Area code 213 was one of the first three California area codes, created in 1947, and it originally covered all of southern California. Splits in 1951, 1957, 1984, 1991, and 1998 reduced its territory, and the 323 and 738 overlays now share the 213/323 region.
Quick answer
- 213 is one of the first three California area codes, assigned in 1947.
- It is part of the 213/323 region, which the 738 overlay also serves.
- Overlay 323 (split 1998, overlaid 2017) and overlay 738 (in service November 1, 2024) share the same territory.
- Local calls are dialed as 1 plus the 10-digit number.
The essentials
213 area code: quick facts
| Area code | 213 |
| Coverage | 213/323 region, shared with the 738 overlay |
| State | California |
| Standard time | UTC-8 (time.gov) |
| Assigned | 1947, one of the first three California area codes |
| Overlay codes on the same territory | 323 (created 1998, overlaid 2017), 738 (in service November 1, 2024) |
| Country code | +1 (United States) |
How 213 became a Los Angeles code
- 1947: Area code 213 is created as one of the first three codes in California, covering all of southern California.
- 1951: A split from 213 takes part of its territory.
- 1957: A split from 213 creates area code 805.
- 1984: Area code 818 is split from 213.
- 1991: Area code 310 is split from 213.
- 1998: Area code 323 is split from 213.
- 2017: The boundary between 213 and 323 is erased, and the two codes become overlays on the same territory.
- November 1, 2024: 738 goes into service as an overlay for 213 and 323.
Where area code 213 is and is not used
The codes 213, 323, and 738 share the 213/323 region, where the 738 overlay was approved in 2023. For a specific address, confirm coverage with your provider.
Area codes near Los Angeles were split off over time, including 818 (1984), 310 (1991), and 626 (1997). Because these boundaries have changed, an older listing may show a different territory than today's.
The 2017 overlay change and how it affects dialing
Before 2017, 213 and 323 had separate territories. In 2017 the CPUC eliminated the boundary between them. Since then, carriers can assign 213 numbers in the former 323 area, and 323 numbers in the former 213 area.
The change also affects dialing. Local calls in the region are dialed as 1 plus the 10-digit number, so a local call to a 213 number must include 213.
Neighboring area codes in Los Angeles County
The table shows neighboring codes and the year each was split from 213 or overlaid on it.
| Code | Relation to 213 |
|---|---|
| 213 | Original code, created 1947 |
| 323 | Split from 213 in 1998; overlay with 213 since 2017 |
| 738 | Overlay on the 213/323 region, in service November 1, 2024 |
| 310 | Split from 213 in 1991 |
| 818 | Split from 213 in 1984 |
| 626 | Split from 818 in 1997 |
Overlay codes that share 213's territory
An overlay adds a new area code to the same geographic area, so existing numbers do not change. Two codes now share the 213/323 region with 213:
- 323 (1998): split from 213. The 2017 change made it an overlay with 213.
- 738 (November 1, 2024): an overlay approved by the California Public Utilities Commission on March 16, 2023.
Because the codes overlap, two neighbors on the same block can have different area codes. The area code does not show which building or floor a number belongs to.
| Code | Added | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | 1947 | 213/323 region |
| 323 | 1998, overlay from 2017 | Same territory as 213 |
| 738 | November 1, 2024 | Same territory as 213 and 323 |
The 738 overlay: what changed in 2024
Area code 738 was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission on March 16, 2023, as an overlay on the 213/323 area code. It went into service on November 1, 2024. Its territory is the same as 213 and 323, so a new number in the area may carry any of the three codes.
As an overlay, 738 does not change existing 213 numbers.
How to dial a 213 number
North American numbers have three parts: a country code, a three-digit area code, and a seven-digit local number. Within the United States you dial the area code and number, and in the 213/323/738 region local calls also take a leading 1 (see below). From outside the country, you dial the country code first.
For local calls in the 213/323/738 region, the CPUC says callers dial 1 plus the 10-digit number, so the area code is always included. Set your phone system to send 1 plus the full 10-digit number for these calls.
What a 213 number means in practice
Three situations come up often for Los Angeles businesses. The first is a caller from outside the territory. Callers from outside the 213/323/738 region may be on other codes, such as 310, 818, or 626. A 213 number does not reveal where the caller is, so the code should not decide who answers.
The second is a team that holds both 213 and 323 numbers. Because the codes overlap, one queue or IVR should accept calls from both, and routing rules should follow the team, not the prefix.
The third is the customer record. Store numbers in full 10-digit form. Matching by area code alone would treat a 213 number and a 323 number at the same customer as different people.
Using a 213 number for business
A 213 number was assigned in the 213/323 region, but it does not show where your staff are. A business can run its phone system from any location and route 213 calls to whichever team is on duty.
Since 2017, a 213 number can also be assigned in the former 323 area, and 738 numbers share the same territory. When you ask your provider for a number, ask which code you will receive, rather than assuming the prefix tells customers where you are.
Important: Confirm availability with your provider before you plan a campaign or print a number on materials.
Before you use a 213 number
- Confirm the number and its code (213, 323, or 738) with your provider, and get the terms in writing.
- Ask who owns the number and whether it can be moved to another provider if you switch.
- Route 213, 323, and 738 calls to the same team when they serve the same customers.
- Set the dialer and phone system to dial 1 plus 10 digits for local 213 calls, as the CPUC describes for the region.
- Store and match customer numbers in full 10-digit form, not by area code.
- Plan for caller ID. A local number does not prove who is calling, and caller ID can be faked.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is the 213 area code for?
Area code 213 is one of the first three California area codes, created in 1947. It is part of the 213/323 region, which the 738 overlay also serves. For a specific address, confirm coverage with your provider.
Is area code 213 being split or replaced?
No new split from 213 is listed in the sources checked. The last split from 213 was 323 in 1998. In 2017 the CPUC eliminated the boundary between 213 and 323, making them overlays. Area code 738 was added as a further overlay, in service since November 1, 2024.
What time zone is area code 213 in?
Standard time is UTC-8 (time.gov). Daylight time starts at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and ends at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in November (NIST).
Does a 213 number mean the business is downtown?
Not necessarily. 213 is one of three codes in the 213/323/738 region, and since 2017 its numbers can also be assigned in the former 323 area. A 213 number shows the territory where the number was assigned, not where the business or its staff are.
Can a 213 caller ID be trusted?
Not by itself. The FTC warns that scammers fake caller ID to seem local and trusted, and advises not to rely on caller ID to verify who is calling.
Sources · reviewed October 2026
New 738 Area Code Coming to the 213-323 Region, CPUC
Used for the 738 approval date (March 16, 2023), the November 1, 2024 in-service date, and the dialing rule of 1 plus 10 digits for local calls.
Used for the 1947 origin, the years of the 1951, 1957, 1984, 1991, and 1998 splits, the 2017 boundary elimination, and the 805 area code in 1957.
Scammers can fake caller ID info, FTC Consumer Alert
Used for the caller ID spoofing explanation, the advice not to rely on caller ID to verify who is calling, and the advice to hang up and check official contact information.
Used for the U.S. daylight saving time rule: it begins at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. The standard-time offset (UTC-8) comes from time.gov.