276 Area CodeBristol, VA
Area code 276 covers Bristol and nearby communities in Virginia, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 164,000 people across 82 cities. It overlays 540, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Bristol
- State
- Virginia (VA)
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 540
Where is area code 276?
Area code 276 serves part of Bristol, VA and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (540) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 276 Area Code
What is the 276 area code?
The 276 area code serves Bristol, Virginia, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 276 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 276 created?
The 276 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Bristol once the existing area code 540 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 276 Area Code
The 276 area code serves Bristol and surrounding areas in Virginia. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 540. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Bristol
- Martinsville
- Abingdon
- Wytheville
- Collinsville
- Galax
Got a call from a 276 number? It came from Bristol, VA. Since 276 overlays with 540, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 276, Bristol holds about 10% of the population; the rest is split across 81 smaller cities.
Bristol Area Codes Overview
Bristol is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 276 area code operates alongside 540. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 276 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 276 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | VA | 16,316 | 0% | 100% |
| Martinsville | VA | 13,834 | 0% | 100% |
| Abingdon | VA | 8,316 | 0% | 100% |
| Wytheville | VA | 8,160 | 0% | 100% |
| Collinsville | VA | 7,335 | 0% | 100% |
| Galax | VA | 6,739 | 0% | 100% |
| Marion | VA | 5,602 | 0% | 100% |
| Big Stone Gap | VA | 5,087 | 0% | 100% |
| Richlands | VA | 5,074 | 0% | 100% |
| Bluefield | VA | 4,871 | 0% | 100% |
* 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 276 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 222 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 276 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 60% robocalls
- ↓ 18% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other33%74
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends16%36
- Dropped call or no message12%26
* 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 276?
35% assigned to a telco
- 79% Landline
- 21% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (276)200- | Landline | Lumos Networks |
| (276)201- | Landline | Comcast Ip Phone |
| (276)202- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (276)203- | Landline | Lumos Networks |
| (276)204- | Landline | Lumos Networks |
| (276)205- | Landline | Lumos Networks |
| (276)206- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (276)207- | Landline | Cavalier Telephone |
| (276)208- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (276)209- | Landline | Bandwidth.Com Clec |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 276 Area Code
Who called me from a 276 number?
A 276 number is assigned to Bristol, Virginia, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 276 code to look nearby, so a 276 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 222 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 276 code (60% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 276 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 276 is a normal, officially assigned code for Bristol, Virginia. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 276 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 222 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 276 code (60% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 276 area code?
Repeated calls from different 276 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 276 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 222 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 276 code (60% 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 276 number?
If you aren't expecting a 276 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 276 area code?
Block a single 276 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 276 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 276?
Area code 276 covers Bristol and the surrounding area in Virginia, spanning 82 cities with about 163,583 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 540.
Is 276 a real area code?
Yes. 276 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Bristol, Virginia. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 276 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 276 area code in?
The 276 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 276 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 276 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 276 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 276 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.