The 206 area code is Seattle’s area code. It covers the city of Seattle, a few close suburbs and several islands in Puget Sound. It is one of the original area codes from 1947 and is still strongly linked to the city.
Here is what you need to know about where 206 is, its time zone, how it changed over the years, and how to treat a 206 number you do not recognize.
206 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Washington |
| Location | Seattle and nearby suburbs and islands |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1947 |
| Type | Original geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 564 (overlay since June 10, 2025) |
| Toll-free? | No |
Use our free area code lookup tool for any other code.
Where Is the 206 Area Code Located?
Area code 206 is in western Washington State, on Puget Sound. It covers a compact area:
- Seattle
- Shoreline and Lake Forest Park to the north
- Mercer Island
- Bainbridge Island
- Vashon Island
- A strip of communities along the Sound from Des Moines in the south to Woodway in the north
Cities people often expect to be in 206 are actually in neighboring codes. Bellevue, Redmond and Everett use 425. Tacoma and Kent use 253. Olympia, Bellingham and Vancouver, Washington use 360.
What Time Zone Is the 206 Area Code In?
Seattle is on Pacific Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC-8, in winter
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC-7, from mid March to early November
Seattle is three hours behind New York. A 9 a.m. call from the East Coast reaches Seattle at 6 a.m., so wait until noon Eastern for business calls.
History of the 206 Area Code
In 1947, 206 was assigned to the entire state of Washington. It has been cut down several times since:
- 1957: 509 is split off for eastern Washington, including Spokane.
- January 15, 1995: 360 takes over western Washington outside the Seattle and Tacoma core.
- April 25, 1997: a three-way split creates 253 for Tacoma and the south, and 425 for Everett and the Eastside. 206 keeps Seattle.
- June 10, 2025: 564 is placed in service as an overlay in the 206 area.
Ten-digit dialing has been required in western Washington since 2017, which prepared the region for the 564 overlay. Existing 206 numbers did not change.
206 and the New 564 Overlay
The 564 area code first appeared in the 360 region. It now also serves the 206 area, so a new Seattle line may come with a 564 number instead of 206. Both codes are local to Seattle. As 206 numbers become harder to get, they are likely to be seen the way 212 is in New York: a sign that the number has been around for a while.
How to Dial a 206 Number
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 206 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 206 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 206 a Scam?
A 206 number usually belongs to a Seattle resident or business. The city is home to large technology, retail and health care employers, so calls from 206 are common across the country. That reputation is also why scammers spoof Seattle numbers.
Common patterns:
- Fake “tech support” or “account security” calls that claim to be from a well-known Seattle company
- Messages about a suspicious order or a refund that ask you to call back or install an app
- Job offers that arrive by text and move quickly to a request for personal data
- Calls that demand payment by gift card
A real company will not ask you to buy gift cards, read out a passcode or give remote access to your computer.
What to do with an unknown 206 call
- Let it go to voicemail.
- Do not use the callback number in a voicemail or text. Go to the company’s website or app instead.
- Block the number.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 206 Phone Number
- Carriers: ask for a Seattle number when opening a line. You may receive 206 or 564 depending on supply.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: many list available 206 numbers that you can forward to any phone.
- Porting: if you move away, you can keep your 206 number by porting it to a mobile or VoIP provider.
Read more in our guide to virtual phone numbers. For a national line, see the 833 area code guide.
Area Codes Near 206
| 564 | Overlay for 206 and for the 360 region |
| 425 | Bellevue, Redmond, Everett and the Eastside |
| 253 | Tacoma, Kent, Auburn |
| 360 | Olympia, Bellingham, Vancouver and the rest of western Washington |
| 509 | Spokane and eastern Washington |
| 672, 604 | Vancouver, British Columbia |
Heading north of the border? See our 672 area code guide.
206 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 206?
Seattle, Washington. It also covers Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island and Vashon Island.
Is Bellevue in the 206 area code?
No. Bellevue is in 425.
What time zone is 206?
Pacific Time.
Is 206 toll-free?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
What is the new area code for Seattle?
564. It became an overlay for the 206 area on June 10, 2025.
Final Word
The 206 area code is Seattle’s original code, on Pacific Time, and it now shares its area with 564. Answer the calls you expect, and let unknown ones prove themselves through voicemail.
