205 Area Code
Covers Birmingham and nearby communities in Alabama.
(205) 555-0142Area code 205 map
Interactive coverage map for area code 205, centered on Birmingham, Alabama
33.5207, -86.8025
Open in OpenStreetMapArea code 205 coverage map — centered on Birmingham. Shaded area shows the approximate reach around the primary city.
205 is the area code for Birmingham and the surrounding part of Alabama. It reaches roughly 392,000 people across places such as Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Alabaster and more. The region observes Central time, so a number like (205) 555-0142 is on that clock right now. On the ground it spans Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Shelby. It shares its territory with the overlay code 659, which sit on the exact same map. Because the 205 region uses more than one area code, you must dial all ten digits — area code included — even for a local call. You do not, however, need to dial a leading 1 for calls within the US and Canada. Keep reading for the current local time in Birmingham, a map of the 205 coverage area, the places it reaches, nearby and overlay codes, and how to tell a real 205 call from a scam.
Cities covered by 205
Cities & neighborhoods
- Birmingham
- Tuscaloosa
- Hoover
- Alabaster
- Bessemer
- Center Point
- Homewood
- Mountain Brook
- Vestavia Hills
Nearby & overlay area codes
Overlay codes (same area)
These share 205’s geography — a number in either code can be on the same street.
Neighboring codes
Codes for adjacent regions and metros.
Is a call from 205 a scam?
Area code 205 serves Birmingham and the surrounding area, so most calls are ordinary local and business traffic. As everywhere, spam and robocalls do use 205 numbers, frequently by spoofing a local-looking caller ID to boost pickup rates. The area code itself tells you nothing about who is really calling, so judge the call by what's said, not the number.
Red flags to watch for
- Pressure to act right now, or threats of arrest, fines, or service being cut off.
- Requests to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, crypto, or a payment app.
- Asking for passwords, one-time codes, your SSN, or full card/bank numbers.
- A robocall or recording, or a number that won’t let you call back.
When unsure, hang up and call the organization back on a number you look up yourself.
Calling a 205 number from abroad
Every 205 number is a US/Canada +1 number. From a mobile anywhere, the simplest approach is to dial it in international format:
+1 205 555-0142If your phone can’t dial the +, replace it with your country’s exit code, then 1, then the number:
- UK, Germany, France & most of Europe
00 1 205 555-0142 - Australia
0011 1 205 555-0142 - Japan
010 1 205 555-0142 - Mexico
00 1 205 555-0142
Within the US and Canada you don’t need any of this — just dial the ten digits 205 555-0142.
Reverse phone lookup
Check any US or Canada number to see whether it's a working line, which carrier it sits on, whether it's mobile, landline or VoIP, and roughly where it's registered.
Shows carrier, line type and location. Owner name isn't available here.
Results are for personal, informational use only and may not be used for employment, credit, housing or tenant-screening decisions.
Area code 205: frequently asked questions
Where is the 205 area code located?
The 205 area code is located in Alabama, centered on Birmingham. It covers Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Shelby and nearby communities including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Alabaster, Bessemer, Center Point.
What time zone is 205 in?
Area code 205 is in the Central time zone (UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)). You can see the exact current local time for Birmingham on the live clock above.
What cities use area code 205?
Cities and areas that use 205 include Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Alabaster, Bessemer, Center Point. Its primary city is Birmingham, AL.
Do I need to dial 1 before 205?
For calls within the US, you do not need to dial a leading 1, but you do need all ten digits: 205 plus the seven-digit number. The 205 area requires ten-digit dialing because more than one area code serves it.
Is 205 a toll-free or scam number?
No — 205 is a normal geographic area code for Birmingham, not a toll-free code (toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888). A 205 number is not inherently a scam, but the code can be spoofed. See the spam-call section above for how to tell.
What are the overlay area codes for 205?
Area code 205 is overlaid by 659, meaning those codes cover the same geographic area.