253 Area Code

The 253 area code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and serves the southwestern region of Washington State, USA, including parts of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area. Established in 1997 as a split from area code 206, it was created to accommodate growing demand for telephone numbers in the rapidly expanding region. The 253 area code serves urban, suburban, and industrial areas in Pierce County and surrounding communities.

Understanding the 253 Area Code

The 253 area code covers southwestern Washington, including cities such as Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Federal Way, and Gig Harbor. It is an essential area code for residential, commercial, and government communications. 10-digit dialing is mandatory due to the region's overlay plans and number allocation rules.

253 Area Code Map and Geographic Location

The 253 area code map spans southwestern Washington, primarily covering Pierce County and portions of King and Thurston counties. It includes urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, industrial areas, and coastal regions along Puget Sound. The 253 area code is located in the Pacific Time Zone.

All Major Cities and Regions in the 253 Area Code

  • Tacoma
  • Lakewood
  • Puyallup
  • Federal Way
  • Gig Harbor
  • Spanaway
  • Auburn (partial)
  • Bonney Lake
  • Sumner

Counties Covered by the 253 Area Code

  • Pierce County
  • Part of King County
  • Part of Thurston County

ZIP Codes within the 253 Telephone Zone (Examples)

  • 98402 - Tacoma
  • 98499 - Lakewood
  • 98372 - Puyallup
  • 98003 - Federal Way
  • 98335 - Gig Harbor
  • 98387 - Spanaway
  • 98001 - Auburn (partial)
  • 98391 - Bonney Lake
  • 98390 - Sumner

Time Zone

The 253 area code is located in the Pacific Time Zone (PT), observing Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) in winter and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) during daylight saving time.

Dialing, Phone & Service Details

  • Local dialing: 10-digit dialing is required for all local calls.
  • Long-distance calls within the USA: Dial 1 + 253 + 7-digit number.
  • International calls: Dial your country�s exit code + 1 + 253 + 7-digit number.
  • Services: 253 area code is used for landlines, mobile phones, VoIP, and business communications.

Why the 253 Area Code Matters

The 253 area code connects the southwestern Washington communities, including Tacoma and surrounding cities. It supports commerce, education, residential communication, and local government operations, playing a critical role in the region�s telecommunications infrastructure.

What area code is 253? / Where's area code 253?

What area code is 253? � 253 is the telephone area code for southwestern Washington, covering Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Federal Way, and Gig Harbor.

Where's area code 253? � It is located in southwestern Washington State, USA, primarily covering Pierce County and parts of King and Thurston counties.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about 253 Area Code

What is the 253 area code?

253 serves southwestern Washington, including major cities like Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and Federal Way.

When was the 253 area code created?

It was established in 1997 as a split from the 206 area code.

Where is area code 253 located?

It is located in southwestern Washington State, USA, covering Pierce County and parts of King and Thurston counties.

What time zone is 253 in?

The 253 area code is in the Pacific Time Zone (PST/PDT).

Which counties are included in 253?

Pierce County, part of King County, and part of Thurston County.

253 Area Code