986 Area Code
Covers Boise and nearby communities in Idaho.
(986) 555-0142Area code 986 map
Interactive coverage map for area code 986, centered on Boise, Idaho
43.6135, -116.2035
Open in OpenStreetMapArea code 986 coverage map — centered on Boise. Shaded area shows the approximate reach around the primary city.
986 is the area code for Boise and the surrounding part of Idaho. It reaches roughly 424,000 people across places such as Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls and more. The region observes local time, so a number like (986) 555-0142 is on that clock right now. On the ground it spans Ada, Canyon, Bonneville and nearby counties. It shares its territory with the overlay code 208, which sit on the exact same map. Because the 986 region uses more than one area code, you must dial all ten digits — area code included — even for a local call. You do not, however, need to dial a leading 1 for calls within the US and Canada. Scroll on for a real-time clock, an area map, the cities and counties inside 986, its related area codes, and practical advice on 986 robocalls and caller-ID spoofing.
Cities covered by 986
Cities & neighborhoods
- Boise
- Nampa
- Meridian
- Idaho Falls
- Pocatello
- Caldwell
- Coeur d'Alene
- Twin Falls
- Lewiston
- Moscow
Counties
- Ada
- Canyon
- Bonneville
- Bannock
- Twin Falls
- Nez Perce
- Latah
Looking for the broader picture? See all Idaho area codes.
Nearby & overlay area codes
Overlay codes (same area)
These share 986’s geography — a number in either code can be on the same street.
Neighboring codes
Codes for adjacent regions and metros.
No neighboring codes listed.
Is a call from 986 a scam?
Area code 986 serves Boise and the surrounding area, so most calls are ordinary local and business traffic. As everywhere, spam and robocalls do use 986 numbers, frequently by spoofing a local-looking caller ID to boost pickup rates. The area code itself tells you nothing about who is really calling, so judge the call by what's said, not the number.
Red flags to watch for
- Pressure to act right now, or threats of arrest, fines, or service being cut off.
- Requests to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, crypto, or a payment app.
- Asking for passwords, one-time codes, your SSN, or full card/bank numbers.
- A robocall or recording, or a number that won’t let you call back.
When unsure, hang up and call the organization back on a number you look up yourself.
Calling a 986 number from abroad
Every 986 number is a US/Canada +1 number. From a mobile anywhere, the simplest approach is to dial it in international format:
+1 986 555-0142If your phone can’t dial the +, replace it with your country’s exit code, then 1, then the number:
- UK, Germany, France & most of Europe
00 1 986 555-0142 - Australia
0011 1 986 555-0142 - Japan
010 1 986 555-0142 - Mexico
00 1 986 555-0142
Within the US and Canada you don’t need any of this — just dial the ten digits 986 555-0142.
Reverse phone lookup
Check any US or Canada number to see whether it's a working line, which carrier it sits on, whether it's mobile, landline or VoIP, and roughly where it's registered.
Shows carrier, line type and location. Owner name isn't available here.
Results are for personal, informational use only and may not be used for employment, credit, housing or tenant-screening decisions.
Area code 986: frequently asked questions
Where is the 986 area code located?
The 986 area code is located in Idaho, centered on Boise. It covers Ada, Canyon, Bonneville, Bannock, Twin Falls, Nez Perce, Latah and nearby communities including Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Caldwell.
What time zone is 986 in?
Area code 986 is in the local time zone (UTC-7 (MST) / UTC-6 (MDT)). You can see the exact current local time for Boise on the live clock above.
What cities use area code 986?
Cities and areas that use 986 include Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Caldwell. Its primary city is Boise, ID.
Do I need to dial 1 before 986?
For calls within the US, you do not need to dial a leading 1, but you do need all ten digits: 986 plus the seven-digit number. The 986 area requires ten-digit dialing because more than one area code serves it.
Is 986 a toll-free or scam number?
No — 986 is a normal geographic area code for Boise, not a toll-free code (toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888). A 986 number is not inherently a scam, but the code can be spoofed. See the spam-call section above for how to tell.
What are the overlay area codes for 986?
Area code 986 is overlaid by 208, meaning those codes cover the same geographic area.