

When should I use 10-digit dialing for 262?

You should always use 10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number) when making calls to or within the 262 area code. This became a requirement on October 24, 2021, to accommodate the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Where can I find more info on area code 262?

For more details on area code 262, you can check resources like the FCC website, the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) website, or the official Wikipedia page for Area Code 262.