Area code 256 – Alabama
256 has served Alabama since 1998, split from 205. All but a handful of its 786 number blocks are allocated (786 of 786), so it is effectively exhausted. AT&T is the largest holder with 40.7% of blocks, ahead of Other CLEC / VoIP at 18.2%. It shares its geography with overlay codes 938, so local calls take all ten digits. 1,064 FTC complaints named a 256 caller ID in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, putting it 33rd of 422 codes with five or more complaints.
Who holds 256 number blocks
Share of the 786 assigned NXX blocks (100% of the 786 possible), across 52 carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers.
- AT&T40.7%
- Verizon11.3%
- Other CLEC / VoIP10.9%
- T-Mobile9.4%
- Windstream7.6%
- Lumen7.6%
- Onvoy4.3%
- Brightspeed2.8%
- Bandwidth2%
- Charter1%
- Spok0.9%
- Telnyx0.5%
- Comcast0.4%
- VoIP Innovations0.1%
- Twilio0.1%
- Dish0.1%
Spam complaints naming 256
FTC Do Not Call complaints where the caller ID was a 256 number, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 (33 days). Caller IDs on spam calls are frequently spoofed, so these are complaints about the code, not calls proven to originate in it.
Rate centers in 256
NANPA allocates number blocks to rate centers and records their names abbreviated to ten characters, so these are NANPA's codes rather than place names – CHAMPAURBN is Champaign-Urbana, NWYRCYZN01 is a New York City zone. We show them unchanged instead of guessing at the full names. Showing the largest 5 of 92.
Timeline
- 1998 256 goes into service, split from or overlaid on 205.
More about 256
Separate pages for the questions that need their own answer: what time it is there, what the complaint data says, who holds the number blocks, and how the code compares with the one it shares its area with.
Frequently asked about 256
What state is area code 256?
Alabama. It covers the same area as 256/938.
Can I still get a 256 number?
Only from recycled stock. 786 of the 786 available blocks are already allocated, so new numbers in the area normally come from the overlay codes (256/938).
Is a call from 256 a scam?
256 is one of the most complained-about codes in the country – 1,064 FTC complaints in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 33rd of 422 ranked codes. Most of those calls are spoofed: the caller fakes a local-looking number because it gets answered more often. Look up the specific number rather than judging by the code.
Which carrier owns 256 numbers?
AT&T holds the largest share of assigned number blocks at 40.7%. The rest is spread across 3 other carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers – people keep their numbers when they switch carriers.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in 256?
Yes – ten digits for local calls in 256, because it shares its area with another code.
Sources and verification
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- NANPA – CO Code Assignment Records, All States (utilized), file updated 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 25 daily files 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
NANPA dialing note for this code: “10D”. Reviewed by the data desk. Spotted an error? Request a correction.