Area Code 256
Area code 256 covers Huntsville and nearby cities including Decatur, Madison, Florence in Alabama, in the Central Time.
Area code 256 quick facts
| Location | Huntsville, Alabama |
|---|---|
| Time zone | Central Time |
| In service | 1998-03-23 |
| Overlay codes | 938 |
| Nearby codes | 938, 205, 659, 931, 615, 629 |
| Carrier coverage | 784 prefixes; 39% wireless |
| FTC complaint data | 335 complaints across 68 numbers |
| Data current as of | August 2, 2026 |
Is a call from 256 a scam? Who called me from 256?
FTC complaints involving 256 numbers
Numbers shown with area code 256 in the FTC's Do Not Call “Reported Calls” database (recent reporting window). Most common reported reasons: “Other”, “Dropped call or no message”, “Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends”.
Most-complained 256 numbers:
- (256) 274-0005 — 34 complaints
- (256) 645-8028 — 15 complaints
- (256) 583-9911 — 13 complaints
- (256) 502-4285 — 10 complaints
- (256) 695-1701 — 8 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 256
Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Florence, Anniston, Gadsden
Area codes by city
Carriers in area code 256
Area code 256 spans 784 prefixes, about 39% wireless. Top carriers: NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC - GA, ONVOY, LLC - AL, BELLSOUTH TELECOMM INC DBA SOUTH CENTRAL BELL TEL, CELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - AL. Look up the carrier and line type for a 256 number.
Other Alabama area codes
Nearby area codes
Frequently asked questions
Where is area code 256?
Area code 256 covers Huntsville and nearby cities including Decatur, Madison, Florence in Alabama, in the Central Time.
What cities use area code 256?
Area code 256 serves Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Florence, Anniston, and 1 other communities in Alabama.
What time zone is area code 256 in?
Area code 256 is in the Central Time (America/Chicago).
How do you dial a 256 number?
Dial all 10 digits: 256 followed by the 7-digit local number. From abroad, dial +1 256 and the local number.
Is a call from area code 256 a scam?
A 256 number is geographically tied to Alabama, 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 256 a country code?
No. 256 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 256 number written for international dialing looks like +1 256 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.