Area code 501 is a telephone area code in Arkansas. It originally covered all of the state of Arkansas. It is one of the original 86 North American Numbering Plan areas assigned in 1947. As a result of population growth, area code 501 now covers only central Arkansas, including the capital, Little Rock. The coverage area includes most communities in Conway, Faulkner, Garland, Hot Spring, Lonoke, Perry, Pulaski, Saline and White counties.
Arkansas's original area code has been split twice. Area code 870 was introduced during the first split to cover areas in north-central, northeast, eastern and southern Arkansas. Areas of northwest Arkansas were assigned to area code 479 in a second split of the numbers assigned to 501.
Major cities in area code 501 include:
| Arkansas area codes: 479, 501, 870 | ||
|---|---|---|
| North: 870 | ||
| West: 479 | area code 501 | East: 870 |
| South: 870 | ||