Area code
205
205 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Alabama, which has 7 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 205
Paste a full number and the tool checks it against the numbering plan. It returns the standard formats, the line type the plan assigns and the area code region.
Digits with or without punctuation work. Numbers outside the US are read with the +country code.
Area code 205 at a glance
NANPA lists 785 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 205, held by 51 holders across 71 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Assigned overlays | 659 (2019-11-12) |
| Prefixes in use | 785 |
| Pooled prefixes | 512 (65%) |
| Rate centers | 71 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 51 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-29 to 2025-06-27 (282 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 135 |
Rate centers in area code 205
The largest rate center is BIRMINGHAM, with 370 prefixes (47%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| BIRMINGHAM | 370 | 47% |
| TUSCALOOSA | 69 | 9% |
| BESSEMER | 31 | 4% |
| JASPER | 21 | 3% |
| ALABASTER | 19 | 2% |
| CLANTON | 13 | 2% |
| PELL CITY | 11 | 1% |
| EUTAW | 9 | 1% |
| 63 other rate centers | 242 | 31% |
Who holds the prefixes in 205
South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 223 (28%). 65% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Central Bell Tel | 223 | 28% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 92 | 12% |
| Verizon Wireless | 84 | 11% |
| Paetec Itel | 53 | 7% |
| Powertel Birmingham Licenses | 42 | 5% |
| Brightspeed Of Alabama, LLC - Northern | 35 | 4% |
| 45 other carriers | 256 | 33% |
A prefix holder is the company a code was assigned to, not necessarily a number's current carrier, because numbers can be ported to another company. Find which carrier a number is on, or browse the prefix holders.
History of area code 205
- 1947-01-01 Area code 205 went into service.
- 1995-01-15 Area code 334 went into service and names 205 as its parent.
- 1998-03-23 Area code 256 went into service and names 205 as its parent.
- 2019-11-12 Area code 659 went into service as an overlay in the same area as 205.
Area codes nearest to 205
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
Overlay codes in the same area
ZIP codes in area code 205
135 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 62 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 9 |
| Bessemer, AL | 4 |
A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems. A ZIP code can sit in more than one area code, and an area code spans many ZIP codes.
Complaints on file for 205 numbers
4,038 FCC complaints are on file for 3,039 numbers in 205, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 135 |
| 2024 | 107 |
| 2025 | 138 |
Other area codes in Alabama
Alabama is one state with 7 area codes in the NANPA table. 205 is one of them.
Next to 205 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 205 when all are sorted by number. They are neighbours on the list, not necessarily on the map.
What the area code does and does not tell you
A number that starts with 205 was first assigned in Alabama. That is a fact about where the number began, and it is a useful hint when you check a form entry, for example a billing address in Alabama next to a 205 phone number.
It does not show where the person is today. A number stays with its owner after a move or a change of provider (number portability), and mobile numbers travel with the handset. The area code also cannot tell you whether the line is active, who the carrier is, or whether the number is mobile or fixed: the plan shares those ranges. Read more about the area code, the numbering plan and line type.
Check numbers in bulk with the API
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Numbering-Plan Validation | 1 credit per valid number | API docs |
| Phone Intelligence (carrier and line status) | 1 credit per check (invalid numbers outside the US and Canada are free) | Product page |
Questions about area code 205
Where is area code 205?
NANPA assigns area code 205 to Alabama, United States.
In which state does area code 205 sit?
Alabama. 205 is one of 7 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 205 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 205 are Birmingham, AL, Tuscaloosa, AL and Bessemer, AL. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 205?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 205, South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 223 prefixes or 28%.
Which time zone does 205 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 205 as Central (C).
What year did 205 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 205 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 205 have an overlay?
Yes. 659 (in service 2019-11-12) shares the same area with 205, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 205?
The area codes closest to 205, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 938 (about 70 miles), 256 (about 72 miles), 483 (about 93 miles), 334 (about 116 miles) and 662 (about 147 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 205 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 785 prefixes in service in 205, spread over 71 rate centers and 51 holders.
Are there complaints about 205 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 4,038 complaints for 3,039 numbers in 205. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.
Area code assignments: North American Numbering Plan Administrator NPA report, file dated 10/17/2026, retrieved 2026-10-17. Source file. New codes are assigned several times a year. Prefixes, rate centers, holders, time zone, in-service date and overlays: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17 and NPA report dated 2026-10-18. Complaints: FCC consumer complaints open data, fetched 2026-10-17. ZIP code places: Postal code places and coordinates: GeoNames (geonames.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.