What time zone is area code 253 in?

Area code 253 uses Pacific Time.

Is a call from area code 253 a scam?

The area code alone doesn’t tell you. Most calls from 253 are ordinary local calls, but scammers can fake (“spoof”) any number. If you don’t recognize a 253 number, let it go to voicemail.

When did area code 253 start?

253 went into service in 1997. It was created from area code 206.

Can a 253 number be outside Washington?

Yes. People keep their numbers when they move and when they switch to mobile or internet phone services, so a 253 caller can be anywhere.

Area code 253

Where is area code 253?

Tacoma, Auburn and Fife, Washington

Local time: … (Pacific Time)

State	Washington
Country	United States
Main cities	Tacoma, Auburn and Fife
Time zone	Pacific Time
Overlay area codes	None
In service since	1997 (created from 206)
Assigned prefixes	508
Dialing format	(253) XXX-XXXX · +1 253 XXX XXXX from abroad

Look up a 253 number

Cities and towns in area code 253

Listed by how many phone prefixes (the 3 digits after the area code) are assigned to each place in 253.

Tacoma, WA (223)
Auburn, WA (82)
Fife, WA (51)
Kent, WA (44)
Puyallup, WA (27)
Federal Way, WA (23)
Gig Harbor, WA (19)
Bonney Lake, WA (14)
Graham, WA (13)
Lakewood, WA (5)
Roy, WA (5)
Fox Island, WA (1)
Sumner, WA (1)

Phone companies in area code 253

The carriers that hold the most 253 prefixes. People can move their number to another carrier, so this shows who first issued a number, not who serves it today.

Prefixes	Carrier
141	Qwest (Lumen)
77	T-Mobile USA
49	Onvoy
48	Verizon Wireless
35	New Cingular Wireless PCS (AT&T)
30	Allstream
29	Level 3 Communications
19	Mcimetro Access Transmission Services

All 508 prefixes in area code 253

Pick the 3 digits after the area code to see that prefix’s city and carrier.

Questions

Where is area code 253?: Area code 253 is in Washington. It serves Tacoma, Auburn, Fife, Kent and Puyallup and 8 other cities and towns.
What time zone is area code 253 in?: Area code 253 uses Pacific Time.
Is a call from area code 253 a scam?: The area code alone doesn’t tell you. Most calls from 253 are ordinary local calls, but scammers can fake (“spoof”) any number. If you don’t recognize a 253 number, let it go to voicemail.
When did area code 253 start?: 253 went into service in 1997. It was created from area code 206.
Can a 253 number be outside Washington?: Yes. People keep their numbers when they move and when they switch to mobile or internet phone services, so a 253 caller can be anywhere.

Other area codes in Washington

Area code	Main cities
206	Seattle, Bainbridge Isle and Shoreline
360	Vancouver, Olympia and Bellingham
425	Bellevue, Everett and Redmond
509	Spokane, Yakima and Kennewick
564	Bremerton, Vancouver and Olympia