Los Angeles, California

Where Is Area Code 213?

Area code 213 serves central Los Angeles in Southern California. It covers the downtown core of the City of Los Angeles and nearby central neighborhoods. The area lies in Los Angeles County.

Area code 213 is closely associated with Downtown Los Angeles. It covers communities such as the Civic Center, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and parts of Koreatown and surrounding central districts. The exact service area follows telephone rate center boundaries, not city neighborhood lines.

This area includes some of Los Angeles's best-known landmarks. Notable sites in the 213 area include Los Angeles City Hall, Union Station, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Crypto.com Arena, and the Los Angeles Convention Center. The area sits near the Los Angeles River and at the center of the region's transit and business networks.

History of Area Code 213

Area code 213 is one of the original North American area codes created in 1947. At first, it covered a large part of southern California, including much more than the city of Los Angeles. As phone use grew, the original 213 territory was divided many times.

Area code 213 was reduced through a series of splits, including the creation of area codes 310 in 1991, 818 in 1984, and 562 in 1997 from areas that had once been part of 213. In 2017, area code 738 was approved as an overlay for 213, but the California Public Utilities Commission later moved 213 into an all-services overlay with 323 instead. Since that change, 213 and 323 serve the same geographic area, and 10-digit dialing applies.

Key Facts About Area Code 213

• Area code 213 is in California and is most strongly associated with Los Angeles, especially Downtown Los Angeles.
• Area code 213 is in the Pacific Time Zone and follows Pacific Standard Time and Pacific Daylight Time.
• Area code 213 was one of the original area codes established in 1947 under the North American Numbering Plan.
• Area code 213 now serves a relatively small central part of the City of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County.
• Area code 213 is part of an overlay complex with area code 323, and both codes serve the same area.
• Ten-digit dialing is required in the 213 and 323 overlay area because multiple area codes serve the same geographic region.
• Major landmarks in the 213 area include Los Angeles City Hall, Union Station, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
• Major institutions in and near the 213 area include the University of Southern California, Grand Central Market, and several federal, county, and city government offices in Downtown Los Angeles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What state is area code 213 in?

Area code 213 is in California.

What major cities use area code 213?

Area code 213 primarily serves Los Angeles, especially the downtown and central parts of the city.

Is area code 213 a toll-free number?

No. Area code 213 is a geographic area code for central Los Angeles, California.