Area code
206
206 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Washington, which has 6 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 206
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 206 at a glance
NANPA lists 751 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 206, held by 50 holders across 5 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Pacific (P) |
| Assigned overlays | 564 (2017-08-28) |
| Prefixes in use | 751 |
| Pooled prefixes | 414 (55%) |
| Rate centers | 5 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 50 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-23 to 2026-02-20 (227 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 60 |
Rate centers in area code 206
The largest rate center is SEATTLE, with 675 prefixes (90%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| SEATTLE | 675 | 90% |
| BAINBDG IS | 28 | 4% |
| DES MOINES | 21 | 3% |
| RICHMNDBCH | 19 | 3% |
| VASHON | 8 | 1% |
Who holds the prefixes in 206
Qwest holds the most prefixes, 243 (32%). 55% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Qwest | 243 | 32% |
| T-Mobile USA | 95 | 13% |
| Onvoy | 72 | 10% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 58 | 8% |
| Verizon Wireless | 57 | 8% |
| Mcimetro Access Transmission Services | 36 | 5% |
| 44 other carriers | 190 | 25% |
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 206
- 1947-01-01 Area code 206 went into service.
- 1995-01-15 Area code 360 went into service and names 206 as its parent.
- 1997-04-27 Area code 253 went into service and names 206 as its parent.
- 1997-04-27 Area code 425 went into service and names 206 as its parent.
Area codes nearest to 206
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 206
60 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 59 |
| Vashon, WA | 1 |
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 206 numbers
7,983 FCC complaints are on file for 5,151 numbers in 206, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 233 |
| 2024 | 257 |
| 2025 | 221 |
Other area codes in Washington
Washington is one state with 6 area codes in the NANPA table. 206 is one of them.
Next to 206 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 206 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 206 was first assigned in Washington. 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 Washington next to a 206 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 206
Where is area code 206?
NANPA assigns area code 206 to Washington, United States.
In which state does area code 206 sit?
Washington. 206 is one of 6 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 206 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 206 are Seattle, WA and Vashon, WA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 206?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 206, Qwest holds the most prefixes, 243 prefixes or 32%.
Which time zone does 206 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 206 as Pacific (P).
What year did 206 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 206 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 206 have an overlay?
Yes. 564 (in service 2017-08-28) shares the same area with 206, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 206?
The area codes closest to 206, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 425 (about 8 miles), 253 (about 25 miles), 360 (about 56 miles), 971 (about 154 miles) and 503 (about 155 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 206 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 751 prefixes in service in 206, spread over 5 rate centers and 50 holders.
Are there complaints about 206 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 7,983 complaints for 5,151 numbers in 206. 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.