Quick answer: The 334 area code covers central and southeast Alabama — anchored by Montgomery and reaching from Selma through Auburn-Opelika down to Dothan. Two things changed in 2026: 10-digit dialing became mandatory on January 23, 2026, and a brand-new overlay, area code 483, goes into service February 26, 2026 on the same map. Your existing 334 number does not change. The region has run on Central Time since the code split from 205 on January 15, 1995.
334 area code: what's changing in Alabama
If you live or do business around Montgomery, Dothan, or Auburn, your dialing habits just changed. As of January 23, 2026, every local call in the region must be dialed with all ten digits — area code included.
And there is more on the way. A new area code, 483, is being added on top of the existing region. That is a significant shift for a code that has served central and southeastern Alabama for three decades.
Here is a clear breakdown of what the 334 area code covers, what is changing, and what you actually need to do.
The short version
Two things matter for 2026. First, ten-digit dialing is now mandatory for local calls in the region. Second, a new overlay code, 483, is being introduced for the same geographic area.
Your existing phone number does not change. You keep your number and your 334 prefix — only the dialing pattern and the pool of new numbers are affected.
Where the 334 area code covers
The 334 serves central and southeastern Alabama. It is anchored by Montgomery, the state capital, and stretches across a largely rural region toward the Georgia and Florida borders.
It does not cover Birmingham — that is the 205 and 659 region. Some older databases lump the two together, but the 334 is firmly a south-central Alabama code.
Key cities
- Montgomery — the state capital and largest city in the region.
- Dothan — the southeast Alabama hub, known as the "Peanut Capital."
- Auburn and Opelika — a university and technology corridor.
- Selma — a historic civil rights landmark.
- Prattville, Enterprise, and Troy — surrounding communities.
Counties and time zone
The code spans roughly 30-plus mostly small and mid-size counties. Montgomery, Houston, Lee, Elmore, and Russell counties hold the largest populations. The whole region runs on Central Time — UTC-6 in standard time and UTC-5 during daylight saving.
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A short history of the 334
The 334 went into service on January 15, 1995, splitting off from Alabama's original 205 code. At the time, it covered a much larger southern slice of the state.
Later splits trimmed it down — 251 took the Gulf Coast in 2001, for example — leaving the 334 as the central and southeastern code it is today.
Why a new code now
After three decades, the region is running low on available number combinations. Numbering authorities projected that central office codes in southeastern Alabama would run out by early 2026. Rather than split the region again and force half of it onto a new code, regulators chose an overlay.
The new 483 area code explained
The Alabama Public Service Commission approved 483 as an all-services overlay for the 334 region. An overlay adds a second code to the same geographic area instead of dividing it.
Key dates
The overlay has an in-service date of February 26, 2026. Around that time, new phone lines and services in the region may be assigned 483 numbers instead of 334.
What an overlay means for you
Nobody's existing number changes. If you have a 334 number today, you keep it. New customers and new lines will simply start receiving 483 numbers once the supply of 334 numbers runs short.
If you are adding a line or opening a new location, claiming a 334 number sooner rather than later locks one in before the supply tightens.
What ten-digit dialing means
Since January 23, 2026, you must dial the full ten-digit number for every local call in the 334 region. Dialing just seven digits no longer connects the call.
Why the change
An overlay only works if every number in the area is unambiguous. Two codes covering the same streets means the area code is now a required part of every local call.
What to check
Update any device, system, or contact list that still stores or auto-dials seven-digit numbers. That includes:
- Speed-dial and saved contacts
- Alarm systems
- Fax machines
- PBX equipment
- Point-of-sale terminals
- Call-routing software
- Website forms
- Printed materials
The number itself stays the same — you are just adding the 334 prefix everywhere it was previously assumed.
What a local Alabama number does for business
A local number still carries weight, overlay or not. For companies serving central and southeast Alabama, a recognizable code matters.
A 334 number signals to a Montgomery or Dothan customer that you are part of their community, and local calls get answered more often than unfamiliar ones.
You do not need a physical Alabama office to hold an Alabama number — a virtual line forwards calls to your team wherever they are. My Country Mobile provisions local numbers this way, so setting up an Alabama presence is quick whether you are local or expanding in from out of state.
What to do next
The 2026 picture is simple once you break it down: dial all ten digits, expect 483 numbers to start appearing alongside 334, and know that your existing number is safe.
If you are planning new lines for the region, the smart move is to act before the 334 supply tightens. A local virtual number can be live in about five minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the 334 area code located?
Central and southeastern Alabama, anchored by Montgomery and including Dothan, Auburn, Selma, and surrounding communities. It does not cover Birmingham.
Do I have to change my 334 phone number?
No. The overlay does not change any existing number. You keep your number and your 334 prefix.
What is the new 483 area code?
It is an overlay code for the same region as the 334, with an in-service date of February 26, 2026. New lines may be assigned 483 numbers once 334 supply runs low.
Why do I have to dial ten digits now?
Because two codes now cover the same area, the area code is a required part of every local call. As of January 23, 2026, seven-digit local dialing no longer works.
What time zone is the 334 area code in?
Central Time — UTC-6 in standard time and UTC-5 during daylight saving.
When was the 334 area code created?
It went into service on January 15, 1995, after splitting from Alabama's original 205 area code.
Can I still get a 334 number for my business?
Yes, while supply lasts. A virtual 334 number gives you an Alabama presence with calls forwarded to any device.
Get a 334 number before the supply tightens
A Montgomery or Dothan presence used to mean leasing space in central Alabama. Now it's a few-minute signup — and 334 inventory is shrinking as the 483 overlay approaches.
My Country Mobile offers 334 virtual numbers with call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, SMS, and AI call transcription. Calls route to any device worldwide, and over 17,500 businesses already trust MCM with their virtual phone presence.
