Area Code 253 – Gorj
The phone area code for Gorj is 253 (international format +40253). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 253
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Gorj
Geographic Overview
The +40 253 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Gorj County region in southwestern Romania. Gorj is part of the Oltenia historical province and is bordered by Hunedoara, Vâlcea, Mehedinți, Caraș-Severin, and Dolj counties. The county seat is Târgu Jiu, a city known for its Constantin Brâncuși sculptures, including the renowned "Endless Column" and the "Gate of the Kiss." Other significant towns within this numbering area include Motru, Rovinari, Bumbești-Jiu, Târgu Cărbunești, and Novaci. The region is economically important due to lignite mining and energy production, with several thermal power plants operating in the Jiu Valley corridor.
Dialing Formats and Usage
When calling a fixed-line subscriber in Gorj from within Romania, you must use the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The complete national format is 0 253 xxx xxx, where the subscriber number consists of six digits. For example, a local number in Târgu Jiu might be dialed as 0253 123 456 from anywhere in Romania.
For international callers, the country code for Romania is +40, and the leading trunk prefix "0" is omitted. Thus, the same number would be dialed as +40 253 123 456 from abroad. If you are calling within the same area code, you can often dial just the six-digit subscriber number, but this depends on your specific telephone service provider and whether local number portability has been implemented. Always verify with your operator if you are unsure.
Regulatory and Technical Considerations
The 253 area code is administered by the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications of Romania (ANCOM). As of the latest numbering plan updates, there are no overlay codes in Gorj; the 253 code remains the sole geographic code for the region. Subscriber numbers are six digits long, and the total length of a national significant number (NSN) is nine digits (excluding the trunk prefix). This structure aligns with ITU-T E.164 recommendations.
Fixed-line services in this area are provided by traditional PSTN operators as well as VoIP providers that offer geographic numbers. When calling from a mobile phone, you must always include the area code, even if you are physically located in Gorj. Mobile numbers in Romania use separate non-geographic prefixes (e.g., 07x) and are not affected by this area code.
For businesses, having a 0253 number signals a local presence in Gorj, which can enhance trust among regional customers. If you are planning to set up a virtual office or call center in Târgu Jiu, you can obtain a 0253 number from various telecom providers, often with advanced features like call forwarding and IVR.