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AREA CODE · WASHINGTON

Area code 253

Area code 253 covers Tacoma, Washington. Map, time zone, overlays, carriers, the full list of prefixes and how to dial it.

State: Washington Major City: Tacoma Pacific Time (PT) Overlay: None
01 / WHERE IT IS

Where is area code 253?

Area code 253 is assigned to Tacoma and the surrounding region in Washington. Calls to numbers that start with 253 are routed to this area.

Area code 253 is not currently part of an overlay: it serves its territory on its own.

Counties covered

Pierce CountyKing County

Line types

  • Mobile 33.14%
  • Landline 66.86%
02 / MAP

Area code 253 on the map

The shaded area joins the code’s numbering centers; the marker shows its main city.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors

03 / LOCAL TIME

Current time in Tacoma

This area code is in the Pacific Time (PT) time zone.

Local timeTacoma, WA--:--:--

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America/Los_AngelesLive
04 / HOW TO DIAL

How to call Tacoma

WITHIN THE US253 XXX XXXX

Always 10 digits — landline, mobile or VoIP. Local, long distance or a different state: the format is always the same. You do not need to dial the 1 first.

FROM ABROAD+1 253 XXX XXXX

Exit codes: 00 Europe/Mexico · 011 Canada · 010 Japan · + universal

WHATSAPP / IMESSAGE+1 253 XXX XXXX

Always save the number in international format so messaging apps recognize it correctly:

Call typeTraditional landlineMobile / VoIP
Local (same area code)10 digits10 digits
US long distance1 + 10 digits10 digits
Emergency911911
🌐Universal+1 253 555 0123
🇪🇸🇲🇽Spain / Mexico00 1 253 555 0123
🇦🇺Australia0011 1 253 555 0123
🇯🇵Japan010 1 253 555 0123
HAVE THE FULL NUMBER?

Learn more about that number.

Check the line type and the carrier the number block was originally assigned to.

10 digits to see the carrier and line type of the number

05 / CARRIERS

Carriers in area code 253

Share of the number blocks by carrier and line type.

Landline

Lumen Technologies
54%
Sinch
14%
Ziply Fiber
9%
Verizon Business
6%
AT&T
5%
Others
13%

Mobile

T-MOBILE USA
46%
Verizon Wireless
29%
AT&T Mobility
20%
USA Mobility
4%
Boost Mobile
1%

Carrier shown is the original assignment of each number block and may differ today because of number portability.

06 / PREFIXES

Complete list of prefixes for area code 253

507 number blocks (NXX) assigned in this area code.

PrefixTypeCityCarrier
(253) 200 Landline Puyallup Lumen TechnologiesLEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA
(253) 201 Landline Tacoma SinchONVOY, LLC - WA
(253) 202 Mobile Tacoma-Waverly T-MOBILE USAT-MOBILE USA, INC.
(253) 203 Landline Tacoma Windstream CommunicationsPAETEC ITEL, LLC
(253) 204 Landline Auburn SinchONVOY, LLC - WA
(253) 205 Landline Auburn Lumen TechnologiesLEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA
(253) 207 Landline Tacoma Lumen TechnologiesQWEST CORPORATION
(253) 208 Mobile Tacoma Verizon WirelessCELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - WA
(253) 209 Mobile Tacoma AT&T MobilityNEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC
(253) 210 Landline Graham Lumen TechnologiesLEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA

Showing 10 of 507 prefixes

07 / FAQ

Frequently asked questions about area code 253

Where is area code 253 used?
Area code 253 serves Tacoma and the surrounding area in Washington, including Pierce County, King County.
What city is area code 253 from?
The main city of area code 253 is Tacoma, WA.
What time zone is area code 253 in?
Area code 253 is in the Pacific Time (PT) time zone (America/Los_Angeles).
Is 253 an overlay area code?
No. Area code 253 is not currently part of an overlay.
How do I call a number with area code 253 from the United States?
Dial the 10 digits: 253 + 7-digit number. For some long-distance calls from a landline you may need to add a 1 first.
How do I call a 253 number from another country?
Dial your country's exit code (or +), then 1, then 253 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile you can use +1 253 XXX XXXX.
Which carriers use area code 253?
Most landline blocks belong to Lumen Technologies and most mobile blocks to T-MOBILE USA. The carrier shown is the original assignment and may differ today because of number portability.
Is area code 253 for landlines, mobiles or both?
Both. About 66.86% of the number blocks are landline, 33.14% mobile.
How do I save a 253 number in WhatsApp or my phone?
Save it in international format: +1 253 XXX XXXX. That way WhatsApp, iMessage and Telegram recognize it from any country.
Is it safe to answer calls from area code 253?
The area code only shows the region a number was assigned to; it does not tell you who is calling. Scammers can fake any area code, so do not share personal or banking information with unknown callers, and let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
KEEP EXPLORING

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