The largest city in the Pacific Northwest and a global technology capital home to Amazon and Starbucks, Seattle sits on Puget Sound between the mountains and the sea. It is covered by the iconic 206 code and Washington’s statewide 564 overlay. This guide breaks down Seattle’s area codes, the required 10-digit dialing, major ZIP codes, and the scam calls residents should watch for.
Seattle Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code(s) | 206 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 564 (statewide) |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) – PST / PDT |
| Major County | King County |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Area Code Breakdown & District Mapping
206 – Seattle’s Core Code
Area code 206 is one of the original 1947 codes and is inseparable from Seattle’s identity. Once covering all of western Washington, it was progressively split down to the city of Seattle and its closest neighbors, including Vashon Island and parts of the inner suburbs in King County.
564 – Washington Statewide Overlay
Area code 564 is Washington’s statewide overlay, introduced in 2017 to add numbering capacity across the entire state. In Seattle it overlays 206, so new lines may be issued a 564 number that is fully local to existing 206 numbers.
Neighborhoods & Local Coverage
Seattle’s 206 code covers a city of hills and water. Downtown — anchored by Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and the skyscrapers of the financial district — connects to the tech towers of South Lake Union and the nightlife of Belltown and Capitol Hill. The Space Needle presides over the Seattle Center just to the north.
The same codes reach the canal-side neighborhoods of Ballard and Fremont, the stately homes of Queen Anne, the University District around the University of Washington, and the eclectic communities of West Seattle, Georgetown, and Columbia City to the south. Together, 206 and the 564 overlay keep the whole city connected.
Local Dialing Rules & the Statewide 564 Overlay
Seattle and all of Washington have required 10-digit dialing for years — always dial the area code plus the 7-digit number. The city core uses 206, while the statewide 564 overlay adds new numbers across the same territory.
Washington’s 564 code is unusual: rather than overlaying a single region, it is a statewide overlay introduced in 2017 to add capacity across every existing Washington area code. That means a 564 number can be based anywhere in the state, and 10-digit dialing is mandatory everywhere in Washington.
To call Seattle from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then the U.S. country code +1, followed by the 10-digit number (for example, +1 206 XXX-XXXX). From inside the U.S. and Canada, simply dial 1 before the 10-digit number for long-distance calls.
Major ZIP Codes Covered
The 206 service area spans many of Seattle’s core ZIP codes, including 98101, 98102, 98103, 98104, 98105, 98107, 98109, 98115, 98116, and 98122.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Seattle
Seattle residents report heavy volumes of neighbor-spoofing robocalls faking a local 206 prefix. Common scams impersonate Seattle City Light (utility shutoff), the IRS, and tech-support lines, along with fake package-delivery texts.
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Neighbor Spoofing | Calls that mimic a local 206 prefix to look familiar. |
| Utility / Toll Scams | Threats to shut off power or demand toll payment via gift cards. |
| IRS / Government | Robocalls claiming legal action — agencies never call to demand instant payment. |
Red flag: Any caller who pressures you to pay immediately with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency is almost certainly running a scam. Hang up and verify through an official number.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State for every code across the country.
Nearby & Related Washington Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is Seattle, WA?
Seattle’s primary area code is 206, in service since 1947, overlaid by the statewide 564 code.
Is 564 a Seattle area code?
564 is a statewide Washington overlay, so it applies to Seattle along with the rest of the state. New Seattle lines may receive a 564 number alongside 206.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in Seattle?
Yes. All local calls in Seattle and throughout Washington require 10-digit dialing.
What time zone is Seattle in?
Seattle observes Pacific Time (PST/PDT), the same as the rest of Washington.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.