The area code 512 is located in Austin, Texas.
Area code 512 covers Austin, Texas, in the heart of Central Texas and the Hill Country. It stretches along the I-35 corridor and includes key spots like the Texas State Capitol, the University of Texas at Austin, and Lady Bird Lake on the Colorado River. This code is central to Austin’s government, education, music, and tech scenes, making it one of the best-known Texas area codes. Its location and growth give 512 phone numbers strong local recognition.
Major cities and communities in 512 include:
Established in 1947, 512 is one of the original North American Numbering Plan area codes. It once covered a wider region before splits created 210 (San Antonio) in 1992 and 361 (Coastal Bend) in 1999. To meet rising demand, the 737 overlay was added in 2013, which means 10-digit dialing is required for local calls. Today, new phone numbers in the Austin metro often use 737, while long-standing lines still feature 512.
Established: 1947; Overlay: 737 in 2013. Source: North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)
Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” and hosts major events like SXSW, which boost demand for local 512 phone numbers. The area also goes by “Silicon Hills” thanks to its growing tech community, anchored by higher education and innovation. 512/737 serves much of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, and Caldwell counties, linking neighborhoods and suburbs across the metro. If you see a 512 area code, it’s a strong signal of an Austin TX connection.