The 336 area code serves north-central and northwestern North Carolina, covering the Piedmont Triad region. This includes major cities like Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, along with portions of the northern Foothills and Blue Ridge Mountain communities.
Created in 1997 when it split from area code 910, the 336 area code now serves approximately 1.6 to 1.8 million residents across one of North Carolina's most economically significant regions. The Piedmont Triad is the state's third-largest metropolitan area, after Charlotte and the Research Triangle.
If you're receiving calls from 336 numbers or considering a North Carolina phone number, here's what you need to know.
Where Is the 336 Area Code Located?
The 336 area code covers a large swath of north-central North Carolina, from the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills to the rolling hills of the Piedmont plateau.
Major Cities Covered by 336
Greensboro (Population: 300,000+) The largest city in the Piedmont Triad and third-largest in North Carolina. Home to multiple universities, a strong manufacturing base, and a growing technology sector.
Winston-Salem (Population: 250,000+) Known as the "Twin City" (originally two separate towns), Winston-Salem is home to Wake Forest University, Reynolds American, and a thriving arts district.
High Point (Population: 115,000+) The "Furniture Capital of the World," hosting the massive High Point Market twice yearly—the largest home furnishings trade show globally.
Burlington (Population: 55,000+) An industrial city with a strong textile history and growing modern economy.
Other Notable 336 Cities:
Asheboro (NC Zoo location)
Lexington ("Barbecue Capital of the World")
Thomasville
Kernersville
Clemmons
Mount Airy (Andy Griffith's hometown—inspiration for Mayberry)
Eden
Reidsville
Elkin
North Wilkesboro
Counties Covered by 336
The 336 area code covers numerous counties, including:
Piedmont Counties:
Guilford County (Greensboro, High Point)
Forsyth County (Winston-Salem)
Davidson County (Lexington, Thomasville)
Randolph County (Asheboro)
Alamance County (Burlington)
Rockingham County (Eden, Reidsville)
Foothills/Mountain Counties:
Stokes County
Surry County (Mount Airy)
Yadkin County
Wilkes County (North Wilkesboro)
Alleghany County
Ashe County
Watauga County (Boone)
Geographic Boundaries
The 336 area code is roughly bounded by:
North: Virginia state line
South: Randolph and Davidson counties
West: Blue Ridge Mountains
East: Alamance and Caswell counties
The coverage area forms an irregular shape that encompasses the entire Piedmont Triad metropolitan area plus the northwestern mountain region.
The History of the 336 Area Code
Understanding the 336 area code means understanding North Carolina's rapid telecommunications growth in the 1990s.
Before 1997: The 910 Era
Prior to the split, area code 910 covered a massive portion of North Carolina, including the Piedmont Triad, the Sandhills, and the Southeastern coast. This vast territory became unsustainable as phone number demand exploded.
December 15, 1997: The Birth of 336
On December 15, 1997, area code 336 was created in a geographic split from 910. The new code took over the northern portion of the former 910 territory, while 910 retained the Fayetteville and coastal areas.
This split was part of a nationwide wave of new area codes—336 was one of 43 area codes introduced in 1997 alone, as the telecom industry struggled to keep up with cellular phone growth.
2014-2016: The 743 Overlay
By 2014, even the 336 area code was running low on available numbers. On August 20, 2014, the North Carolina Utilities Commission announced that 336 would receive an overlay: area code 743.
The transition timeline:
October 24, 2015: Permissive 10-digit dialing begins
April 23, 2016: Mandatory 10-digit dialing takes effect
May 2016: First 743 numbers issued
Today, both 336 and 743 serve the same geographic area. You must dial all 10 digits for local calls.
336 Area Code Time Zone
The 336 area code operates in the Eastern Time Zone (ET):
When planning calls to or from 336 numbers, keep these time differences in mind:
North Carolina observes Daylight Saving Time, so the offset changes in spring and fall.
Is the 336 Area Code Legitimate? Scam Warnings
The 336 area code is completely legitimate, serving nearly 2 million real residents and businesses in North Carolina. However, like all area codes, it's targeted by scammers who spoof local numbers.
Spam Statistics
Area code 336 ranks #80 nationally for spam complaints, accounting for about 0.38% of all reported spam calls. While not among the worst offenders, residents should remain vigilant.
Most Reported Cities for Spam
Based on consumer reports, the cities with the most spam complaints from 336 numbers include:
North Wilkesboro, NC (15% of complaints)
Winston-Salem, NC (10% of complaints)
Greensboro, NC (5% of complaints)
Lexington, NC (4% of complaints)
Call Types by Delivery Method
Live Voice: 46% of spam reports (real person or AI)
Prerecorded/Robocall: 40% of spam reports
Text Message: 14% of spam reports
Common Scam Types from 336
Health Insurance Scams Callers claim to offer Affordable Care Act plans, Medicare supplements, or other coverage. They're often phishing for personal information.
Auto Warranty Scams The persistent "your car's warranty is about to expire" robocall that plagues every area code.
IRS/Tax Scams Callers claim you owe back taxes or that there's an issue with your return. Real IRS contacts come by mail first.
Utility Scams Fraudsters claim to be from Duke Energy or Piedmont Natural Gas, threatening disconnection unless immediate payment is made.
Tech Support Scams Callers claim your computer has a virus and offer to "fix" it for a fee while actually installing malware.
How to Protect Yourself
Don't trust caller ID — Numbers can be spoofed to show any 336 number
Never share sensitive information — Real businesses don't cold-call asking for SSN or payments
Hang up and call back — If a call seems legitimate, look up the official number yourself
Use call blocking apps — Nomorobo, Hiya, or Truecaller can filter known scam numbers
Register with Do Not Call — Visit donotcall.gov
Report scam calls — File complaints at reportfraud.ftc.gov or ncdoj.gov
When 336 Calls ARE Legitimate
Most 336 calls are perfectly legitimate. Expect real calls from:
Piedmont Triad businesses and employers
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and other hospitals
Universities (UNCG, NC A&T, Wake Forest, Elon)
Furniture and manufacturing companies
City and county government offices
Friends and family in the region
Should You Get a 336 Phone Number?
If you're establishing a presence in North Carolina's Piedmont region, here's what to consider:
Pros of a 336 Number
Regional credibility: Piedmont Triad residents recognize 336 as their local code
Business presence: Shows you serve the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point market
Growing economy: The Piedmont Triad is one of NC's fastest-growing regions
University connections: Signals proximity to major educational institutions
Cons of a 336 Number
Spam association: Some spam activity from this code
Not Charlotte/Raleigh: If targeting those metros, use 704/980 or 919/984 instead
10-digit dialing required: All local calls need the full number
How to Get a 336 Number
Major carriers: Request when setting up service in the region
VoIP providers: Google Voice, Grasshopper, or OpenPhone may have 336 numbers
Business phone services: RingCentral, Nextiva, and similar providers offer local numbers
For more on managing phone numbers and features, see our guide on call forwarding codes.
Major Landmarks and Institutions in 336
The 336 area code covers a region with significant cultural and economic importance:
Universities:
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem)
UNC Greensboro
NC A&T State University
High Point University
Elon University
Appalachian State University (Boone)
Guilford College
Healthcare:
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (major academic medical center)
Cone Health System
High Point Medical Center
Attractions:
High Point Market (world's largest furniture trade show)
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro)
Old Salem Museums & Gardens
Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Grandfather Mountain (Linville)
Industries:
Furniture manufacturing (High Point is the global capital)
Textiles and apparel
Tobacco (historically)
Healthcare and education
Growing tech and biotech sectors
Famous Connections:
Mount Airy: Andy Griffith's hometown, inspiration for Mayberry
Lexington: Barbecue Capital of the World
High Point: Home Furnishings Capital of the World
Related North Carolina Area Codes
Understanding North Carolina's area code landscape helps identify where callers are located:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 336 a North Carolina area code?
Yes, 336 is a North Carolina area code serving the Piedmont Triad region. It covers major cities including Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and Burlington, along with the northwestern mountain counties.
What area code is 336 in the USA?
The 336 area code covers north-central and northwestern North Carolina, including the Piedmont Triad metropolitan area. It serves approximately 1.6-1.8 million people.
Is 336 a scam area code?
No, 336 is a legitimate North Carolina area code. However, scammers spoof 336 numbers to appear local. Common scams include health insurance fraud, auto warranty calls, and IRS impersonation. Always verify callers independently.
What time zone is the 336 area code?
The 336 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). That's UTC-5 during standard time and UTC-4 during daylight saving time—the same as New York and the rest of North Carolina.
What's the difference between 336 and 743?
Both 336 and 743 serve the exact same geographic area in North Carolina. 336 is the original code (1997), while 743 is an overlay added in 2016 to provide additional phone numbers. Both require 10-digit dialing.
Is Greensboro in the 336 area code?
Yes, Greensboro is the largest city in the 336 area code. All of Guilford County, including Greensboro and High Point, is served by 336/743.
When was the 336 area code created?
Area code 336 was created on December 15, 1997, when it split from area code 910. It was one of 43 area codes introduced in 1997.
Why do I have to dial 10 digits in the 336 area?
Because 743 overlays 336, both codes exist in the same area. Ten-digit dialing (area code + number) is required to distinguish between 336 and 743 numbers, even for local calls. This became mandatory in April 2016.
Can I get a 336 number if I don't live in North Carolina?
Yes, many VoIP providers and business phone services offer 336 numbers regardless of your physical location. This is useful for businesses wanting a Piedmont Triad presence.
Is Mount Airy in the 336 area code?
Yes, Mount Airy (Surry County) is within the 336 area code. This is the hometown of Andy Griffith and the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry.
Wrapping Up
The 336 area code represents North Carolina's Piedmont Triad—a region known for furniture manufacturing, prestigious universities, and genuine Southern charm. From the furniture showrooms of High Point to the mountains of Boone, 336 connects a diverse and growing region.
Key takeaways:
336 covers the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point) and northwestern NC
Created in 1997, overlaid with 743 in 2016
Eastern Time Zone (same as New York)
Common scams include health insurance fraud and auto warranty calls
10-digit dialing is mandatory
Most 336 calls are legitimate—just verify before sharing personal information
Whether you're receiving calls from 336 or considering a North Carolina phone number, understanding this area code helps you navigate both legitimate connections and potential scams.
