The 276 area code serves southwestern Virginia, covering Bristol, Abingdon, and the Appalachian highlands near the Tennessee border. Created in 2001 in a split from the 540 code, it is a geographic area code for the mountainous far southwest of the state. If a 276 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 276 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 276 |
| State | Virginia (VA) |
| Major Cities | Bristol, Abingdon, Wytheville, Martinsville |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | None (standalone) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 276 covers the far southwestern corner of Virginia, including the counties around Bristol, Abingdon, and Wytheville in the Appalachian Mountains along the Tennessee and Kentucky borders.
- Bristol – a city on the Virginia-Tennessee state line, known for country music
- Abingdon – a historic town in the Blue Ridge highlands
- Wytheville & Martinsville – southwestern Virginia hubs
- Galax & Big Stone Gap – Appalachian mountain communities
From Appalachian music heritage to coal country and mountain towns, a 276 number is closely tied to the identity of southwestern Virginia.
A Brief History of Area Code 276
Area code 276 was created in 2001 in a split from the 540 code, taking the far southwestern counties of Virginia. Because it serves a largely rural, mountainous region, 276 has never required an overlay and still covers its territory on a single area code.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 276 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 276
Because 276 has no overlay, both 7-digit and 10-digit local dialing have historically worked, but 10-digit dialing is now the recommended standard across the United States.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 276-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-276-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 276 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 276 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 276 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 276 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 276 is a legitimate Virginia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 276, 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 impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Appalachian Power disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 276 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 Virginia
Area code 276 shares and borders several other codes:
- 540 & 826 – Roanoke and western Virginia to the northeast, from which 276 split (see our 540 area code guide)
- 434 – Danville and south-central Virginia to the east (see our 434 area code guide)
- 423 – neighboring eastern Tennessee (Bristol, TN) across the state line
- 804 & 686 – the Richmond area far to the east (see our 804 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Virginia 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 Virginia:
- Maryland – area code 410
- North Carolina – area code 704
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Kentucky – area code 502
- West Virginia – area code 304
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 276
Where is the 276 area code located?
Area code 276 covers southwestern Virginia, including Bristol, Abingdon, Wytheville, and Martinsville. It operates on Eastern Time.
Does the 276 area code have an overlay?
No. Because it serves a largely rural, mountainous region, 276 has never needed an overlay and still covers its entire territory on a single area code.
Is 276 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 276 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout southwestern Virginia.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 276 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 276 Guides
- Is a 276 call safe? Read Is area code 276 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.