The 253 area code is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for a part of the U.S. state of Washington. It covers the southern suburbs of Seattle, including Tacoma, Kent, Federal Way, and more. The area code commenced service on April 27, 1997, as part of a three-way split of area code 206. It is the only area code that serves the Tacoma area. The time zone for the 253 area code is Pacific Time.