256 Area Code
Northern Alabama, Alabama
Area code 256 is located in Northern Alabama, Alabama. It covers Huntsville, Decatur, and surrounding areas in the Central time zone (UTC-6). Administered by NANPA.
Where is area code 256?
Area code 256 is located in Northern Alabama, Alabama. It covers Huntsville, Decatur, and surrounding areas in the Central time zone (UTC-6).
Area code 256 is overlaid by area code 938. Both codes serve the same geographic region and require 10-digit dialing for local calls.
Cities Covered by Area Code 256
Area code 256 primarily serves the Northern Alabama area of Alabama. The exact coverage includes Huntsville, Decatur, and Florence, along with surrounding communities and suburbs.
Time Zone
Central Time — UTC-6
Area code 256 operates in the Central Time Zone. When calling 256 numbers from a different time zone, be sure to account for the time difference to reach people during business hours.
About Area Code 256
Area code 256 was introduced in 1995 as a geographic area code serving Northern Alabama, Alabama. As demand for phone numbers grew, overlay code 938 was added to the same region, requiring 10-digit dialing for local calls. Area codes are administered by NANPA (North American Numbering Plan Administration), the organization responsible for managing phone number resources in the US and Canada.