The area code 938 is located in Huntsville, Alabama.
Area code 938 serves Huntsville and much of north and northeast Alabama. It is an overlay of area code 256, created to add new numbers without changing the existing calling area. Introduced in 2010, the overlay brought ten-digit dialing to the region, so local calls require the area code. Centered in the Tennessee Valley, the 938 area covers a fast-growing tech and defense hub anchored by Huntsville, AL, known for aerospace, engineering, and research.
Major cities and communities in the 938/256 overlay include:
The area code spans key landmarks like Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, tying the number closely to the “Rocket City” identity. Because 938 is an overlay, new phone numbers may receive 938 while neighbors keep 256, but both cover the same geography. That means no boundaries changed—just more number availability for homes, mobile phones, and businesses across North Alabama.
“Huntsville is Alabama’s most populous city.” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 estimates)
For anyone seeing a 938 phone number, expect it to originate from North Alabama, especially the Huntsville metro. The area blends high tech with Southern charm, with the Tennessee River and Monte Sano nearby and a strong workforce in defense, space, and advanced manufacturing. In short, area code 938 supports the growth of Huntsville and its neighboring cities, keeping the region connected while preserving the familiar 256 footprint.