Washington has 6 active area codes serving its cities and communities across the Pacific Time Zone. The entire state follows Pacific Time (PST/PDT), making scheduling straightforward for residents and businesses. In a significant recent development, the 564 area code expanded to include the Seattle 206 region on June 10, 2025.

Whether you need to identify an unknown caller, plan business communications, or schedule calls across regions, this guide provides complete and current information about every Washington area code.

Key Takeaways:

• Washington uses 6 active area codes: 206, 253, 360, 425, 509, and 564
• All regions follow the Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8 standard, UTC-7 daylight saving)
• 564 is the newest overlay code (introduced in 2017, expanded to the 206 area in June 2025)
• 10-digit dialing is mandatory statewide for all calls, including local
• Five codes serve Western Washington (206, 253, 360, 425, 564), while 509 covers Eastern Washington
• The state does not span multiple time zones, simplifying business scheduling

Complete Washington Area Codes List

Area Code 206: Seattle and Puget Sound Core

206 was introduced in 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes in the North American Numbering Plan. Initially, 206 covered the entire state of Washington, making it one of the most historically significant area codes in the Pacific Northwest. As Washington’s population grew rapidly through the latter half of the 20th century, the need for additional numbering resources became critical.

Geographic Coverage

Today, 206 serves the core of the Seattle metropolitan area, including downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and surrounding neighborhoods. The code also covers Vashon Island, Mercer Island, Shoreline, and other communities within the central Puget Sound region. King County forms the primary geographic base for this area code.

564 Overlay Expansion

✨ NEW: Activated June 10, 2025 – The 564 overlay expanded to include the 206 service area. This means new phone numbers assigned in the Seattle core region may receive either 206 or 564 area codes. Existing 206 numbers remain unchanged, but the expansion addresses number exhaustion concerns in one of Washington’s most densely populated regions.

Current Coverage

The 206 area code serves approximately 750,000 people and includes major institutions like the University of Washington, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), major tech company headquarters, and the Port of Seattle. Ten-digit dialing has been required since 2017, even for local calls within the 206 region.

Area Code 253: Tacoma and Pierce County

Area code 253 primarily serves Pierce County and includes Tacoma (Washington’s third-largest city), Puyallup, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, Bonney Lake, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The region is known for its military presence, port facilities, and proximity to Mount Rainier National Park.

History and Implementation

Introduced on April 27, 1997, the 253 code was created through a geographic split from 206 to address number exhaustion in the rapidly growing South Puget Sound region. The split reflected the distinct identity of Pierce County communities and the substantial population growth throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Current Usage

The 253 region serves approximately 900,000 residents and includes significant economic drivers like the Port of Tacoma, major healthcare systems, and manufacturing facilities. The area code overlays with 564 as part of the Western Washington overlay plan, meaning new numbers in this region may receive either 253 or 564 designations.

Area Code 360: Western Washington Regional

Area code 360 serves the widest geographic area in Western Washington, covering counties including Clark, Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish (partial), Thurston, Kitsap, and many others. Major cities include Vancouver, Bellingham, Olympia (the state capital), Bremerton, Longview, and Mount Vernon.

Historical Context

The 360 was introduced on January 15, 1995, as the first split from the original 206 area code. This split was necessary due to the explosive growth in cellular phone adoption and the expansion of suburban communities surrounding Seattle. The 360 designation created a distinct identity for communities outside the immediate Seattle-Tacoma corridor.

564 Overlay Implementation

Code 360 was the first region to receive the 564 overlay when it was activated on August 28, 2017. This overlay was implemented to extend the lifespan of available phone numbers without requiring existing customers to change their numbers. All calls within the 360/564 region require 10-digit dialing.

Regional Significance

The 360 region is the state’s most diverse area code geographically, stretching from the Canadian border (Bellingham) to the Columbia River (Vancouver), and from the Pacific Coast to the Cascade foothills. It serves approximately 1.5 million residents across dozens of counties and includes military bases, state government offices, and major educational institutions like Western Washington University.

Area Code 425: Eastside Suburbs

Area code 425 serves the Eastside suburbs of Seattle, covering cities in King and Snohomish counties east of Lake Washington. This includes Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Renton, Issaquah, Sammamish, Bothell, Woodinville, and Everett.

Major Cities and Institutions

The 425 region is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and technology giants, including Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, T-Mobile US, and Valve Corporation. The area has transformed from suburban bedroom communities in the 1970s into a major economic center rivaling downtown Seattle.

History and Implementation

Introduced on April 27, 1997, the same day as 253, area code 425 was created through a geographic split from 206. The split recognized the distinct character and rapid growth of Eastside communities, which had developed their own economic identity separate from Seattle proper.

Current Status

Serving approximately 1.2 million residents, the 425 area code is part of the 564 overlay plan. New phone numbers in this region may receive either 425 or 564 area codes. The region requires 10-digit dialing for all calls, and the high concentration of businesses has created sustained demand for new phone numbers.

Area Code 509: Eastern Washington

Area code 509 serves the entire eastern portion of Washington state, covering approximately two-thirds of the state’s land area. This includes Spokane (Washington’s second-largest city), the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland), Yakima, Wenatchee, Walla Walla, Moses Lake, and dozens of smaller communities.

Major Cities and Communities

Spokane serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Washington, with a metropolitan population exceeding 500,000. The Tri-Cities region is known for its wine industry and the Hanford Site. Yakima anchors the agricultural heartland, producing apples, hops, and wine grapes that define Washington’s agricultural economy.

Geographic Significance

The 509 area code covers diverse terrain, from the arid Columbia Basin to the forested Selkirk Mountains, from wheat fields of the Palouse to the orchards of the Okanogan. Despite its vast geographic coverage, 509 serves only about 1.5 million residents, reflecting the rural character of much of Eastern Washington.

Economic Importance

Eastern Washington’s economy relies on agriculture, food processing, healthcare, education (including Washington State University in Pullman and Gonzaga University in Spokane), and clean energy production. The 509 region has not required an overlay or split since its creation in 1957, though number conservation measures remain in place.

Area Code 564: Western Washington Overlay

 564 code was introduced on August 28, 2017, as an overlay for the 360 area code region. Unlike traditional area code splits that divide geographic regions, an overlay assigns multiple area codes to the same geographic area. This approach allows existing phone numbers to remain unchanged while providing additional numbering resources.

Phased Expansion Timeline

The 564 overlay initially served only the 360 region beginning in 2017. In a phased expansion approach, 564 was extended to cover additional Western Washington area codes. ✨ Most recently, on June 10, 2025, the 564 overlay expanded to include the 206 service area, marking a significant milestone in Washington’s telecommunications infrastructure.

Coverage and Cities

As of mid-2025, code 564 now overlays four existing area codes in Western Washington: 206, 253, 360, and 425. This means any city previously served by these codes may now assign new phone numbers with the 564. Cities affected include Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Vancouver, Bellingham, Olympia, and dozens of others throughout Western Washington.

Why the Overlay Was Needed

Washington’s rapid population growth, combined with the proliferation of mobile phones, internet-connected devices, and business lines, created unprecedented demand for phone numbers. The 564 overlay was chosen over geographic splits to avoid the disruption and cost of forcing existing customers to change their phone numbers. Number exhaustion projections indicated that without relief, Western Washington would run out of available numbers by the early 2020s.

Understanding Time Zones In The State

Time Zone Coverage

The state operates entirely within the Pacific Time Zone. Unlike many Western states that span multiple time zones, Washington’s geography keeps all regions in the same zone. This includes both Western (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia) and Eastern (Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities), making statewide coordination simple for businesses and residents.

UTC Offset and Daylight Saving Time

Pacific Standard Time (PST) is UTC-8 during the winter months, while Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) is UTC-7 during the summer months. Washington observes Daylight Saving Time, moving clocks forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and back one hour on the first Sunday in November. All the state area codes follow this schedule without exception.

Scheduling Across Time Zones

When scheduling calls or meetings with other regions, the state operates three hours behind Eastern Time, two hours behind Central Time, and one hour behind Mountain Time. For international business, Washington is eight hours behind London (during PST) and 16-17 hours behind major Asian cities like Tokyo and Sydney. The consistent time zone across all Washington area codes eliminates confusion when coordinating within the state.

Washington Cities and Their Area Codes

• Seattle: 206, 564 (overlay expanded June 2025)
• Spokane: 509 (Eastern Washington’s largest city, population ~230,000)
• Tacoma: 253, 564 (Pierce County, population ~220,000)
• Vancouver: 360, 564 (Clark County, near Portland, OR)
• Bellevue: 425, 564 (Eastside tech hub, population ~150,000)
• Kent: 253, 564 (South King County)
• Everett: 425, 564 (Snohomish County seat)
• Renton: 425, 564 (South of Seattle)
• Spokane Valley: 509 (Eastern suburb of Spokane)
• Federal Way: 253, 564 (Between Seattle and Tacoma)
• Yakima: 509 (Central Washington agricultural hub)
• Bellingham: 360, 564 (Near Canadian border)
• Kennewick: 509 (Part of Tri-Cities)
• Auburn: 253, 564 (South Puget Sound)
• Olympia: 360, 564 (State capital, Thurston County)

How to Use Area Codes in Washington

Local Calling Requirements

Washington requires 10-digit dialing for all calls, including local calls within the same area code. This requirement was implemented on July 29, 2017, in preparation for the 564 overlay. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit phone number for every call, even when calling your next-door neighbor. The “1” prefix is not required for local calls, only the 10-digit number (example: 206-555-0123).

Calling from Outside Washington

When calling Washington from elsewhere in the United States or Canada, dial 1 plus the area code plus the seven-digit number (example: 1-206-555-0123). This long-distance format applies whether you’re calling from neighboring Oregon or distant Florida. Most mobile phone plans include nationwide calling, but verify with your carrier if charges apply.

International Dialing Format

To call from outside North America, dial your country’s international access code (often 011 or 00), then 1 (the country code for the United States), then the area code and seven-digit number (example: 011-1-206-555-0123 from most countries). The state’s consistent Pacific Time Zone makes it easier to schedule international calls, as all Washington numbers operate on the same schedule.

Mobile and Landline Considerations

Area codes no longer reliably indicate whether a number is mobile or landline, as number portability allows users to keep their numbers when switching carriers or service types. The 564 overlay applies equally to mobile phones, landlines, and VoIP services. Businesses should note that customers may have any of Washington’s six area codes regardless of their current location, as numbers can be retained when moving within the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many area codes does Washington have?

Washington has 6 active area codes: 206, 253, 360, 425, 509, and 564. Five of these codes (206, 253, 360, 425, 564) serve Western Washington, while 509 covers the entire eastern portion of the state.

What is the 564 area code in Washington?

The 564 area code is an overlay code introduced in 2017 to provide additional phone numbers for Western Washington. Initially covering only the 360 region, it expanded in phases to overlay 253, 425, and most recently 206 (June 2025). New phone numbers in Western Washington may be assigned 564, while existing numbers keep their original codes. This overlay prevents number exhaustion without requiring customers to change their phone numbers.

Do I need to dial 10 digits for local calls in Washington?

Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory throughout Washington for all calls, including local calls within the same area code. This requirement began on July 29, 2017, before the 564 overlay was activated. You must dial the area code plus the seven-digit number for every call. The “1” prefix is not required for local calls within Washington, only for long-distance calls outside the state.

What time zone is Washington state in?

The state is entirely in the Pacific Time Zone (PST/PDT). Pacific Standard Time is UTC-8 during the winter months, and Pacific Daylight Time is UTC-7 during the summer months. The state observes Daylight Saving Time, moving clocks forward in March and back in November. Unlike some Western states, Washington does not span multiple time zones, making scheduling simple across all area codes.

Why did Seattle get a new area code?

Seattle’s 206 area code was running low on available phone numbers due to population growth and increased demand for mobile phones, business lines, and internet-connected devices. Rather than splitting 206 into separate geographic regions (which would force some residents and businesses to change numbers), regulators chose an overlay approach.

The 564 overlay expanded to the 206 region in June 2025, allowing new numbers to be assigned with either 206 or 564 area codes while existing 206 numbers remain unchanged.