Area code 216 serves Cleveland, Ohio, and its immediate inner-ring suburbs. It is one of the original area codes established in 1947 and has become a symbol of the city’s identity and industrial heritage. Once covering much of northeastern Ohio, 216 has been reduced in geographic scope by the creation of 330 and 440. Today, it remains centered on the Cleveland metro core, home to major healthcare systems, sports franchises, and manufacturing sectors. 216 is deeply ingrained in the cultural and civic pride of Cleveland, often used in local media, music, and business branding.