Area code
656
656 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to Florida, which has 23 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 656
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 656 at a glance
NANPA lists 98 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 656, held by 23 holders across 7 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 2022-02-22 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Assigned overlays | 813 (1953-01-01) |
| Prefixes in use | 98 |
| Pooled prefixes | 96 (98%) |
| Rate centers | 7 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 23 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2021-12-22 to 2026-08-24 (95 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 5 |
Rate centers in area code 656
The largest rate center is TAMPACEN, with 43 prefixes (44%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TAMPACEN | 43 | 44% |
| TAMPANTH | 14 | 14% |
| TAMPAEST | 9 | 9% |
| ZEPHYRHILS | 9 | 9% |
| TAMPASTH | 8 | 8% |
| TAMPAWST | 8 | 8% |
| PLANT CITY | 7 | 7% |
Who holds the prefixes in 656
Onvoy holds the most prefixes, 27 (28%). 98% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Onvoy | 27 | 28% |
| Fractel | 12 | 12% |
| Verizon Wireless | 12 | 12% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 11 | 11% |
| Aerial Communications | 8 | 8% |
| IP Horizon | 4 | 4% |
| 17 other carriers | 24 | 24% |
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 656
- 1953-01-01 Area code 813, named as the parent of 656 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 2022-02-22 Area code 656 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 656
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 656
5 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Plant City, FL | 5 |
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 656 numbers
122 FCC complaints are on file for 102 numbers in 656, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 25 |
Other area codes in Florida
Florida is one state with 23 area codes in the NANPA table. 656 is one of them.
Next to 656 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 656 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 656 was first assigned in Florida. 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 Florida next to a 656 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 656
Where is area code 656?
NANPA assigns area code 656 to Florida, United States.
In which state does area code 656 sit?
Florida. 656 is one of 23 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 656 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 656 are Plant City, FL. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 656?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 656, Onvoy holds the most prefixes, 27 prefixes or 28%.
Which time zone does 656 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 656 as Eastern (E).
What year did 656 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 2022-02-22, so 656 has been in use since 2022.
Does area code 656 have an overlay?
Yes. 813 (in service 1953-01-01) shares the same area with 656, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 656?
The area codes closest to 656, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 727 (about 36 miles), 863 (about 39 miles), 941 (about 55 miles), 407 (about 60 miles) and 689 (about 60 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 656 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 98 prefixes in service in 656, spread over 7 rate centers and 23 holders.
Are there complaints about 656 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 122 complaints for 102 numbers in 656. 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.