Texas · Central Time
956 Area Code
Area code 956 is in Texas, serving south Texas border region, including Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. It is in the Central Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 956 area code?
956 is a Texas area code covering south Texas border region, including Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 956 area code
- Laredo
- Brownsville
- McAllen
- Edinburg
- Mission
- Pharr
- Harlingen
- Weslaco
- San Benito
- Rio Grande City
- Port Isabel
- South Padre Island
- Zapata
Counties served by 956
Webb County, Cameron County, Hidalgo County, Starr County, Zapata County, Willacy County and Jim Hogg County.
Time zone note: Almost all of Texas is Central; far-west El Paso is Mountain.
Dialing 956
Laredo, TX is currently served by the single area code 956, with no overlay. Ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) always works and is increasingly the norm nationwide; some local calls may still connect with seven digits. If a future overlay is added, 10-digit dialing would become mandatory.
From outside the US, dial +1 956 followed by the seven-digit number.
History of the 956 area code
956 went into service on July 7, 1997, created when it was split from 210. It serves Laredo and the surrounding part of Texas. For how codes are created, split, and overlaid, see how area codes work.
Is 956 a scam or spam risk?
956 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 956 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Laredo, TX or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Texas area codes
Explore more
See every code in Texas, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 9XX 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
956 area code FAQ
Where is the 956 area code?
The 956 area code is in Texas, covering south Texas border region, including Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley, in the South region.
What cities are in the 956 area code?
Cities in the 956 area code include Laredo, Brownsville, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, Harlingen, Weslaco, San Benito and Rio Grande City.
What time zone is 956 in?
956 is in the Central Time zone. Almost all of Texas is Central; far-west El Paso is Mountain.
When did the 956 area code start?
956 went into service on July 7, 1997.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 956?
Ten-digit dialing always works, and many areas now require it; some local calls in this area may still connect with seven digits.
Is 956 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 956 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.