Area code 254 covers Waco and surrounding areas in Texas. It was activated in 1997 as an overlay of area code 817. For the full picture, see all Texas area codes.
| State | Texas |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Waco |
| Cities also served | Waco, Killeen, Temple, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, Stephenville, Brownwood |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | May 25, 1997 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 817 |
| Overlay codes | None |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 254
Area code 254 serves Central Texas — Waco, Killeen-Temple corridor, and surrounding communities across Bell, McLennan, Coryell, Hamilton, Bosque, and adjacent counties, including the following cities and communities:
- Waco
- Killeen
- Temple
- Copperas Cove
- Harker Heights
- Belton
- Stephenville
- Brownwood
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 817, 682, 325, 512, 737.
How to Get a 254 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 254 area code, each suited to a different need:
Ready to Get a 254 Number?
One-time fee. No monthly charges. Port to any carrier in 3–5 business days. NYC's most trusted source since 2009.
Browse 254 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 254 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 254 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 254 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 254 number. If you already have a 254 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 Texas sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 254 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 254 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 254 numbers for Waco, Texas — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 254 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 254 area code still in use?
Yes. 254 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Central Texas — Waco, Killeen-Temple corridor, and surrounding communities across Bell, McLennan, Coryell, Hamilton, Bosque, and adjacent counties.
What is the parent area code of 254?
Area code 254 is an overlay of 817. Both codes serve the same region of Texas.
Can I get a 254 number if I don't live in Texas?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 254 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 254 a scam area code?
No. 254 is a legitimate, active area code for Central Texas — Waco, Killeen-Temple corridor, and surrounding communities across Bell, McLennan, Coryell, Hamilton, Bosque, and adjacent counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 254 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Texas businesses, government offices, and residents.
What cities are in the 254 area code?
The 254 area code covers over 100 cities in central Texas, with the largest being Waco, Killeen, and Temple. Other notable cities include Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, Belton, Stephenville, and Brownwood.
When was area code 254 created?
Area code 254 was put into service on May 25, 1997. It was created via a geographic split of area code 817, which had previously covered both the Fort Worth region and central Texas.
Does area code 254 have an overlay?
No. As of 2026, area code 254 has no overlay codes and remains the sole area code for its central Texas service territory.
Why does 254 require ten-digit dialing?
Ten-digit dialing became mandatory in area code 254 on October 24, 2021. Because the code had numbers assigned under the 988 prefix — which was nationally designated as the dialing code for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2020 — the FCC required the region to transition to ten-digit dialing to avoid conflicts.
