The 205 area code is the Birmingham area code. It covers Alabama’s largest metro area and Tuscaloosa, in the western and central part of the state. It shares the area with 659.
Here are the cities in 205, the time zone, the history and what to do about unknown 205 calls.
205 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Alabama |
| Location | Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and west-central Alabama |
| Time zone | Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1947 |
| Type | Original geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 659 (overlay since October 2019) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 205 Area Code Located?
Area code 205 is located in western and central Alabama. Main cities:
- Birmingham
- Tuscaloosa
- Hoover
- Bessemer
- Jasper
Montgomery and Mobile are in other codes, 334 and 251.
What Time Zone Is the 205 Area Code In?
Birmingham is on Central Time.
- Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6, in winter
- Central Daylight Time (CDT), UTC-5, from mid March to early November
That puts it one hour behind New York and two hours ahead of Los Angeles. Check the clock before you dial, especially if you are several time zones away.
History of the 205 Area Code
- 1947: 205 is created as an original area code. It covers the entire state of Alabama.
- 1995: the Montgomery area and the south become 334.
- 1998: the northern and eastern parts, including Huntsville, become 256.
- October 2019: 659 is added as an overlay, and ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory for all calls.
From the Whole State to Two Cities
For almost 50 years, every phone in Alabama had a 205 number. Two splits in the 1990s reduced the code to the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa region. Today it is closely tied to those two cities. Birmingham is a center for banking, steel and medical care, and Tuscaloosa is home to a large state university, so calls from hospitals, banks and campus offices are common.
How to Dial a 205 Number
You need the area code for every call, even a local one.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 205 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 205 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 205 a Scam?
A 205 number is usually a local resident or business. Calls that pretend to come from a hospital billing office, a bank or a university and push for immediate payment should be verified first.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Threats of arrest, a lawsuit or a service shut-off unless you pay today
- Offers of a prize, a loan or a job that need a fee first
- Callers who already know part of your details and ask you to “confirm” the rest
- One-ring calls that try to make you call back
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 205 call
- Do not answer numbers you do not know.
- Never share a PIN, password or passcode with someone who called you.
- Block repeat callers and turn on your carrier spam filter.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 205 Phone Number
Want a 205 number of your own? There are a few ways to get one.
- Carriers: new lines in the area receive 205 or 659 depending on supply.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 205 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 833 area code.
Area Codes Near 205
| 659 | Same area as 205 |
| 256, 938 | Huntsville, Decatur, Florence |
| 334 | Montgomery, Auburn, Dothan |
| 251 | Mobile |
| 662 | Northern Mississippi |
Related guides: 470 area code for Atlanta, 404 area code for Atlanta, 850 area code for the Florida Panhandle.
205 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 205?
Birmingham, Alabama. It also covers Tuscaloosa, Hoover and Bessemer.
Is Huntsville in 205?
No. Huntsville has used 256 since 1998.
What is area code 659?
It is the overlay for the 205 area and has been in service since October 2019.
What time zone is 205?
Central Time.
Is 205 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 205 area code has covered Birmingham since 1947 and shares its area with 659. It is on Central Time. Let unknown callers leave a message before you respond.
