205 area code: location, overlays and numbers
The US telephone area code 205 serves Birmingham, Alabama, and has operated since 1947. It shares the area through an overlay with 659.
- Location
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Service start
- 1947
- Zone for local time
- Central time
- Overlay
- 659
- Calls within the area
- Full 10-digit dialling
- Rate centre list
- 70
- Expected exhaustion
- 2066
- The country code
- +1 (United States)
Information comes from NANPA public reports, including the area code report and rate-centre report, in the file dated 11/01/2026. The exhaust year comes from NANPA projections 2026-1 (April 2026). This site is not an official NANPA website.
Get a number with area code 205
A 205 number is available through two routes. At sign-up, a provider gives you a new number from those it holds in the code and includes it with its plan. Sellers post numbers they already hold, often in a pattern, for a one-time price, after which you transfer the number to a provider.
First-year cost: providers
| Provider | Cheapest plan | First year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
 Free app | Basic (Just for me), free | $0 | Open Google Voice |
 Free app | Free plan, free | $0 | Open TextNow |
 Developer API | Pay-as-you-go local number, $1.15 a month | $13.80 | Open Twilio |
 Second-number app | Standard, $3.99 a month billed yearly | $47.99 | Open Burner |
 Toll-free specialist | Solo, $6.99 a month billed yearly | $84 | Open UniTel Voice |
 Second-number app | Deluxe (local number), $6.99 a month billed yearly | $102.88 | Open GoDaddy Conversations (formerly Smartline) |
Sellers listing local numbers
| Seller | What it sells | Listed price | Monthly fee | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Marketplace | Local numbers | From $9 one-time | None stated | Search at Exclusive Digits |
 Marketplace | Local and toll-free | From $9.95 one-time | $2.99 a month | Search at NumberBarn |
 Number broker | Local and toll-free | From $99 one-time | None stated | Search at RingBoost |
 Number broker | Local and toll-free | From $100 one-time | None stated | Search at PhoneNumberExpert |
| 212areacode.comNumber broker | Local numbers | From $150 one-time | None stated | Search at 212areacode.com |
Some sellers and providers may pay us a referral fee. This does not affect the ranking, which uses first-year cost. How we earn
Places in the 205 area code
NANPA lists 70 rate centres for 205. Each is a local calling area that numbers are assigned to:
The centres include Surfside, Sulligent, Springville, Snead, Reform, Ragland, Pinson, Phil Campbell, Pennington, Pell City, Parrish, Panola, Oneonta, Odenville, Oakman, Needham, Nectar, Nauvoo, Moundville, Montevallo, Millport, Lynn, Livingston (sumter), Lisman, Lincoln, Leeds, Kennedy, Jemison, Jasper, Hamilton, Haleyville, Hackleburg, Guin, Graysville, Gordo, Gardendale, Flatwood, Fayette, Eutaw, Ethelsville, Double Springs, Dora, Detroit, Cordova, Columbiana, Clanton, Chelsea, Centreville, Carrollton, Carbon Hill, Calera, Butler, Brilliant, Blountsville, Birmingham, Bessemer, Berry, Ashville, Aliceville, Alabaster and 10 more.
Other related area codes
Area code 659 serves the same area and uses the same number pool. Any of these codes can provide a new number in this area, so request the one you want.
Alabama also uses the area codes 334, 251, 483, 256 and 938.
Guides to the city: area codes in Birmingham.
205 area code questions
Which area does 205 cover?
Calls to 205 ring in Birmingham, Alabama, including the area around Birmingham, AL.
Which country code applies to a 205 number?
+1. The North American Numbering Plan includes 205. When calling from abroad, dial +1 205 followed by the 7-digit number.
What time is it in the 205 area code?
Central time applies to 205.
Who uses a 205 number to call?
Anyone with a number in this code, such as homes, mobiles and local businesses, plus callers faking a local number. The number displayed on your screen shows where a 205 number was assigned, but does not identify the caller.