The area code 206 is located in Seattle, Washington.
Area code 206 serves Seattle, Washington, and nearby communities around Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, and Lake Washington. It anchors the central Puget Sound region and is closely tied to Seattle’s identity. Established in 1947, it is one of the earliest area codes in the United States. Today, 206 is home to many of Seattle’s best-known landmarks, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the University of Washington.
"Area code 206 was assigned in 1947 and originally covered all of western Washington." — North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)
Looking for which places use the 206 area code? It covers Seattle and close-in communities in King County, plus select islands in Puget Sound. These are the core 206 locations:
History and dialing facts: 206 began as a very large area code, and in the mid-1990s it was split to create 360 (1995) and later 425 and 253 (1997). That’s why most Eastside and South Sound cities now use 425 or 253, while 206 remains centered on Seattle and nearby islands. Mandatory 10-digit dialing is in effect, and local time is Pacific Time (PT). If you see a 206 phone number, it most often points to Seattle or one of these close neighbors on or around Puget Sound.