Area code
256
256 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 256
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 256 at a glance
NANPA lists 786 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 256, held by 50 holders across 92 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1998-03-23 |
| Time zone | Central (C) |
| Assigned overlays | 938 (2010-07-10) |
| Prefixes in use | 786 |
| Pooled prefixes | 579 (74%) |
| Rate centers | 92 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 50 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-05 to 2025-05-15 (320 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 121 |
Rate centers in area code 256
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| HUNTSVILLE | 158 | 20% |
| DECATUR | 50 | 6% |
| ANNISTON | 43 | 5% |
| GADSDEN | 37 | 5% |
| CULLMAN | 36 | 5% |
| FLORENCE | 29 | 4% |
| ATHENS | 26 | 3% |
| ALEXANDRCY | 18 | 2% |
| 84 other rate centers | 389 | 49% |
Who holds the prefixes in 256
South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 180 (23%). 74% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Central Bell Tel | 180 | 23% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 114 | 15% |
| Verizon Wireless | 84 | 11% |
| Paetec Itel | 58 | 7% |
| Powertel Birmingham Licenses | 50 | 6% |
| Level 3 Communications | 42 | 5% |
| 44 other carriers | 258 | 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 256
- 1947-01-01 Area code 205, named as the parent of 256 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 1998-03-23 Area code 256 went into service.
- 2010-07-10 Area code 938 went into service as an overlay in the same area as 256.
Area codes nearest to 256
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 256
121 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | 24 |
| Anniston, AL | 6 |
| Gadsden, AL | 6 |
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 256 numbers
2,468 FCC complaints are on file for 1,929 numbers in 256, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2024 | 114 |
| 2025 | 104 |
Other area codes in Alabama
Alabama is one state with 7 area codes in the NANPA table. 256 is one of them.
Next to 256 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 256 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 256 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 256 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 256
Where is area code 256?
NANPA assigns area code 256 to Alabama, United States.
In which state does area code 256 sit?
Alabama. 256 is one of 7 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 256 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 256 are Huntsville, AL, Anniston, AL and Gadsden, AL. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 256?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 256, South Central Bell Tel holds the most prefixes, 180 prefixes or 23%.
Which time zone does 256 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 256 as Central (C).
What year did 256 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1998-03-23, so 256 has been in use since 1998.
Does area code 256 have an overlay?
Yes. 938 (in service 2010-07-10) shares the same area with 256, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 256?
The area codes closest to 256, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 659 (about 71 miles), 205 (about 72 miles), 931 (about 95 miles), 470 (about 120 miles) and 678 (about 120 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 256 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 786 prefixes in service in 256, spread over 92 rate centers and 50 holders.
Are there complaints about 256 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 2,468 complaints for 1,929 numbers in 256. 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.