Area Code 253
Area code 253 covers Tacoma and nearby cities including Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood in Washington, in the Pacific Time.
Area code 253 quick facts
| Location | Tacoma, Washington |
|---|---|
| Time zone | Pacific Time |
| In service | 1997-04-27 |
| Nearby codes | 360, 206, 564, 425, 503, 971 |
| Carrier coverage | 509 prefixes; 49% wireless |
| FTC complaint data | 282 complaints across 70 numbers |
| Data current as of | August 2, 2026 |
Is a call from 253 a scam? Who called me from 253?
FTC complaints involving 253 numbers
Numbers shown with area code 253 in the FTC's Do Not Call “Reported Calls” database (recent reporting window). Most common reported reasons: “Other”, “Dropped call or no message”, “No Subject Provided”.
Most-complained 253 numbers:
- (253) 200-1944 — 13 complaints
- (253) 527-5931 — 9 complaints
- (253) 366-7606 — 8 complaints
- (253) 237-1168 — 8 complaints
- (253) 642-8009 — 7 complaints
These are FTC Do Not Call complaints filed about specific numbers shown with this area code — frequently spoofed. The area code itself is not a scam. See the most-reported area codes and the most-reported phone numbers nationwide.
Cities in area code 253
Tacoma, Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood, Puyallup, East Hill-Meridian, Parkland, South Hill, Spanaway, University Place
Area codes by city
Carriers in area code 253
Area code 253 spans 509 prefixes, about 49% wireless. Top carriers: T-MOBILE USA, INC., CELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - WA, ONVOY, LLC - WA, QWEST CORPORATION. Look up the carrier and line type for a 253 number.
Other Washington area codes
Nearby area codes
Frequently asked questions
Where is area code 253?
Area code 253 covers Tacoma and nearby cities including Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood in Washington, in the Pacific Time.
What cities use area code 253?
Area code 253 serves Tacoma, Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood, Puyallup, and 5 other communities in Washington.
What time zone is area code 253 in?
Area code 253 is in the Pacific Time (America/Los_Angeles).
How do you dial a 253 number?
Dial all 10 digits: 253 followed by the 7-digit local number. From abroad, dial +1 253 and the local number.
Is a call from area code 253 a scam?
A 253 number is geographically tied to Washington, but caller ID can be spoofed, so the displayed area code does not prove where a caller really is. If you did not expect the call, do not share personal information and consider looking the number up.
Is 253 a country code?
No. 253 is a US area code (a domestic 3-digit code), not a country code. The country (calling) code for the United States is +1, shared across the North American Numbering Plan. So a full 253 number written for international dialing looks like +1 253 followed by the 7-digit local number.
Sourced from the official NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administrator) numbering database, current as of August 2, 2026. Refreshed monthly.