Alabama Area Code Information

Alabama Area Codes


Alabama Area Code Overlays
(256 and 938) - (205 and 659)


Alabama is currently using six area codes.

Area code 205 originally covered all of Alabama when it was established in 1947. It was not until 1995 that Alabama experienced sufficient growth in population and telephone use to need an additional area code. It was at that time that area code 205 was split to form area code 334.

After the split area code 205 covered central and western Alabama which included Birmingham and Tuscaloosa while 334 covered southeastern Alabama which included Auburn, Opelika, Montgomery and Selma.

Alabama has two area code overlays in use at this time. Area code 938 was implemented on 7/10/2010 to serve as an overlay of area code 256. Area code 659, was implemented on 11/12/2019 as an overlay of area code 205.

Changes and History of Alabama Area Codes:

01/01/1947
Area code 205 was put into service. Area code 205 has been split 2 times. In 1995 area code 205 was split to form area code 334. In 1998 area code 205 was split to form area code 256.

01/15/1995
Area code 334 was put into service. Area code 334 was created from a split of area code 205. In 2001 area code 334 was split to form area code 251.

03/23/1998
Area code 256 was put into service. Area code 256 was created from a split of area code 205.

06/18/2001
Area code 251 was put into service. Area code 251 was created from a split of area code 334.

07/10/2010
Area code 938 was put into service as an overlay of area code 256.

11/12/2019
Area code 659 was put into service as an overlay of area code 205.

Alabama Area Code Map