Direct answer
Area code 206 serves Seattle and the close-in Puget Sound area in Washington. It is in the Pacific Time, and ten-digit dialing is required there.
Facts
| Area code | 206 |
| State | Washington (WA) |
| Region | Seattle and the close-in Puget Sound area |
| Time zone | Pacific Time |
| Overlays | 206/564 |
| In service since | 1947 (NANPA tool date: 1 January 1947) |
| Dialing rule | Yes — ten-digit dialing is required in this overlay area. |
Areas covered
The 206 footprint covers Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, Burien, White Center, and part of Des Moines. That list describes the area the code serves today, not the larger territory it may have covered when it was first assigned. Washington is entirely in the Pacific Time Zone for this footprint. Callers in this area should always dial the full ten-digit number, including the area code, even for a local call.
History
Area code 206 is an original 1947 code that once covered all of Washington. Eastern Washington split off as 509 in 1957, and the rest of western Washington outside Seattle split off as 360 in 1995. A three-way split in 1997 created 253 and 425 and left 206 as the Seattle core. Area code 564 was later added for the 206 territory, in 2025. The exact day of that 564 addition is not stated in this package, because the research draft flagged it as unverified and the NANPA check did not confirm a day.
Dialing
Dialing rule: Yes — ten-digit dialing is required in this overlay area. The reason is the overlay structure in the facts table above, except where this page states a different reason, as it does for 616. From outside the United States, the country code for the United States is 1, followed by the area code and the local number. This page explains the area code only; it does not identify who owns a number or where a phone is.
Calls and spoofing
A call that shows a familiar area code is not proof of who is calling. Caller ID can be spoofed, so a number that looks local may come from anywhere. Do not share personal or financial details because of the number on the screen, and hang up and call back on a number you trust if a caller asks for money, codes, or account access. This site does not identify callers or phone owners, and it does not list reported spam numbers.
Related codes
564 (overlay, not a Batch 1 page).
Frequently asked questions
Where is 206 area code?
Area code 206 is in Washington, covering Seattle and the close-in Puget Sound area. It does not cover the whole state.
What time zone is 206 area code?
Area code 206 is in the Pacific Time. Washington is entirely in the Pacific Time Zone for this footprint.
What area codes overlay 206?
The overlay codes for 206 are 564. The full overlay group is 206/564. New numbers in the same territory can carry any code in the group.
Is 206 area code a scam?
No area code is itself a scam. Scammers can spoof any area code, including this one, so judge a call by what the caller asks for, not by the number shown. This site does not identify callers.
When did 206 area code go into service?
Area code 206 has been in service since 1947 (NANPA tool date: 1 January 1947).
Sources
NANPA area code search; List of Washington (state) area codes
Based on a recent search of NANPA and official sources.
This website provides general information about North American area codes, compiled from public sources including NANPA. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC, NANPA or any telephone carrier. Area code details can change; confirm with your carrier or the official NANPA website. This site does not identify callers or phone owners.