Area Code 251: Mobile, Alabama
251 is a telephone area code serving Alabama, including Mobile. It is part of the North American Numbering Plan and is dialed with the country code +1.
Numbers beginning with 251 are located in Alabama, United States (NANP region: South). The code covers Mobile.
How to Dial Area Code 251
| Calling from | What to dial |
|---|---|
| Anywhere in the US or Canada | 1 251 XXX-XXXX (10-digit dialing: 251 + 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 1 251 XXX XXXX |
| From Australia | 0011 1 251 XXX XXXX |
| From a mobile phone anywhere | +1 251 XXX XXXX |
Whatever country you are calling from, the + symbol replaces the exit code. Save the contact as +1 251 XXXXXXX and it will dial correctly from any phone in the world.
Time Zone for Area Code 251
Calls to a 251 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 251
The following places fall inside the 251 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 |
|---|---|
| 205 | Birmingham, Tuscaloosa |
| 256 | Huntsville, Florence |
| 334 | Montgomery, Auburn |
| 938 | Huntsville (overlay) |
See all 5 area codes in Alabama →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is area code 251?
Area code 251 is in Alabama, United States. It covers Mobile.
What time zone is area code 251 in?
Area code 251 rings in the America/Chicago time zone (UTC-06:00 standard).
Do I need to dial 1 before area code 251?
Yes, for a long-distance call inside the US and Canada you dial 1 first, then 251, 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 251.
Is area code 251 toll-free?
No. 251 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.