The search query “253 area code” is a highly common geographical inquiry, as 253 is a key identifier for the Southern Puget Sound region of Washington State.
The 253 area code is a geographic area code located in Western Washington, serving the greater Tacoma metropolitan area. It covers cities and communities south of Seattle, including Tacoma, Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, and Puyallup. The 253 area code is part of a multi-area code overlay region that includes 206, 425, 360, and the new 564 area code, which requires mandatory 10-digit dialing for all local calls.
This article details the location, major cities, time zone, and the essential dialing rules for the 253 area code.
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Location and Geographic Coverage
The 253 area code serves the “South Sound” region, a vibrant area known for its military, industrial, and technology sectors.
Primary Location and Time Zone
- State: Washington (WA), United States.
- Time Zone: Pacific Time Zone (PT). This includes Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during the summer.
Major Cities and Counties Covered
The 253 area code was created in a split from the original 206 area code in 1997, reserving it for the area centered around the Port of Tacoma. Key locations include:
- Tacoma: The largest city and economic center of Pierce County.
- Federal Way: A large suburb with commercial hubs.
- Auburn & Kent: Cities in southern King County.
- Puyallup
- Lakewood
- Counties: It covers most of Pierce County, and the southern portions of King County and Kitsap County.
- The Western Washington Overlay and 10-Digit Dialing
The entire Western Washington region is part of a large multi-area code overlay, leading to mandatory 10-digit dialing across Seattle and the surrounding metro areas.
The 564 Overlay
- New Code: Area code 564 was approved as an overlay for all of Western Washington, including the 206, 425, 360, and 253 areas. This was done to ensure a continuous supply of phone numbers across the rapidly growing Puget Sound region.
- Status: The 564 code will be assigned to new phone lines and services in the 253 area as existing number blocks are exhausted.
Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing
Because the 253 area code is part of this multi-area code region, 10-digit dialing became mandatory for all calls (even local ones) starting in July 2017.
- Rule: You must dial the full Area Code + 7-Digit Local Number for every local call.
- Example: Calling a number in Tacoma (253) from a mobile phone in Federal Way (also 253) requires dialing 253-XXX-XXXX.
- Communication and Identity
The 253 code is strongly identified with the Tacoma metro area, distinct from the codes used by the Northern Seattle and Eastside regions (206 and 425).
- Local Identity: For local businesses, acquiring a 253 number helps establish immediate local credibility with customers in Pierce County and the South Sound area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time difference for the 253 area code?
The 253 area code is on Pacific Time (PT). During standard time (PST), it is three hours behind the East Coast (EST). During daylight saving time (PDT), it is also three hours behind the East Coast (EDT).
What other area codes border the 253 area code?
The 253 area code borders the following Western Washington codes:
- 206: Seattle and surrounding areas.
- 425: Bellevue, Redmond, and the Eastside suburbs.
- 360: The wide, non-metro area that circles the Puget Sound, including Olympia.
Why was the 253 area code created?
The 253 area code was created in 1997 through a geographic split of the original 206 area code (which initially covered all of Western Washington). This split was necessary to handle the explosion of demand for new phone numbers in the mid-1990s due to the rise of cell phones, fax machines, and pagers.
