The 256 area code serves northern Alabama, anchored by Huntsville – the state’s largest city and a global center of aerospace and defense. Created in 1998 when it split from 205, 256 covers the Tennessee Valley and the surrounding northern counties, and shares its footprint with the 938 overlay.
Quick Summary of the 256 Area Code
| Area Code | 256 |
| State | Alabama (AL) |
| Region | Northern Alabama (Huntsville & Decatur) |
| Major Cities | Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Madison, Anniston, Gadsden, Athens, Albertville |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 256 area code covers northern Alabama, including Huntsville and its fast-growing suburb Madison, Decatur and Athens in the Tennessee Valley, Florence in the Shoals region to the northwest, and Anniston, Gadsden, and Albertville to the east and southeast. It borders Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia across the top of the state.
Time Zone
The 256 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. All of Alabama is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 256 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 256 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 256 Number
Because area code 256 operates as part of an overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for every local and long-distance call. You must dial the full 10-digit number (256 + the seven-digit line number) even when calling a neighbor across the street. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 256, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 256 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 256 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Madison, Anniston, Gadsden, Athens, Albertville should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers impersonating the IRS and threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Huntsville Utilities callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Federal Job / Clearance Scam | Fake defense-contractor or government hiring calls targeting Huntsville job seekers for personal data. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 256 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (Alabama Power or Huntsville Utilities) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 256 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 256 Region
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Area code 256 was created in 1998, split from 205, to serve northern Alabama; as the region boomed, the 938 overlay was added in 2010 across the same territory. The regional economy is dominated by Huntsville, nicknamed the “Rocket City,” home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal, and Cummings Research Park – one of the largest research parks in the country – making aerospace, defense, and technology the driving industries. Decatur adds heavy manufacturing along the Tennessee River, the Shoals region around Florence is famous for its Muscle Shoals music heritage, and Gadsden and Anniston anchor the eastern part of the region.
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Looking Up a 256 Number
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To identify a 256 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, defense contractors, and government offices across northern Alabama publish their 256 numbers, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Alabama is served by several area codes. If you are researching 256, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 938 – Northern Alabama overlay (same region)
- 205 – Central AL / Birmingham
- 659 – Central AL overlay
- 334 – Central & Southeastern AL / Montgomery
You can also browse our full directory of Alabama area codes for more regional guides.
↑ 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 Alabama:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 256 area code located?
The 256 area code covers northern Alabama, including Huntsville, Decatur, Florence, Madison, Anniston, Gadsden, Athens, and Albertville.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 256?
Yes. Because 256 shares an overlay with the 938 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 256 area code in?
The 256 area code is in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT), like all of Alabama.
Is 256 the same area as 938?
Yes. 938 is an overlay of 256, so both codes serve the exact same northern-Alabama region.
Related 256 Guides
- Is a 256 call safe? Read Is area code 256 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Huntsville area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.