283 Area CodeCincinnati, OH
Area code 283 covers Cincinnati and nearby communities in Ohio, home to about 1.1 million people across 139 cities. It overlays 513, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Where is area code 283?
Area code 283 serves part of Cincinnati, OH and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (513) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 283 Area Code
What is the 283 area code?
The 283 area code serves Cincinnati, Ohio, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 283 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 283 created?
The 283 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Cincinnati once the existing area code 513 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 283 Area Code
The 283 area code serves Cincinnati and surrounding areas in Ohio. It complements the coverage of area code 513. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Cincinnati
- Hamilton
- Middletown
- Fairfield
- Mason
- Oxford
Got a call from a 283 number? It came from Cincinnati, OH. Since 283 overlays with 513, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 283, Cincinnati holds about 28% of the population; the rest is split across 138 smaller cities.
Cincinnati Area Codes Overview
Cincinnati is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 283 area code operates alongside 513. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 283 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 283 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | OH | 314,915 | 5% | 100% |
| Hamilton | OH | 63,953 | 1% | 100% |
| Middletown | OH | 52,291 | 1% | 94% |
| Fairfield | OH | 45,094 | 1% | 100% |
| Mason | OH | 36,046 | 1% | 100% |
| Oxford | OH | 22,585 | 0% | 100% |
| Lebanon | OH | 21,995 | 1% | 100% |
| Forest Park | OH | 20,033 | 0% | 100% |
| Norwood | OH | 19,455 | 0% | 100% |
| White Oak | OH | 19,167 | 0% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 283 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 88 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 283 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 70% robocalls
- ↑ 38% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Reducing your debt (credit cards, mortgage, student loans)44%39
- Other40%35
- Dropped call or no message6%5
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 283 Area Code
Who called me from a 283 number?
A 283 number is assigned to Cincinnati, Ohio, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 283 code to look nearby, so a 283 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 88 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 283 code (70% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 283 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 283 is a normal, officially assigned code for Cincinnati, Ohio. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 283 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 88 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 283 code (70% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 283 area code?
Repeated calls from different 283 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 283 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 88 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 283 code (70% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 283 number?
If you aren't expecting a 283 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 283 area code?
Block a single 283 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 283 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 283?
Area code 283 covers Cincinnati and the surrounding area in Ohio, spanning 139 cities with about 1,136,305 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 513.
Is 283 a real area code?
Yes. 283 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Cincinnati, Ohio. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 283 calls with normal caution.
How do I call a 283 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 283 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 283 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.