Area code
826
826 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 826
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 826 at a glance
NANPA lists 119 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 826, held by 28 holders across 68 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 2022-06-14 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Assigned overlays | 540 (1995-07-15) |
| Prefixes in use | 119 |
| Pooled prefixes | 119 (100%) |
| Rate centers | 68 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 28 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2022-04-15 to 2026-06-16 (118 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 110 |
Rate centers in area code 826
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| HARRISONBG | 10 | 8% |
| FREDECKSBG | 9 | 8% |
| PEARISBURG | 9 | 8% |
| ROANOKE | 9 | 8% |
| CHRISTISBG | 5 | 4% |
| STAFFORD | 4 | 3% |
| CHANCELLOR | 3 | 3% |
| WINCHESTER | 3 | 3% |
| 60 other rate centers | 67 | 56% |
Who holds the prefixes in 826
Fractel holds the most prefixes, 15 (13%). 100% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fractel | 15 | 13% |
| Onvoy | 15 | 13% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 11 | 9% |
| United States Cellular | 9 | 8% |
| Nuso | 7 | 6% |
| Omnipoint Communications Cap Operations | 7 | 6% |
| 22 other carriers | 55 | 46% |
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 826
- 1995-07-15 Area code 540, named as the parent of 826 in the NANPA report, was in service.
- 2022-06-14 Area code 826 went into service.
Area codes nearest to 826
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
- 434 about 58 mi
- 681 about 96 mi
- 304 about 97 mi
- 686 about 105 mi
- 804 about 109 mi
Overlay codes in the same area
ZIP codes in area code 826
110 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 41 |
| Blacksburg, VA | 4 |
| Winchester, VA | 4 |
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 826 numbers
76 FCC complaints are on file for 74 numbers in 826, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 20 |
Other area codes in Virginia
Virginia is one state with 10 area codes in the NANPA table. 826 is one of them.
Next to 826 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 826 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 826 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 826 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 826
Where is area code 826?
NANPA assigns area code 826 to Virginia, United States.
In which state does area code 826 sit?
Virginia. 826 is one of 10 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 826 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 826 are Roanoke, VA, Blacksburg, VA and Winchester, VA. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 826?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 826, Fractel holds the most prefixes, 15 prefixes or 13%.
Which time zone does 826 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 826 as Eastern (E).
What year did 826 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 2022-06-14, so 826 has been in use since 2022.
Does area code 826 have an overlay?
Yes. 540 (in service 1995-07-15) shares the same area with 826, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 826?
The area codes closest to 826, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 434 (about 58 miles), 681 (about 96 miles), 304 (about 97 miles), 686 (about 105 miles) and 804 (about 109 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 826 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 119 prefixes in service in 826, spread over 68 rate centers and 28 holders.
Are there complaints about 826 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 76 complaints for 74 numbers in 826. 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.