Florida · Eastern Time
656 Area Code
Area code 656 is in Florida, serving Tampa, Hillsborough County and southern Pasco County on Florida's Gulf Coast. It is in the Eastern Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 813, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 656 area code?
656 is a Florida area code covering Tampa, Hillsborough County and southern Pasco County on Florida's Gulf Coast. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 656 area code
- Tampa
- Brandon
- Riverview
- Plant City
- Temple Terrace
- Wesley Chapel
- Lutz
- Valrico
- Apollo Beach
- Ruskin
- Sun City Center
- Land O' Lakes
- Zephyrhills
Counties served by 656
Hillsborough County and Pasco County.
Time zone note: Most of Florida is Eastern; the western Panhandle (around Pensacola) is Central.
656 overlay codes and dialing
The 656 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 656, 813. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 813. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 656 area code
656 went into service on February 22, 2022 as an overlay of 813, relieving number exhaustion in the Tampa area. Rather than splitting the region, the overlay lets existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 656 a scam or spam risk?
656 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 656 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Tampa, FL or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Florida area codes
Explore more
See every code in Florida, compare codes across the South region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 6XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
656 area code FAQ
Where is the 656 area code?
The 656 area code is in Florida, covering Tampa, Hillsborough County and southern Pasco County on Florida's Gulf Coast, in the South region.
What cities are in the 656 area code?
Cities in the 656 area code include Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Valrico, Apollo Beach and Ruskin.
What time zone is 656 in?
656 is in the Eastern Time zone. Most of Florida is Eastern; the western Panhandle (around Pensacola) is Central.
What is the overlay for the 656 area code?
656 shares its territory with 813. Both codes (656, 813) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 656 area code start?
656 went into service on February 22, 2022 as an overlay of 813.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 656?
Yes. Because 656 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 656 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 656 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.