Area Code Atlas

540 NPA Split; Creating 276 NPA (Virginia)

Correction 540/276 NPA Split (Virginia)

NPA 276 split from 540

Area code 276 was created by splitting from area code 540 on September 1, 2001. The new code serves the southwestern corner of Virginia, including cities such as Bristol, Galax, Martinsville, and Norton. This region, the farthest western part of Virginia, was assigned to the new code, reducing the territory covered by 540, which continued to serve the remaining central and northern areas, including the New River Valley and the Virginia side of the Tri-Cities.

540/276 NPA Split - Extended Permissive For Additional Wireless Codes (Virginia)

Permissive 10-digit dialing begins in NPA 276

On April 24, 2021, permissive 10-digit dialing began in area code 276. This allowed calls to be completed using either seven or ten digits in preparation for the transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing due to the designation of 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline code.

Mandatory 10-digit dialing implemented in area code 276

On October 24, 2021, area code 276 transitioned to mandatory ten-digit dialing due to the nationwide designation of 988 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline dialing code. This change resolved conflicts with exchanges that permitted seven-digit dialing, including central office code 988 assigned within the area code.