The 253 area code serves Tacoma and the South Puget Sound in Washington, covering Pierce County and the southern King County suburbs. Created in 1997 in a split from Seattle’s 206 code, it is now overlaid across western Washington by area code 564. If a 253 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 253 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 253 |
| State | Washington (WA) |
| Major Cities | Tacoma, Federal Way, Puyallup, Lakewood |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 564 (western WA overlay) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 253 covers the South Sound region of western Washington, including Tacoma and Pierce County along with the southern suburbs of King County.
- Tacoma – the largest city in the South Sound and a major port
- Federal Way & Kent – populous south King County suburbs
- Puyallup & Lakewood – Pierce County cities
- Auburn & University Place – established South Sound communities
From the Port of Tacoma to Mount Rainier’s foothills, a 253 number is closely tied to the identity of the South Puget Sound.
A Brief History of Area Code 253
Area code 253 was created in 1997 in a split from the 206 code, taking Tacoma and the South Sound. In 2017, the 564 overlay was added across all of western Washington, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 253 area code use Pacific Time (PT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from PST (UTC-8) to PDT (UTC-7) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 253
Because 253 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 253-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-253-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 253 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 253 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 253 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 253 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 253 is a legitimate Washington area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 253, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government & military impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS, SSA, or VA targeting the Joint Base Lewis-McChord community |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Tacoma Power or Puget Sound Energy disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 253 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in Washington
Area code 253 shares and borders several other Washington codes:
- 564 – the western Washington overlay that shares the region with 253 (see our 564 area code guide)
- 206 – Seattle to the north, from which 253 split (see our 206 area code guide)
- 425 – the Seattle Eastside and Everett to the northeast (see our 425 area code guide)
- 360 – outer western Washington (Olympia) to the south (see our 360 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Washington area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Washington:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 253
Where is the 253 area code located?
Area code 253 covers Tacoma and the South Puget Sound in Washington, including Federal Way, Puyallup, and Lakewood. It operates on Pacific Time and is overlaid by area code 564.
What is the difference between 253 and 564?
253 is the geographic code for the South Sound, while 564 is a western Washington overlay that covers the same area to supply more phone numbers.
Is 253 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 253 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the South Sound.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 253 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 253 Guides
- Is a 253 call safe? Read Is area code 253 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Tacoma area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.