256 Area Code
Covers Huntsville and nearby communities in Alabama.
(256) 555-0142Area code 256 map
Interactive coverage map for area code 256, centered on Huntsville, Alabama
34.7304, -86.5861
Open in OpenStreetMapArea code 256 coverage map — centered on Huntsville. Shaded area shows the approximate reach around the primary city.
256 is the area code for Huntsville and the surrounding part of Alabama. It reaches roughly 328,000 people across places such as Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Florence and more. The region observes Central time, so a number like (256) 555-0142 is on that clock right now. On the ground it spans Madison, Morgan, Limestone and nearby counties. It shares its territory with the overlay code 938, which sit on the exact same map. Because the 256 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 Huntsville, a map of the 256 coverage area, the places it reaches, nearby and overlay codes, and how to tell a real 256 call from a scam.
Cities covered by 256
Cities & neighborhoods
- Huntsville
- Decatur
- Madison
- Florence
- Anniston
- Gadsden
Counties
- Madison
- Morgan
- Limestone
- Lauderdale
- Calhoun
- Etowah
Looking for the broader picture? See all Alabama area codes.
Nearby & overlay area codes
Overlay codes (same area)
These share 256’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 256 a scam?
Area code 256 serves Huntsville and the surrounding area, so most calls are ordinary local and business traffic. As everywhere, spam and robocalls do use 256 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 256 number from abroad
Every 256 number is a US/Canada +1 number. From a mobile anywhere, the simplest approach is to dial it in international format:
+1 256 555-0142If 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 1 256 555-0142 - Australia
0011 1 256 555-0142 - Japan
010 1 256 555-0142 - Mexico
00 1 256 555-0142
Within the US and Canada you don’t need any of this — just dial the ten digits 256 555-0142.
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 256: frequently asked questions
Where is the 256 area code located?
The 256 area code is located in Alabama, centered on Huntsville. It covers Madison, Morgan, Limestone, Lauderdale, Calhoun, Etowah and nearby communities including Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Florence, Anniston, Gadsden.
What time zone is 256 in?
Area code 256 is in the Central time zone (UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)). You can see the exact current local time for Huntsville on the live clock above.
What cities use area code 256?
Cities and areas that use 256 include Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, Florence, Anniston, Gadsden. Its primary city is Huntsville, AL.
Do I need to dial 1 before 256?
For calls within the US, you do not need to dial a leading 1, but you do need all ten digits: 256 plus the seven-digit number. The 256 area requires ten-digit dialing because more than one area code serves it.
Is 256 a toll-free or scam number?
No — 256 is a normal geographic area code for Huntsville, not a toll-free code (toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888). A 256 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 256?
Area code 256 is overlaid by 938, meaning those codes cover the same geographic area.