Get a 312 Area Code Phone Number Today

It’s since been split again, making Chicago one of the few cities in the country that’s split into different area codes (similar to the 310 area code for Los Angeles and the 213 area code for Downtown Los Angeles). Because of this, however, it holds a pretty powerful prominence in pop culture; the 312 area code conjures images of real Downtown Chicago and all of the associations that come with it.

The population of Cook county is currently around 5,194,675 residents, with roughly 2,695,598 of them living in Chicago. Another area code will likely be needed soon to properly serve the ever-expanding population. In other words, it’s only going to get harder to get the iconic 312 area code. 

There are a few different ways that you can try to get a specific area code. The odds of success and potential side effects will be different for each method. While all of them can work, you’ll soon see that one option is much better than the rest when it comes to getting the area code phone number you need. 

Here are three ways that you can get a 312 area code: 

Request One From Your Phone Service Provider

Millions of people each year will move to a location (or start a new local business) that has a different area code from their original. To embrace their new community, they’ll usually want to update their area code.

A simple phone call to their phone service provider is normally all that it takes. If you want a 312 area code, you can call your phone service provider and specifically request it. It's no big deal for them to change it, and, in terms of pricing, they’ll usually do so free of charge. 

The main issue with doing that is that you’ll have to give up your current personal or business phone number. That means updating all of your online accounts and informing the people in your contact list.

The sacrifice will be permanent, as you won’t be able to get your old number back in the future. Depending on why you want a 312 area code, that can be an immediate deal breaker.

Even if you were okay with making the sacrifice, it’s very highly unlikely that you’ll get a 312 number. Remember that the 312 area code has been serving Chicago since before Polaroids were available for purchase. A 75-year-old area code coupled with millions of people living in the region means you’re probably getting an 872 number instead. 

Buy a New Phone in Chicago

The area code that’s assigned to a landline is naturally based on the location’s physical address. The entire point of a cell phone is that it's mobile and isn’t tied to any specific address. Instead of an address, cell phones receive their area code designation based on where the phone is purchased and activated.

That means that going to Chicago, buying a new phone, and activating while you’re there could land you a 312 area code. 

There are a couple of notable downsides to this option. The main one is that you’ll probably be assigned an 872 number instead. The odds of a 312 number being open are the same as they were in the first option: extremely low. You could call your phone service provider and possibly get it changed. Even if you’re successful, there are still a few more downsides to this plan.

For example, it’s going to cost you quite a bit of money in travel expenses to Chicago. The farther away that you live, the more expensive it will be. That’s only the beginning of the costs as you’ll have to buy a new phone too.

You could go for a cheap phone if you like, but you’ll likely be paying double your monthly phone bill. How much are you willing to pay for a 312 area code?

The best-case scenario is that you can afford the costs and get assigned a 312 area code. That means that you’ll now be stuck with juggling two different phones. The number of phone calls will double. The space in your pockets will be reduced by double. The odds of breaking a screen will double. The time spent charging your phones will double.

You’ll have to remember which number to use when dialing a friend or which number is for business — the same with messaging. You’ll need to remember which voicemailmessages were on which phone, carrying both, just in case. 

Sounds like a lot of trouble just for an area code. 

Download the Burner App

We saved the best option for last so that you can see how much better it is than the rest. Downloading the Burner app is the only way to 100% guarantee a 312 area code. The very first thing that you do is enter the specific area code that you want.

Once you do, you’ll be provided with a list of randomly generated phone numbers. Select the one that you want, finish creating your account, and you’ll have access in a few minutes. Activation is just that easy. 

You don’t have to sacrifice your current number. You don’t have to fly to Chicago. You don’t have to stuff multiple phones in your pockets. You’ll have two numbers on one phone for a few dollars a month. Whenever someone calls or texts your 312 number, it will be rerouted through Burner and transferred to your phone. It doesn’t get any more convenient or cheaper than that. 

If you ever want to get a new area code, Burner can give it to you in a few minutes. If you ever want to add another line, it’s not a problem, either. If you ever decide that you don’t need another number, you can cancel at any time. No commitment, no strings attached, and no questions asked. 

The Takeaway

The people of Chicago are fiercely loyal to their city. If you’re trying to conduct business in Chicago with an outside area code, you might as well be ordering New York-style pizza downtown.

The locals will immediately flag you as an outsider and most likely ignore you. Having a 312 area code will show them that you’re serious about joining the Chicago community.

The best way to get a 312 area code is to use the Burner app. The other options have a low probability of success, are highly inconvenient, and/or overly expensive. Burner is 100% guaranteed to work, is as simple as downloading an app, and costs a few dollars. It’s by far the top method of getting a 312 area code.

Visit Burner today to start your free trial and see for yourself. You’ll be able to experience an area code that’s as authentic to Chicago as deep dish pizza, Michael Jordan, Wrigley Field, and Millenium Park.

SOURCES:

Illinois area codes | All Area Codes

The Ultimate Chicago Bucket List | Choose Chicago

Moving Without Changing Your Cellphone Number: A Predicament for Pollsters | Pew Research Center Methods

US States | World Population Review

312 Area Code | All Area Codes

the Loop | area, Chicago, Illinois, United States | Britannica