🇺🇸 256 area code
Area code 256 covers Huntsville, Decatur, Anniston and Gadsden and the surrounding area in Alabama. It shares that territory with 938, so the same neighbourhood can have numbers in any of them. Enter a 256 number below for a free check before you call back.
- Location: Huntsville, Alabama
- Time zone: Central (UTC−6)
- In service since March 23, 1998
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Validade, operadora, tipo de linha e região na primeira passagem.
Area code 256 at a glance
- Area code
- 256
- Location
- Alabama, United States
- Main cities
- Huntsville, Decatur, Anniston, Gadsden, Athens, Cullman
- Time zone
- Central (UTC−6)
- Local time now
- —
- In service since
- March 23, 1998
- Created from
- 205
- Overlay codes
- 938
- Codes split from it
- 938
- Local calls
- Dial 10 digits
- Number format
- (256) 555-0123
- From abroad
- +1 256 555 0123
Cities in area code 256
- Huntsville
- Decatur
- Anniston
- Gadsden
- Athens
- Cullman
- Madison
- Talladega
- Albertville
- Florence
Is a 256 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 256 number can be calling from anywhere.
Robocallers exploit that with "neighbor spoofing": showing a 256 number to people in Alabama because a local-looking call is more likely to be answered. If a 256 call claims to be your bank, the IRS or a delivery company, hang up and call the official number yourself.
About area code 256
256 entered service on March 23, 1998, when it was split from 205.
It is part of the 256/938 overlay: the codes cover the same area, and a new line there can be given a number in any of them. Two neighbours — or two phones in one household — can have different area codes. That is also why local calls need the full ten digits.
As the region grew, 938 was carved out of or added to 256.
Area codes
More area codes in Alabama
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Perguntas frequentes
Area code 256 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 256?
Area code 256 is in Alabama, United States. It covers Huntsville, Decatur, Anniston, Gadsden, Athens and Cullman.
What time zone is area code 256?
256 is in the Central (UTC−6) time zone, and observes daylight saving time.
What area codes overlay 256?
938 serves the same area as 256. Numbers in all of them are local to one another.
When did area code 256 start?
256 entered service on March 23, 1998, created from 205.
How do I find out who called me from 256?
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 256?
If you live in or near Alabama, they may be genuinely local — or robocalls spoofing a local-looking number. Unknown 256 callers who will not leave a message are best looked up before you call back.
Got a call from 256?
Run the free check first — validity, carrier, line type and region — and unlock the full report only if you need it.