Area code 346 covers Houston and surrounding areas in Texas. It was activated in 2014 as an overlay of area code 832. Today it shares its territory with overlay codes 281 and 621 and 713 and 832. For the full picture, see all Texas area codes.
| State | Texas |
|---|---|
| Primary city | Houston |
| Cities also served | Houston, Pasadena, Sugar Land, Pearland, League City, Baytown, The Woodlands, Missouri City |
| Time zone | Central (UTC-6 / UTC-5 DST) |
| Year established | July 1, 2014 |
| Original 1947 NPA? | No |
| Parent code | 832 |
| Overlay codes | 281, 621, 713, 832 |
| Currently in use? | Yes, actively assigned |
| Ten-digit dialing required? | Yes |
History of Area Code 346
Area code 346 was activated on July 1, 2014 in connection with area code 832. The decision was driven by population growth and the exhaustion of available phone numbers in the original numbering plan area.
Overlay codes have been added to the same geographic territory in:
- 1996 — area code 281 activated as an overlay
- 1999 — area code 832 activated as an overlay
- 2014 — area code 346 activated as an overlay
- 2025 — area code 621 activated as an overlay
Cities and Areas Served by 346
Area code 346 serves Greater Houston metropolitan area, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Liberty, and Waller counties, including the following cities and communities:
- Houston
- Pasadena
- Sugar Land
- Pearland
- League City
- Baytown
- The Woodlands
- Missouri City
Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 713, 281, 832, 621.
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Browse 346 Numbers →Overlay Codes for 346
Area code 281 shares the same geographic territory as 346 (added in 1996). New phone numbers in the region may be assigned either code.
Area code 621 shares the same geographic territory as 346 (added in 2025). New phone numbers in the region may be assigned either code.
Area code 713 shares the same geographic territory as 346. New phone numbers in the region may be assigned either code.
Area code 832 shares the same geographic territory as 346 (added in 1999). 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 Texas.
The Cultural Weight of a 346 Number
Area code 346 is the fourth overlay code assigned to the Houston metropolitan area, announced by the Public Utility Commission of Texas on May 9, 2013 and placed into service on July 1, 2014. Its predecessor, area code 713, was one of the original four Texas NPAs established in 1947, covering southeastern Texas from the Sabine River to the Brazos Valley. As Houston grew into the fourth-largest city in the United States, the region cycled through successive relief codes: a geographic split in 1983 that created 409, another split in 1996 that produced 281, an overlay in 1999 with 832, and finally 346 in 2014 to head off exhaustion of the existing number pool. A fifth overlay, 621, was added to the complex on January 23, 2025, reflecting the region’s continued expansion.
The 346 footprint blankets a metro that is home to the Houston Astros, the Houston Rockets, and the Houston Texans, as well as landmarks including NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the Texas Medical Center — the world’s largest medical complex. The Houston area’s diverse neighborhoods, from Midtown and Montrose to Sugar Land and The Woodlands, all fall within the 346 overlay. The code appears in the contact lines of the energy corridor companies along Interstate 10, the shipping terminals of the Port of Houston, and the storefronts of one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country. Ten-digit dialing is required throughout the overlay complex, a practical reality of operating within a five-code metro.
How to Get a Phone Number with Area Code 346
There are three ways to get a phone number with the 346 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 346 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 346 inventory.
- Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 346 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 346 number. If you already have a 346 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 Texas sometimes can’t accept inbound ports of 346 numbers due to 911 routing rules.
Looking for a 346 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 346 numbers for Houston, Texas — 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 346 numbers →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 346 area code still in use?
Yes. 346 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Greater Houston metropolitan area, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Liberty, and Waller counties.
What is the difference between 346 and 281?
Today they share the same geographic territory in Texas. New phone lines in the area may be assigned either code. The two codes work identically for calling, billing, and service.
What is the parent area code of 346?
Area code 346 is an overlay of 832. Both codes serve the same region of Texas.
Can I get a 346 number if I don't live in Texas?
Yes. Phone numbers are no longer tied to a physical address. With VoIP service or a number broker, you can hold a 346 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.
Is 346 a scam area code?
No. 346 is a legitimate, active area code for Greater Houston metropolitan area, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Liberty, and Waller counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 346 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Texas businesses, government offices, and residents.
When did area code 346 go into service?
Area code 346 was assigned on April 27, 2013 and went into service on July 1, 2014, as announced by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
What area codes overlap with 346?
Area code 346 shares the same geographic territory with 713, 281, 832, and 621 — all serving the greater Houston metropolitan area.
Why was area code 346 created?
346 was created as an overlay to relieve pressure on the existing Houston area codes, particularly 832, whose numbering resources were approaching exhaustion due to the region’s rapid population and business growth.
Do I need to dial ten digits when calling a 346 number?
Yes. Because 346 is part of a multi-code overlay complex, ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number) is required for all local calls within the Houston area.
