Area code
251
251 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 251
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.
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Area code 251 at a glance
NANPA lists 526 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 251, held by 46 holders across 42 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 2001-06-18 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Prefixes in use | 526 |
| Pooled prefixes | 394 (75%) |
| Rate centers | 42 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 46 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-03 to 2026-01-09 (289 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 68 |
Rate centers in area code 251
The largest rate center is MOBILE, with 232 prefixes (44%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| MOBILE | 232 | 44% |
| FOLEY | 72 | 14% |
| ATMORE | 16 | 3% |
| JACKSON | 15 | 3% |
| FAIRHOPE | 14 | 3% |
| BAYMINETTE | 13 | 2% |
| BREWTON | 12 | 2% |
| EVERGREEN | 10 | 2% |
| 34 other rate centers | 142 | 27% |
Who holds the prefixes in 251
South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 87 (17%). 75% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Central Bell Tel | 87 | 17% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 71 | 13% |
| Onvoy | 66 | 13% |
| Verizon Wireless | 38 | 7% |
| Brightspeed Of Southern Alabama | 29 | 6% |
| Eliska Wireless Ventures Subsidiary I | 29 | 6% |
| 40 other carriers | 206 | 39% |
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 251
- 1995-01-15 Area code 334, named as the parent of 251 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 2001-06-18 Area code 251 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 251
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
ZIP codes in area code 251
68 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | 34 |
| Atmore, AL | 3 |
| Brewton, AL | 2 |
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 251 numbers
1,351 FCC complaints are on file for 1,142 numbers in 251, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 80 |
| 2024 | 79 |
| 2025 | 87 |
Other area codes in Alabama
Alabama is one state with 7 area codes in the NANPA table. 251 is one of them.
Next to 251 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 251 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 251 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 251 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 251
Where is area code 251?
NANPA assigns area code 251 to Alabama, United States.
In which state does area code 251 sit?
Alabama. 251 is one of 7 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 251 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 251 are Mobile, AL, Atmore, AL and Brewton, AL. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 251?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 251, South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 87 prefixes or 17%.
Which time zone does 251 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 251 as Central (C).
What year did 251 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 2001-06-18, so 251 has been in use since 2001.
Does area code 251 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 251.
Which area codes are nearest to 251?
The area codes closest to 251, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 228 (about 64 miles), 448 (about 113 miles), 850 (about 118 miles), 334 (about 128 miles) and 601 (about 133 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 251 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 526 prefixes in service in 251, spread over 42 rate centers and 46 holders.
Are there complaints about 251 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 1,351 complaints for 1,142 numbers in 251. 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.