Area code 826 covers Roanoke and surrounding areas in Virginia. It was activated in 2022 as an overlay of area code 540. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 540. For the full picture, see all Virginia area codes.
| State | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Roanoke |
| Cities also served | Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, Winchester, Fredericksburg, Staunton, Salem, Waynesboro |
| Time zone | Eastern (UTC-5 / UTC-4 DST) |
| Year established | June 14, 2022 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 540 |
| Overlay codes | 540 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 826
Area code 826 serves Western and northern Virginia, including the Shenandoah Valley, the Roanoke metropolitan area, parts of the New River Valley, and the northern Virginia fringe of the Washington metropolitan area, including the following cities and communities:
- Roanoke
- Harrisonburg
- Blacksburg
- Winchester
- Fredericksburg
- Staunton
- Salem
- Waynesboro
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 276, 434, 571, 703, 757, 804, 948.
How to Get a 826 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 826 area code, each suited to a different need:
Ready to Get a 826 Number?
One-time fee. No monthly charges. Port to any carrier in 3–5 business days. NYC's most trusted source since 2009.
Browse 826 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 826 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 826 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 826 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 826 number. If you already have a 826 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 Virginia sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 826 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 826 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 826 numbers for Roanoke, Virginia — 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 826 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 826 area code still in use?
Yes. 826 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Western and northern Virginia, including the Shenandoah Valley, the Roanoke metropolitan area, parts of the New River Valley, and the northern Virginia fringe of the Washington metropolitan area.
What is the difference between 826 and 540?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Virginia. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
What is the parent area code of 826?
Area code 826 is an overlay of 540. Both codes serve the same region of Virginia.
Can I get a 826 number if I don't live in Virginia?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 826 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 826 a scam area code?
No. 826 is a legitimate, active area code for Western and northern Virginia, including the Shenandoah Valley, the Roanoke metropolitan area, parts of the New River Valley, and the northern Virginia fringe of the Washington metropolitan area. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 826 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Virginia businesses, government offices, and residents.
What is the 826 area code?
Area code 826 is a Virginia telephone area code that serves the same geographic region as area code 540, covering western and northern Virginia including Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, Winchester, and Fredericksburg. It launched on June 14, 2022.
Is 826 an overlay of 540?
Yes. Area code 826 is a full overlay of area code 540. Both codes serve the identical geographic footprint. Because of this overlay, ten-digit dialing is required for all local calls in the region.
Why was area code 826 created?
The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved 826 as an overlay because the 540 area code was projected to exhaust its available numbers by 2022. Rather than splitting the territory, regulators chose an overlay to avoid forcing existing customers to change their numbers.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in the 826 area code?
Yes. Because 826 overlays 540, all calls within the region — even purely local ones — require the full ten-digit area code plus number format.
