--- title: "312 area code: downtown Chicago numbers | Chargezen" description: "Area code 312 covers downtown Chicago, including the Loop and River North, on Central time. See its overlay, open 312 numbers and how Concierge answers." url: "https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/illinois/312-area-code" lang: "en" --- Canonical URL: https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/illinois/312-area-code # A 312 number for your downtown Chicago business. Area code 312 is downtown Chicago. Get a 312 number for calls and texts, or bring yours, and let Concierge answer every one. [Get a 312 number](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup) time zone Central time zone in service since 1947 in service since overlay code 872 overlay code ## Where 312 is. 312 is one of the 1947 originals, and at first it covered Chicago and its suburbs. The suburbs moved to 708 in 1989. In 1996 the rest of the city outside downtown moved to 773, which left 312 to the center of Chicago. The 872 overlay went into service in 2009 and covers both 312 and 773, so a new downtown number may start with 872. State [Illinois](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/illinois) Area Chicago's downtown core: the Loop, River North, Streeterville, the Gold Coast and nearby downtown neighborhoods County Cook County Time zone Central time Overlays 872 (2009) Neighboring codes * 773 and 872: the rest of Chicago, which surrounds 312 on land * Lake Michigan: to the east In service since 1947 ## Open 312 numbers right now. A live sample from our carrier. Numbers are not held, so they can be taken at any time. Not seeing one you like? 872 numbers serve the same area as 312, and [a toll-free number](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/toll-free) works everywhere. You can also see all [Illinois numbers](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/illinois). ## How Concierge answers on a 312 number. A 312 number reads as downtown Chicago, a good fit for a Loop office, a River North showroom or a Chicago brand selling across the country. Concierge answers it on Central time, after hours included. 1. 1 ### A customer calls or texts Concierge picks up on your 312 number, recognizes customers by their phone number and pulls up their orders and history. 2. 2 ### It handles the request Order status, changes, refunds within your rules, and questions about your products. 3. 3 ### A teammate joins if needed One tap to join the call. Concierge introduces your teammate to the caller first. 4. 4 ### Everything stays on record Calls and texts land in your team inbox, in one history for each customer. You choose who answers each number: a digital employee takes every call, a teammate gets the first ring and Concierge picks up if nobody answers, or only teammates answer. ## Get a 312 number that answers. A local 312 number for calls and texts, answered day and night, with your team one tap away. [Get a number](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup) [See Concierge](https://chargezen.com/concierge) ## Common questions ### Is 312 a toll-free number? No. 312 is a local area code for downtown Chicago, Illinois. Callers are charged as they would be for any regular call on their phone plan. Toll-free numbers start with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 or 888, and the business pays for those calls. ### What time zone is 312? 312 is on Central time. All of Illinois is on Central time. ### Can I text from a 312 number? Yes. A 312 number from Chargezen takes both calls and texts. US carriers require 10DLC registration before a business texts from a local number, and Chargezen files it for you from the details you provide. Concierge answers the texts as well as the calls. ### Can I keep my number if I switch? Yes. Bring your 312 number over from your current provider. Chargezen checks that the number can move, you sign a letter of authorization in Chargezen, and you follow the transfer there. The number stays the same, area code included. ### What other area codes cover downtown Chicago? 872 is an overlay on 312, so it shares the same area. A new number there can start with any of them. ## More area codes and numbers. [ ### 212 area code Manhattan, New York.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/new-york/212-area-code) [ ### 310 area code West Los Angeles and the South Bay, California.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/california/310-area-code) [ ### 415 area code San Francisco and Marin County, California.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/california/415-area-code) [ ### Illinois numbers Every Illinois area code, with live numbers.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/illinois) [ ### Toll-free numbers 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 on one page.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/toll-free) [ ### A business number One toll-free or local number for calls and texts, or bring your own.](https://chargezen.com/concierge/features/business-phone-number) [ ### 10DLC Glossary: the registration US carriers require for business texts on local numbers.](https://chargezen.com/glossary/10dlc-10-digit-long-code) [ ### Number porting Glossary: how a phone number moves to a new provider, step by step.](https://chargezen.com/glossary/number-porting) [ ### All phone numbers Search by area code or state.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers) Sources: area codes, in-service years, overlays and time zones from the [NANPA NPA database](https://www.nanpa.com/reports/npa-reports) (North American Numbering Plan Administrator), checked October 18, 2026. NANPA lists the original area codes as in service from January 1, 1947. Cities, counties and neighboring codes are public geography. Available numbers come live from our carrier, change constantly and are not held for you.