🇺🇸 253 area code
Area code 253 covers Tacoma, Kent, Puyallup and Auburn and the surrounding area in Washington. Enter a 253 number below for a free check before you call back.
- Location: Tacoma, Washington
- Time zone: Pacific (UTC−8)
- In service since April 27, 1997
Look up a number
Validity, carrier, line type, and region on the first pass.
Area code 253 at a glance
- Area code
- 253
- Location
- Washington, United States
- Main cities
- Tacoma, Kent, Puyallup, Auburn, Federal Way, Gig Harbor
- Time zone
- Pacific (UTC−8)
- Local time now
- —
- In service since
- April 27, 1997
- Created from
- 206
- Local calls
- Dial 10 digits
- Number format
- (253) 555-0123
- From abroad
- +1 253 555 0123
Cities in area code 253
- Tacoma
- Kent
- Puyallup
- Auburn
- Federal Way
- Gig Harbor
- Lakewood
- Fife
- Bonney Lake
- Fox Island
Is a 253 call a scam?
An area code tells you where a number was first assigned, not where the caller is. Mobile numbers keep their area code when people move, and internet (VoIP) numbers can be picked in any area code — so a 253 number can be calling from anywhere.
Robocallers exploit that with "neighbor spoofing": showing a 253 number to people in Washington because a local-looking call is more likely to be answered. If a 253 call claims to be your bank, the IRS or a delivery company, hang up and call the official number yourself.
About area code 253
253 entered service on April 27, 1997, when it was split from 206.
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FAQ
Area code 253 questions
Sources: NANPA NPA database (11/04/2026) and Google libphonenumber. Area codes show where a number was assigned, not where its owner is today.
Where is area code 253?
Area code 253 is in Washington, United States. It covers Tacoma, Kent, Puyallup, Auburn, Federal Way and Gig Harbor.
What time zone is area code 253?
253 is in the Pacific (UTC−8) time zone, and observes daylight saving time.
When did area code 253 start?
253 entered service on April 27, 1997, created from 206.
How do I find out who called me from 253?
Enter the full number in the lookup at the top of this page. The free check confirms whether the number is valid and shows its carrier, line type and region; a full report adds owner and public-web records where they are available.
Why am I getting calls from area code 253?
If you live in or near Washington, they may be genuinely local — or robocalls spoofing a local-looking number. Unknown 253 callers who will not leave a message are best looked up before you call back.
Got a call from 253?
Run the free check first — validity, carrier, line type and region — and unlock the full report only if you need it.