253 Area CodeTacoma, WA
Area code 253 covers Tacoma and nearby communities in Washington, in the Pacific Time (PT) zone, home to about 1.3 million people across 71 cities. It overlays 360, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Where is area code 253?
Area code 253 serves part of Tacoma, WA and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (360) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 253 Area Code
What is the 253 area code?
The 253 area code serves Tacoma, Washington, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 253 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 253 created?
The 253 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Tacoma once the existing area code 360 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 253 Area Code
The 253 area code serves Tacoma and surrounding areas in Washington. It operates within the Pacific Time (PT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 360. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Tacoma
- Kent
- Federal Way
- Auburn
- Lakewood
- South Hill
Got a call from a 253 number? It came from Tacoma, WA. Since 253 overlays with 360, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 253, Tacoma holds about 18% of the population; the rest is split across 70 smaller cities.
Tacoma Area Codes Overview
Tacoma is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 253 area code operates alongside 360. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 253 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 253 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma | WA | 228,202 | 7% | 100% |
| Kent | WA | 136,588 | 3% | 92% |
| Federal Way | WA | 100,252 | 3% | 100% |
| Auburn | WA | 85,513 | 3% | 100% |
| Lakewood | WA | 62,709 | 2% | 100% |
| South Hill | WA | 52,431 | 2% | 90% |
| Puyallup | WA | 42,552 | 2% | 100% |
| Parkland | WA | 35,803 | 1% | 100% |
| University Place | WA | 35,160 | 1% | 100% |
| Des Moines | WA | 33,207 | 0% | 24% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 253 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 470 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 253 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 55% robocalls
- ↑ 8% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other43%204
- Dropped call or no message15%69
- Home improvement & cleaning11%51
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 253?
48% assigned to a telco
- 70% Landline
- 30% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (253)200- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (253)201- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (253)202- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (253)203- | Landline | Mcleodusa Telecommunication Services |
| (253)204- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (253)205- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
| (253)207- | Landline | Qwest |
| (253)208- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (253)209- | Wireless | New Cingular Wireless Pcs |
| (253)210- | Landline | Level 3 Communications |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 253 Area Code
Who called me from a 253 number?
A 253 number is assigned to Tacoma, Washington, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 253 code to look nearby, so a 253 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 470 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 253 code (55% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 253 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 253 is a normal, officially assigned code for Tacoma, Washington. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 253 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 470 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 253 code (55% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 253 area code?
Repeated calls from different 253 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 253 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 470 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 253 code (55% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 253 number?
If you aren't expecting a 253 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 253 area code?
Block a single 253 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 253 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 253?
Area code 253 covers Tacoma and the surrounding area in Washington, spanning 71 cities with about 1,253,990 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 360.
Is 253 a real area code?
Yes. 253 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Tacoma, Washington. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 253 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 253 area code in?
The 253 area code is in the Pacific Time (PT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 253 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 253 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 253 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 253 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.