phone area code for seattle washington

Understanding Seattle’s Area Code: 206

Seattle, Washington, primarily uses the area code 206. This area code covers not only the city of Seattle itself but also some surrounding areas. Understanding the history and coverage of this area code can be helpful for both residents and those planning to contact individuals or businesses in the Emerald City.

The History of Area Code 206

The 206 area code has a rich history, as it was one of the original area codes established in 1947 by AT&T and Bell Laboratories. Initially, it served the entire state of Washington. However, as the population grew and telephone usage increased, the need for additional area codes arose.

Splitting and Overlaying

Over time, area code 206 was split multiple times to create new area codes for different regions of Washington. In 1957, eastern Washington was assigned area code 509. Later, in 1997, the Puget Sound region outside of Seattle received area code 425. Most recently, in 2022, area code 564 was introduced as an overlay to the 206, 253, and 425 area codes, meaning that new phone numbers in these regions might be assigned the 564 area code. For more information about area code history, see this Wikipedia article about area code 206.

Geographic Coverage of Area Code 206

Today, area code 206 primarily covers the city of Seattle and several nearby communities, including Bainbridge Island, Burien, and Vashon Island. It’s essential to check the specific location when dialing a number, even within the general Seattle metropolitan area, to ensure you are using the correct area code.

How to Dial a Number in Seattle

When calling a number within the 206 area code from another 206 number, local dialing is permitted (seven digits). However, due to the introduction of area code 564 as an overlay, ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) is now mandatory for all calls within the 206, 253, 425 and 564 area code region to ensure proper call routing. When calling from outside the region, you will always need to dial the area code plus the seven-digit number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Seattle have an area code of 206?

Area code 206 was one of the original area codes established in 1947. It initially covered the entire state of Washington, but was later split as the population grew.

What areas does area code 206 cover besides Seattle?

Besides Seattle, area code 206 covers nearby communities such as Bainbridge Island, Burien, and Vashon Island.

Do I need to dial the area code when calling a local number in Seattle?

Yes, due to the overlay of area code 564, ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) is required for all calls within the 206, 253, 425 and 564 area code region.

What is an area code overlay?

An area code overlay is the addition of another area code to the same geographic region as an existing area code. This means that multiple area codes serve the same area, and ten-digit dialing becomes necessary to differentiate between them.

When did 564 become an area code overlay in Seattle?

Area code 564 was introduced as an overlay to the 206, 253, and 425 area codes in 2022.

Summary

Area code 206 is the primary area code for Seattle, Washington, and some surrounding areas. Its history traces back to the original area codes established in 1947. Due to population growth and the introduction of area code 564 as an overlay, ten-digit dialing is now mandatory for local calls in the greater Seattle region. Understanding these details helps ensure successful communication within and to Seattle.