Where is area code 253 located and what state is area code 253?

Area code 253 is located in Washington (United States), covering major cities and regions including Tacoma, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood, Burien, Puyallup, University Place, Seatac, Des Moines.

How to call area code 253 and do I need to dial area code 253?

To dial a number in area code 253, format your call as +1 (253) XXX-XXXX. Mandatory 10-digit dialing is required in overlay regions.

Is area code 253 a scam, spam, or dangerous call?

Area code 253 is a legitimate geographic area code for Washington. However, scammers frequently spoof numbers from any area code, so exercise caution with unknown callers.

North American Area CodePacific Time Zone

Area Code 253 Location & Details

Q: What timezone is area code 253?

Area code 253 operates on the Pacific timezone.

State / Region: Washington • Country: United States

Major Cities Covered: Tacoma, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood, Burien, Puyallup, University Place, Seatac, Des Moines

Standard Dial Format

+1 (253) XXX-XXXX

Country Code: +1 (NANP Format)

What State is Area Code 253?

WashingtonState Hub →

Country Territory

United States

253 Area Code Time Zone

Pacific

253 Overlay Codes

No Overlays

Area Code 253 Geographic Map

Interactive location bounds and coverage area for Washington (Pacific Timezone)

Lat: 47.27° • Lng: -122.38°

📍 Geographic Center: WashingtonMap data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Where is Area Code 253 Located?

Telephone area code 253 is assigned to Washington in United States. It serves cities and metropolitan communities including Tacoma, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood, Burien, Puyallup, University Place, Seatac, Des Moines.

Historical Context & Area Code Overlay Information:253 serves Washington (United States).

For local and long-distance calls within area code 253, standard 10-digit dialing (253) XXX-XXXX applies.

Who Called Me from Area Code 253?

Received an unknown call, missed call, or text scam from area code 253? Here is how to trace who is calling from 253 area code and verify unknown numbers safely:

Identify Missed Calls & Voicemails:

Legitimate contacts usually leave a detailed voicemail or caller ID record.

Watch Out for Neighbor Spoofing:

Robocallers often fake incoming caller ID numbers using your local 253 prefix to boost pick-up rates.

Reverse Phone Lookup Area Code 253:

Search public white-pages or use caller intelligence guides before returning unfamiliar calls.

Learn How Reverse Phone Lookups Work→

How to Call Area Code 253 & Dialing Format

When placing a phone call to a number in area code 253, follow the correct dialing format depending on your calling location:

Calling from inside the US / Canada (+1): Dial 1 + (253) + 7-digit number.
Calling from an international location outside +1: Dial your country's international exit code (e.g. 011 in US or + on mobile) + 1 + 253 + 7-digit number.
Do I need to dial area code 253 for local calls? Yes, 10-digit dialing (area code + line number) is mandatory across North American telephone networks.

Top Cities & Municipalities Served in Area Code 253

Urban centers, census places, and communities within the +1-253 calling area

24 Major Cities Listed

City Name	County	Population	% of 253 Pop
Tacoma	Pierce County	229,816	24.6%
Kent	Pierce County	134,871	14.5%
Federal Way	Pierce County	99,729	10.7%
Auburn	Pierce County	86,301	9.3%
Lakewood	Thurston County	62,755	6.7%
Burien	Kitsap County	51,859	5.6%
Puyallup	Pierce County	42,682	4.6%
University Place	Thurston County	35,479	3.8%
Seatac	Kitsap County	34,578	3.7%
Des Moines	Pierce County	33,032	3.5%
Bonney Lake	Pierce County	22,139	2.4%
Edgewood	Pierce County	13,548	1.5%
Gig Harbor	Kitsap County	12,630	1.4%
Fife	Pierce County	11,061	1.2%
Sumner	Pierce County	10,871	1.2%
Dupont	Thurston County	9,778	1.0%
Milton	Pierce County	8,911	1.0%
Pacific	Pierce County	7,056	0.8%
Fircrest	Pierce County	6,959	0.7%
Steilacoom	Thurston County	6,648	0.7%

Counties Covered by Area Code 253

Geographic county distribution and population coverage across Washington

County Name	Total Population	% of 253 Area	% of County
Pierce County	939,786	76.2%	76%
Thurston County	302,132	12.4%	38%
Kitsap County	280,728	11.4%	38%

☎️Area Code 253 Exchange Prefixes & Carriers

Showing 50 of 526 central office 3-digit prefixes and assigned telecom carriers

58% Landline32% Wireless10% VoIP

Prefix	Line Usage	Rate Center	Assigned Carrier	Assign Date
(253) 200-	📞Landline	PUYALLUP	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	12/10/2002
(253) 201-	💻VoIP	TACOMA	ONVOY, LLC - WA	11/23/2015
(253) 202-	📱Wireless	TACOMAWVLY	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	N/A
(253) 203-	📞Landline	TACOMA	PAETEC ITEL, LLC	N/A
(253) 204-	💻VoIP	AUBURN	ONVOY, LLC - WA	03/26/2013
(253) 205-	📞Landline	AUBURN	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	N/A
(253) 206-	📞Landline	WA	Local Exchange Carrier	N/A
(253) 207-	📞Landline	TACOMA	QWEST CORPORATION	N/A
(253) 208-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	CELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - WA	N/A
(253) 209-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC	N/A
(253) 210-	📞Landline	GRAHAM	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	N/A
(253) 211-	📞Landline	XXXXXXXXXX	MULTIPLE OCN LISTING	N/A
(253) 212-	📞Landline	TACOMA	TELEPORT COMMUNICATIONS AMERICA, LLC - WA	03/20/2001
(253) 213-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	12/19/2013
(253) 214-	📞Landline	DES MOINES	MCIMETRO ACCESS TRANSMISSION SERVICES LLC - WA	03/29/2001
(253) 215-	📞Landline	ROY	COMCAST IP PHONE, LLC	02/18/2005
(253) 216-	📞Landline	KENT	PAETEC ITEL, LLC	N/A
(253) 217-	📱Wireless	AUBURN	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	02/13/2001
(253) 218-	📞Landline	AUBURN	ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE LLC DBA ALLSTREAM	01/24/2001
(253) 219-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC	N/A
(253) 220-	💻VoIP	KENT	BANDWIDTH.COM CLEC, LLC - WA	N/A
(253) 221-	📱Wireless	TACOMAWVLY	METROPCS, INC.	N/A
(253) 222-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	04/16/2001
(253) 223-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	04/16/2001
(253) 224-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	04/16/2001
(253) 225-	📱Wireless	GIG HARBOR	CELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - WA	N/A
(253) 226-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	N/A
(253) 227-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	N/A
(253) 228-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	N/A
(253) 229-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC	N/A
(253) 230-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	N/A
(253) 231-	📞Landline	TACOMAWVLY	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	N/A
(253) 232-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	N/A
(253) 233-	📞Landline	TACOMA	SPOK, INC.	01/23/2001
(253) 234-	📞Landline	KENT	MCIMETRO ACCESS TRANSMISSION SERVICES LLC	03/29/2001
(253) 235-	📞Landline	TACOMAWVLY	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	08/27/2002
(253) 236-	📞Landline	KENT	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	08/27/2002
(253) 237-	📞Landline	DES MOINES	ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE LLC DBA ALLSTREAM	01/24/2001
(253) 238-	📞Landline	TACOMA	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	N/A
(253) 239-	📞Landline	KENT	LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC - WA	N/A
(253) 240-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	T-MOBILE USA, INC.	04/01/2016
(253) 241-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC	N/A
(253) 242-	📱Wireless	TACOMAWVLY	CELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - WA	N/A
(253) 243-	💻VoIP	KENT	ONVOY, LLC - WA	N/A
(253) 244-	📱Wireless	TACOMA	CELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - WA	06/11/2013
(253) 245-	💻VoIP	AUBURN	BANDWIDTH.COM CLEC, LLC - WA	01/28/2003
(253) 246-	📞Landline	KENT	ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE LLC DBA ALLSTREAM	01/28/2003
(253) 247-	📱Wireless	AUBURN	CELLCO PARTNERSHIP DBA VERIZON WIRELESS - WA	04/15/2022
(253) 248-	📞Landline	TACOMAWVLY	ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE LLC DBA ALLSTREAM	02/28/2001
(253) 249-	📞Landline	AUBURN	ELECTRIC LIGHTWAVE LLC DBA ALLSTREAM	02/28/2001

Frequently Asked Questions about Area Code 253

Where is area code 253 located?

Area code 253 is located in Washington (United States), serving cities like Tacoma, Kent, Federal Way, Auburn, Lakewood, Burien, Puyallup, University Place, Seatac, Des Moines.