Area code 213 covers Los Angeles and surrounding areas in California. It is one of the original 86 area codes established by AT&T in 1947. Today it shares its territory with overlay codes 323 and 738. For the full picture, see all California area codes.
| State | California |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Los Angeles |
| Cities also served | Los Angeles (Downtown, Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, Westlake, Pico-Union, Chinatown, Boyle Heights, parts of South LA), Bell, Huntington Park |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC-8 / UTC-7 DST) |
| Year established | January 1, 1947 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | Yes |
| Overlay codes | 323, 738 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
History of Area Code 213
Area code 213 is one of the 86 original area codes created by AT&T in 1947, when the first nationwide numbering plan went into effect on January 1 of that year. It was assigned to California as part of the initial map that divided the United States and Canada into geographic dialing regions.
Since its activation, the geographic area covered by 213 has been reshaped by the following splits:
- 1951 — area code 714 split off to cover most of southern California south and east of LA — San Diego and most of Orange County
- 1957 — area code 805 split off to cover Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern, and San Luis Obispo counties — restricting 213 to Los Angeles County
- 1984 — area code 818 split off to cover the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley, on January 7, 1984 — making LA one of the first US cities split across two NPAs
- 1991 — area code 310 split off to cover West Los Angeles and the South Bay, on November 2, 1991
- 1998 — area code 323 split off to cover Hollywood, East LA, Bell, Huntington Park, and the surrounding mid-city ring — on June 13, 1998, the fifth and final split of 213 (reunified with the 213 overlay complex in 2017)
Overlay codes have been added to the same geographic territory in:
- 2017 — area code 323 activated as an overlay
- 2024 — area code 738 activated as an overlay
Cities and Areas Served by 213
Area code 213 serves downtown Los Angeles and adjoining central LA neighborhoods, plus several southeast LA County cities, including the following cities and communities:
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Browse 213 Numbers →- Los Angeles (Downtown, Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, Westlake, Pico-Union, Chinatown, Boyle Heights, parts of South LA)
- Bell
- Huntington Park
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 323, 738, 310, 424, 818, 747, 626, 562.
Overlay Codes for 213
Area code 323 shares the same geographic territory as 213 (added in 2017). New phone numbers in the region may be assigned either code.
Area code 738 shares the same geographic territory as 213 (added in 2024). New phone numbers in the region may be assigned either code.
Because multiple area codes serve the same area, ten-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls. A call from any of these codes originates from the same geographic region in California.
The Cultural Weight of a 213 Number
Area code 213 was one of the three original area codes assigned to California in October 1947 — alongside 415 (central California) and 916 (northern California) — and it originally covered the entire southern half of the state, from the Central Coast down to the Mexican border. It has since been split five times, more than any other original California code: in 1951 (714 for San Diego and Orange County), 1957 (805 for the central coast and Kern County), 1984 (818 for the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys), 1991 (310 for West LA and the South Bay), and finally 1998, when 323 was carved out for everything around downtown LA. After the last split 213 served only the central business district and adjoining neighborhoods — a few square miles compared to its original tens of thousands. In 2017 the California Public Utilities Commission formally eliminated the boundary between 213 and 323 and reunified the two codes as an overlay complex.
The 213 reduction has the historical irony common to original area codes in big metros: the digits whose original assignment recognized the city as the country’s preeminent Pacific metropolitan area now cover only its downtown core. Within that core, 213 has functioned as a culturally heavy marker analogous to Manhattan’s 212 — referenced in hip-hop (Snoop Dogg’s group 213, named for the code), film (the LA Times offices, USC’s surrounding area, and the entertainment district landmarks all carry 213), and a long-running prestige market for vanity 213 numbers. The 738 overlay, activated in November 2024, became the third active code in the 213/323/738 complex and the first new Southern California overlay in over a decade.
How to Get a Phone Number with Area Code 213
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 213 area code, each suited to a different need:
- Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 213 number directly, often with a one-time fee and ownership transferred to you (no recurring carrier fees). This is the option for picking a specific memorable number, or for getting an area code that most carriers won’t let you request. Browse our 213 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 213 number on request, especially for active overlay codes. You won’t usually get to pick the specific number, but you’ll get a working line in the area code. This is the cheapest option for anyone who doesn’t need a particular number.
- Port an existing 213 number. If you already have a 213 phone number with another carrier, you can transfer it (port it) to a new service provider while keeping the number. This works for landlines, cell phones, and VoIP services, though landlines outside of California sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 213 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 213 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 213 numbers for Los Angeles, California — choose your number, port it to any carrier in 3–5 business days, and pay a one-time fee with no monthly charges. Browse available 213 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 213 area code still in use?
Yes. 213 is actively assigned to new phone lines in downtown Los Angeles and adjoining central LA neighborhoods, plus several southeast LA County cities.
What is the difference between 213 and 323?
Today they share the same geographic territory in California. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
Can I get a 213 number if I don't live in California?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 213 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 213 a scam area code?
No. 213 is a legitimate, active area code for downtown Los Angeles and adjoining central LA neighborhoods, plus several southeast LA County cities. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 213 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real California businesses, government offices, and residents.
Is 213 a Los Angeles area code?
Yes — 213 has covered Los Angeles since 1947, though its territory has been progressively reduced from all of southern California to (today) downtown LA and immediately adjoining neighborhoods. It was reunified with the 323 overlay in 2017.
What's the difference between 213 and 323?
Before 2017 they covered different geographic territories — 213 for downtown LA, 323 for the surrounding mid-city ring. In 2017 the CPUC eliminated the boundary and turned them into an overlay pair covering the same combined geography.
