Area Code 205: Birmingham, Alabama
205 is a telephone area code serving Alabama, including Birmingham, Tuscaloosa. It is part of the North American Numbering Plan and is dialed with the country code +1.
Numbers beginning with 205 are located in Alabama, United States (NANP region: Central). The code covers Birmingham, Tuscaloosa.
How to Dial Area Code 205
| Calling from | What to dial |
|---|---|
| Anywhere in the US or Canada | 1 205 XXX-XXXX (10-digit dialing: 205 + 7-digit number) |
| Local call inside the same area code | 7-digit number in most areas; 10 digits where an overlay code is active |
| From the UK or Europe | 00 1 205 XXX XXXX |
| From Australia | 0011 1 205 XXX XXXX |
| From a mobile phone anywhere | +1 205 XXX XXXX |
Whatever country you are calling from, the + symbol replaces the exit code. Save the contact as +1 205 XXXXXXX and it will dial correctly from any phone in the world.
Time Zone for Area Code 205
Calls to a 205 number ring in the America/Chicago time zone, standard offset UTC-06:00. Daylight saving time applies here, so the offset moves forward one hour from March to November.
Cities and Communities Served by 205
The following places fall inside the 205 calling area:
Other Area Codes in Alabama
These codes also serve Alabama. Area codes are assigned by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).
| Area Code | Cities / Coverage |
|---|---|
| 251 | Mobile |
| 256 | Huntsville, Florence |
| 334 | Montgomery, Auburn |
| 938 | Huntsville (overlay) |
See all 5 area codes in Alabama →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is area code 205?
Area code 205 is in Alabama, United States. It covers Birmingham, Tuscaloosa.
What time zone is area code 205 in?
Area code 205 rings in the America/Chicago time zone (UTC-06:00 standard).
Do I need to dial 1 before area code 205?
Yes, for a long-distance call inside the US and Canada you dial 1 first, then 205, then the seven-digit number. The 1 is the North American long-distance trunk prefix — it is not the country code. From outside North America you dial your exit code then 1 then 205.
Is area code 205 toll-free?
No. 205 is a standard geographic area code, so normal long-distance rates apply unless your plan includes them. Toll-free NANP codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.