South region · Central Time
Alabama Area Codes
All 7 area codes serving Alabama, the cities each one covers, and which are overlays. Alabama is served by 7 area codes in the Central Time zone.
Last updated October 1, 2026
Full list
Every Alabama area code
Alabama is served by 7 area codes in the Central Time zone. 3 of these are overlay codes layered over busy metros; the rest are geographic codes.
| Code | Area served | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and surrounding counties in west-central Alabama | Geographic | Since 1947 |
| 251 | Mobile, Baldwin County and the rest of southwestern Alabama including the Gulf Coast | Geographic | Since 2001 |
| 256 | Northern and northeastern Alabama including Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Gadsden and Anniston | Geographic | Since 1998 |
| 334 | Southeastern and central Alabama including Montgomery, Dothan, Auburn and Phenix City | Geographic | Since 1995 |
| 483 | Southeastern and central Alabama including Montgomery, Dothan, Auburn and Phenix City | Overlay | Since 2026 |
| 659 | Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and surrounding counties in west-central Alabama | Overlay | Since 2019 |
| 938 | Northern and northeastern Alabama including Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Gadsden and Anniston | Overlay | Since 2010 |
Area codes and dialing in Alabama
Alabama's 7 area codes mix older geographic codes with newer overlays. The busiest metros — around Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile — carry the most numbers and rely on overlays, which is why 10-digit dialing is required there. Quieter parts of the state may still use a single code. The original code in the Alabama list is 205 (Birmingham).
Whenever a Alabama region runs low on numbers, a new overlay is added on top rather than splitting the map, so existing customers keep their numbers. See 10-digit dialing for what that means in practice, or the newest area codes for upcoming changes.
Cities with multiple area codes
These Alabama metros are served by an overlay of two or more codes, so 10-digit dialing applies: Birmingham · Huntsville · Montgomery.
Browse Alabama another way
Explore by South region, by time zone, or jump to the city index. You can also see the complete numeric list of every US area code.
Quick answers
Alabama area code FAQ
How many area codes does Alabama have?
Alabama currently has 7 area codes: 205, 251, 256, 334, 483, 659, 938.
What is the main area code for Alabama?
The busiest metro in Alabama is served by the 205 code. Major cities include Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery.
Does Alabama require 10-digit dialing?
Yes, in its overlay metros you must dial all 10 digits. Ten-digit dialing is the national standard.