254 area code — Waco, TX geographic
The 254 area code covers Waco, Texas, Central time zone, and dates back to May 25, 1997. Because of number portability and VoIP, the area code tells you where the number was issued, not where the caller is right now.
NANPA lists 661 active NXX prefixes in 254, assigned to 53 carriers. 507 of those prefixes are pooled — shared between carriers in thousands-number blocks. The code spans 111 rate centers (billing localities).
Official projections put exhaust at 1Q 2032 — relief planning typically starts years ahead.
The dialing plan is 10D for home-NPA local calls and 10D across codes.
Use this page to decode where 254 numbers come from — and remember that spoofing means the screen can lie about everything except your own caution.
Its parent code is 817, which it left in 1997.
Largest localities in 254
| Locality (rate center) | Active prefixes | Also served by |
|---|---|---|
| Waco | 117 | — |
| Killeen | 86 | — |
| Temple | 46 | — |
| Hillsboro | 17 | — |
| Stephenville | 15 | — |
| Copperas Cove | 14 | — |
| Marlin | 11 | — |
| Mexia | 9 | — |
| Gatesville | 9 | — |
| Breckenridge | 9 | — |
FAQ
Where is a 254 number from?
254 is assigned to Waco and surrounding areas of Texas in the Central time zone. The three digits after the area code (the prefix) narrow it down to a rate center.
Is 254 a toll-free number?
No. 254 is a geographic code; calls are billed like any other domestic call. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Will 254 run out of numbers?
NANPA's current forecast projects exhaust in 1Q 2032, so a new overlay is likely to be planned.
Why am I getting spam calls from 254 numbers?
Scammers spoof recognizable area codes so calls look local or familiar. A displayed 254 number does not prove the call originated there — see our guide to spotting spoofed calls.