Area Code 231 – Cirebon

Overview of Area Code 231 (Cirebon, Indonesia)

Area code 231 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the region of Cirebon and its surrounding areas in the western part of Central Java, Indonesia. This code is part of the Indonesian national numbering plan, which adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard. The area code 231 covers the city of Cirebon (Kota Cirebon) and the regency of Cirebon (Kabupaten Cirebon), as well as parts of the adjacent Indramayu and Majalengka regencies, which are served by the same local exchange area. The region is strategically located on the northern coast of Java, serving as a major transportation hub between Jakarta and Central Java.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 231 area code encompasses a mix of urban and rural areas. The primary city, Cirebon, is known for its historical significance and its role as a major port and trading center. The administrative jurisdiction includes the municipal government of Cirebon and the regency government of Cirebon, which together form a significant population center. The area is also home to several industrial zones, making it an important economic region in West Java province (though administratively, Cirebon is part of West Java province, not Central Java; the area code 231 serves the Cirebon region which is in West Java).

Dialing Formats

For local callers within the 231 area code, calls to other numbers in the same area code are made using the 7-digit subscriber number directly, without the trunk prefix '0' or the area code. For example, to call a local number in Cirebon, you would dial: 1234567.

For callers from outside the 231 area code but still within Indonesia, the national trunk prefix '0' must be used followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The format is: 0-231-XXXXXXX. For instance, if you are calling from Jakarta to a Cirebon number, you would dial: 0-231-1234567.

For international callers, the Indonesian country code (+62) replaces the trunk prefix '0'. The international dialing format is: +62-231-XXXXXXX. For example, a caller from the United States would dial: +62 231 1234567. Note that the leading '0' of the national trunk prefix is omitted in international format.

Number Length and Structure

Subscriber numbers within the 231 area code typically consist of 7 digits, but may vary between 5 to 7 digits depending on the specific exchange and the density of the area. The complete national significant number (NSN) for a Cirebon landline is 10 digits, including the area code (231) and the subscriber number. The international format includes the country code (+62) followed by the NSN, resulting in a total of 12 digits when dialed from abroad.

Overlay and Future Considerations

As of the latest updates, there is no overlay area code for 231; the region is served exclusively by this single geographic code. However, with the growth of telecommunication services, especially VoIP and mobile services, the distinction between geographic and non-geographic numbers is becoming less relevant. Nonetheless, for traditional PSTN landlines, the 231 code remains a reliable indicator of the Cirebon area.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Cirebon): Dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly.
• National callers (outside Cirebon): Dial 0-231-XXXXXXX.
• International callers: Dial +62-231-XXXXXXX.

Always ensure you have the correct subscriber number, as the area code is essential for routing calls to the Cirebon region.