Area code
276
276 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Virginia, which has 10 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 276
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 276 at a glance
NANPA lists 370 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 276, held by 43 holders across 78 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 2001-09-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Prefixes in use | 370 |
| Pooled prefixes | 329 (89%) |
| Rate centers | 78 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 43 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-03-08 to 2026-08-17 (201 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 59 |
Rate centers in area code 276
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ABINGDON | 25 | 7% |
| NORTON | 25 | 7% |
| MARTINSVL | 20 | 5% |
| WYTHEVILLE | 19 | 5% |
| BRISTOL | 16 | 4% |
| RICHLANDS | 14 | 4% |
| GALAX | 11 | 3% |
| MARION | 11 | 3% |
| 70 other rate centers | 229 | 62% |
Who holds the prefixes in 276
Centurylink-Va holds the most prefixes, 46 (12%). 89% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Centurylink-Va | 46 | 12% |
| Onvoy | 33 | 9% |
| Verizon Wireless | 29 | 8% |
| Verizon Virginia | 27 | 7% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 24 | 6% |
| Brightspeed Of Virginia | 21 | 6% |
| 37 other carriers | 190 | 51% |
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 276
- 1995-07-15 Area code 540, named as the parent of 276 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 2001-09-01 Area code 276 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 276
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 276
59 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Bristol, VA | 5 |
| Abingdon, VA | 3 |
| Appalachia, VA | 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 276 numbers
1,188 FCC complaints are on file for 999 numbers in 276, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 64 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 76 |
Other area codes in Virginia
Virginia is one state with 10 area codes in the NANPA table. 276 is one of them.
Next to 276 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 276 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 276 was first assigned in Virginia. 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 Virginia next to a 276 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 276
Where is area code 276?
NANPA assigns area code 276 to Virginia, United States.
In which state does area code 276 sit?
Virginia. 276 is one of 10 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 276 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 276 are Bristol, VA, Abingdon, VA and Appalachia, VA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 276?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 276, Centurylink-Va holds the most prefixes, 46 prefixes or 12%.
Which time zone does 276 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 276 as Eastern (E).
What year did 276 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 2001-09-01, so 276 has been in use since 2001.
Does area code 276 have an overlay?
The NANPA NPA report lists no other area code in an overlay with 276.
Which area codes are nearest to 276?
The area codes closest to 276, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 828 (about 97 miles), 336 (about 105 miles), 743 (about 109 miles), 606 (about 112 miles) and 704 (about 121 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 276 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 370 prefixes in service in 276, spread over 78 rate centers and 43 holders.
Are there complaints about 276 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 1,188 complaints for 999 numbers in 276. 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.