Area code 253 covers Tacoma and surrounding areas in Washington. It was activated in 1997 as an overlay of area code 206.
| State | Washington |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Tacoma |
| Cities also served | Tacoma, Federal Way, Kent, Auburn, Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place, Gig Harbor |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST) |
| Year established | April 27, 1997 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 206 |
| Overlay codes | None |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 253
Area code 253 serves Southern Puget Sound — Pierce County, southern King County, and parts of Kitsap County, including the following cities and communities:
- Tacoma
- Federal Way
- Kent
- Auburn
- Lakewood
- Puyallup
- University Place
- Gig Harbor
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 206, 360, 425, 509, 564.
How to Get a 253 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 253 area code, each suited to a different need:
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Browse 253 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 253 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 253 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 253 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
- Port an existing 253 number. If you already have a 253 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of Washington sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 253 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 253 area code still in use?
Yes. 253 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Southern Puget Sound — Pierce County, southern King County, and parts of Kitsap County.
What is the parent area code of 253?
Area code 253 is an overlay of 206. Both codes serve the same region of Washington.
Can I get a 253 number if I don't live in Washington?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 253 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 253 a scam area code?
No. 253 is a legitimate, active area code for Southern Puget Sound — Pierce County, southern King County, and parts of Kitsap County. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 253 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Washington businesses, government offices, and residents.
Where is the 253 area code located?
Area code 253 covers the southern Puget Sound region of Washington state, centered on Tacoma and including Federal Way, Kent, Auburn, Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place, and Gig Harbor across Pierce County, southern King County, and parts of Kitsap County.
When was area code 253 created?
Area code 253 went into service on April 27, 1997. It was created by splitting area code 206, which had served all of western Washington and was facing number exhaustion due to rapid population growth in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area.
Does area code 253 have an overlay?
As of mid-2026, area code 253 has no active overlay and remains the sole area code for its geographic territory. Ten-digit dialing is nonetheless required for local calls within the 253 area, consistent with western Washington dialing rules implemented in 2017.
What time zone is the 253 area code in?
The 253 area code operates in the Pacific Time Zone — UTC-8 during standard time and UTC-7 during daylight saving time.
