Area code 938 covers Huntsville and surrounding areas in Alabama. It was activated in 2010 as an overlay of area code 256. For the full picture, see all Alabama area codes.
| State | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Huntsville |
| Cities also served | Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Madison, Gadsden, Athens, Albertville |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | July 10, 2010 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 256 |
| Overlay codes | 256 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
Cities Served by Area Code 938
Area code 938 serves Northern and northeastern Alabama, including the Tennessee Valley and the Huntsville metropolitan area, including the following cities and communities:
- Huntsville
- Decatur
- Florence
- Madison
- Gadsden
- Athens
- Albertville
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 256.
How to Get a 938 Phone Number
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 938 area code, each suited to a different need:
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Browse 938 Numbers →- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 938 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 938 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 938 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 938 number. If you already have a 938 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 Alabama sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 938 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 938 area code still in use?
Yes. 938 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Northern and northeastern Alabama, including the Tennessee Valley and the Huntsville metropolitan area.
What is the difference between 938 and 256?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Alabama. 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 938?
Area code 938 is an overlay of 256. Both codes serve the same region of Alabama.
Can I get a 938 number if I don't live in Alabama?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 938 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 938 a scam area code?
No. 938 is a legitimate, active area code for Northern and northeastern Alabama, including the Tennessee Valley and the Huntsville metropolitan area. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 938 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Alabama businesses, government offices, and residents.
What is the 938 area code?
Area code 938 is a telephone area code serving northern and northeastern Alabama, including Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, and Madison. It was put into service on July 10, 2010.
Is 938 an overlay of 256?
Yes. Area code 938 is a full overlay of area code 256, meaning both codes cover the exact same geographic footprint in northern Alabama. All local calls in the region require ten-digit dialing.
Why was the 938 area code created?
938 was introduced to relieve numbering exhaustion in the 256 area code, which was running low on available numbers due to population growth and increased demand for phone lines across the Tennessee Valley region.
What time zone is the 938 area code in?
The 938 area code is in the Central Time Zone — UTC-6 during standard time and UTC-5 during daylight saving time.
Related Reading
- How Are Area Codes Assigned?
- Why the Right Area Code Matters
- When Did We Start Using Area Codes?
- How Many Area Codes Are In the US?
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