Where Is Area Code 938?
Area code 938 serves Huntsville and a broad part of north and northeast Alabama. It is a geographic overlay that covers the same territory as area code 256, rather than a separate section of the state. Huntsville is the primary city associated with area code 938.
Major cities in the region include Decatur, Athens, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Gadsden, Anniston, Madison, and Cullman. The service region includes communities in Madison, Limestone, Morgan, Lauderdale, Colbert, Etowah, Calhoun, DeKalb, Marshall, Jackson, Cullman, Franklin, Lawrence, Cherokee, Talladega, and Tallapoosa counties.
The Tennessee River, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, and the southern Appalachian foothills are notable geographic features in the region. Huntsville landmarks and institutions include the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Redstone Arsenal.
Cities and Communities in the 938 Area Code
- Huntsville, Madison County
- Madison, Madison County
- Athens, Limestone County
- Decatur, Morgan County
- Hartselle, Morgan County
- Florence, Lauderdale County
- Muscle Shoals, Colbert County
- Sheffield, Colbert County
- Tuscumbia, Colbert County
- Russellville, Franklin County
- Moulton, Lawrence County
- Gadsden, Etowah County
- Anniston, Calhoun County
- Jacksonville, Calhoun County
- Oxford, Calhoun County
- Cullman, Cullman County
- Scottsboro, Jackson County
- Fort Payne, DeKalb County
- Rainsville, DeKalb County
- Albertville, Marshall County
- Arab, Marshall County
- Guntersville, Marshall County
- Boaz, Marshall and Etowah counties
- Centre, Cherokee County
- Sylacauga, Talladega County
- Talladega, Talladega County
- Alexander City, Tallapoosa County
History of Area Code 938
Area code 938 entered service on July 10, 2010, as an overlay of area code 256. It was not created through a geographic split, so existing 256 customers could keep their telephone numbers while new lines received either area code.
The underlying 256 area code was created in 1998 when Alabama split part of the original 205 territory. The 938 overlay added numbering capacity as telephone use expanded across northern and eastern Alabama. The shared overlay area requires ten-digit dialing for local calls.
Key Facts About Area Code 938
- Area code 938 is a geographic area code in Alabama, and Huntsville is its primary city.
- Area code 938 serves Alabama communities in the Deep South region.
- Area code 938 uses Central Time.
- Area code 938 entered service on July 10, 2010.
- Area code 938 is an overlay of area code 256, not a geographic split.
- Area code 938 covers the same geographic footprint as area code 256.
- The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville is within the area code 938 region.
- Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville is within the area code 938 region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 938 in?
Area code 938 is in Alabama.
What major cities use area code 938?
Major cities include Huntsville, Decatur, Athens, Florence, Muscle Shoals, Gadsden, Anniston, Madison, and Cullman.
What time zone is area code 938 in?
Area code 938 is in Central Time.
Is area code 938 a toll-free number?
No. Area code 938 is a geographic area code, not a toll-free number.