The area code 205 is located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Area code 205 serves Birmingham, Alabama and much of central and west-central Alabama, including Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties. It anchors the state’s largest metro area and connects key business, healthcare, and education hubs. The 205 calling area also links communities along the I‑20/I‑59 corridor between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, making it a vital route for commuters, students, and visitors.
Major cities in the 205 area code include:
Landmarks within this area code include the Birmingham Civil Rights District, the Vulcan statue on Red Mountain, Sloss Furnaces, and the University of Alabama’s Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
First assigned in 1947, 205 was one of the original North American Numbering Plan area codes and once covered the entire state. It later split to create 334 (1995) and 256 (1998), leaving 205 focused on Birmingham and west‑central Alabama. To support growth, the 659 overlay was added in 2019, so 10‑digit dialing is required, and new phone numbers may use 659 while serving the same geography.
Year established: 1947 (Source: North American Numbering Plan Administrator)
The 205/659 region operates on Central Time (CT) and includes major universities like UAB in Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. For many callers, a 205 phone number signals a connection to central Alabama’s economic core, cultural history, and college sports scene. Whether for business, campus life, or travel, area code 205 remains one of Alabama’s most recognized and widely used prefixes.