Area Code 817: Fort Worth, Texas Coverage & History

Area code 817 covers Fort Worth and surrounding areas in Texas. It was activated in 1953 as an overlay of area code 915. Today it shares its territory with overlay code 682. For the full picture, see all Texas area codes.

History of Area Code 817

Area code 817 was activated on January 1, 1953 in connection with area code 915. The decision was driven by population growth and the exhaustion of available phone numbers in the original numbering plan area.

Since its activation, the geographic area covered by 817 has been reshaped by the following splits:

• 1953 — area code 817 split off to cover Area code 817 was created from the eastern half of original code 915, serving the Fort Worth region and much of north-central Texas.
• 1997 — area code 940 split off to cover Three-way split on July 25, 1997: the northern portion of 817 including Wichita Falls and Denton was assigned area code 940.
• 1997 — area code 254 split off to cover Three-way split on July 25, 1997: the southern portion of 817 including Waco, Temple, and Killeen was assigned area code 254.

Overlay codes have been added to the same geographic territory in:

• 2000 — area code 682 activated as an overlay

Cities and Areas Served by 817

Area code 817 serves Fort Worth and the western Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, including Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Hood, and Wise counties, including the following cities and communities:

• Fort Worth
• Arlington
• Mansfield
• North Richland Hills
• Haltom City
• Euless
• Burleson
• Weatherford

Nearby area codes covering the same broader region include: 682, 940, 254, 214, 972, 469.

Overlay Codes 817

Area code 682 shares the same geographic territory as 817 (added in 2000). 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 817 Number

Area code 817 was carved out of the sprawling original code 915 on January 1, 1953, to serve the rapidly growing Fort Worth region of north-central Texas. For more than four decades it covered a vast swath of the state, stretching from the Metroplex westward. By July 25, 1997, explosive growth in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex forced a three-way split: the northern tier became 940 (Wichita Falls, Denton) and the southern tier became 254 (Waco, Killeen), leaving 817 anchored firmly around Tarrant County and Fort Worth. Even the trimmed-down footprint proved insufficient as wireless and internet-era demand accelerated, and on October 7, 2000, overlay code 682 was introduced to share the exact same territory — making ten-digit dialing mandatory throughout the region. As of a 2023 NANPA exhaust analysis, a third area code is not projected to be needed in the western Metroplex until approximately 2038.

The 817 area code is inseparable from Fort Worth’s identity as ‘Cowtown’ — the last major city on the Chisholm Trail and home to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, where twice-daily longhorn cattle drives still roll down Exchange Avenue past the historic Cowtown Coliseum (site of the world’s first indoor rodeo) and Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk at 127,000 square feet. The Cultural District anchors a second identity: the Kimbell Art Museum, widely regarded as one of the finest mid-size art museums in the country, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth sit blocks apart, while Bass Performance Hall draws opera, ballet, and major touring acts to its acoustically acclaimed auditorium. The TCU Horned Frogs play Big 12 football in the 817, and the area shares the Dallas Cowboys (AT&T Stadium, Arlington) and Texas Rangers (Globe Life Field, Arlington) with neighboring codes 214 and 972, reinforcing the Metroplex’s claim as one of the premier sports markets in the American South.

How to Get a Phone Number with Area Code 817

There are three ways to get a phone number with the 817 area code, each suited to a different need:

1. Buy from a premium-number specialist. Companies that hold curated inventories of specific area codes can sell you a 817 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 817 inventory.
2. Sign up with a VoIP carrier. Voice-over-IP services (such as Google Voice, OpenPhone, Grasshopper, and many others) can typically provision a 817 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.
3. Port an existing 817 number. If you already have a 817 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 817 numbers due to 911 routing rules.

Looking for a 817 number? 212areacode.com offers premium 817 numbers for Fort Worth, 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 817 numbers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 817 area code still in use?
Yes. 817 is actively assigned to new phone lines in Fort Worth and the western Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, including Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Hood, and Wise counties.

What is the difference between 817 and 682?
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 817?
Area code 817 is an overlay of 915. Both codes serve the same region of Texas.

Can I get a 817 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 817 number from anywhere in the world. The number routes to whatever device or carrier you specify.

Is 817 a scam area code?
No. 817 is a legitimate, active area code for Fort Worth and the western Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, including Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Hood, and Wise counties. Like any area code, scammers occasionally spoof 817 caller IDs, but the code itself is heavily used by real Texas businesses, government offices, and residents.

What cities does the 817 area code serve?
Area code 817 primarily serves Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Euless, Burleson, Granbury, Weatherford, and other communities across Tarrant, Parker, Johnson, Hood, and Wise counties in the western Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex.

Does the 817 area code require ten-digit dialing?
Yes. Because 817 shares its territory with overlay code 682, all calls within the 817/682 numbering plan area require ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number).

When was area code 682 added as an overlay to 817?
Area code 682 was placed into service as an overlay on October 7, 2000, after the 817 region neared number exhaustion due to rapid growth in wireless and internet services following the 1997 three-way split.

Is 817 one of the original 1947 area codes?
No. Area code 817 was created in 1953 from the eastern portion of area code 915, which was one of the original 1947 codes assigned to northern Texas.

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