Direct answer
Area code 213 serves central Los Angeles and the combined 213/323 territory in California. It is in the Pacific Time, and ten-digit dialing is required there.
Facts
| Area code | 213 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Region | central Los Angeles and the combined 213/323 territory |
| Time zone | Pacific Time |
| Overlays | 213/323/738 |
| In service since | 1947 (NANPA tool date: 1 January 1947) |
| Dialing rule | Yes — ten-digit dialing is required in this overlay area. |
Areas covered
The 213 footprint covers Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Bell, Huntington Park, Beverly Hills, Glendale, Pasadena, West Hollywood, and Inglewood. That list describes the area the code serves today, not the larger territory it may have covered when it was first assigned. California is entirely in the Pacific Time Zone for this footprint. Callers in this area should always dial the full ten-digit number, including the area code, even for a local call.
History
Area code 213 is an original 1947 code and one of California’s first three codes, covering most of southern California at launch. Area code 323 split from 213 in June 1998. The boundary between 213 and 323 was then eliminated in 2017, turning the two codes into an overlay complex for the same territory. Area code 738 was added as a further overlay, in service in November 2024 after California Public Utilities Commission approval in March 2023. The exact day of the 2017 boundary elimination is not stated here, because the research draft flagged it as unverified.
Dialing
Dialing rule: Yes — ten-digit dialing is required in this overlay area. The reason is the overlay structure in the facts table above, except where this page states a different reason, as it does for 616. From outside the United States, the country code for the United States is 1, followed by the area code and the local number. This page explains the area code only; it does not identify who owns a number or where a phone is.
Calls and spoofing
A call that shows a familiar area code is not proof of who is calling. Caller ID can be spoofed, so a number that looks local may come from anywhere. Do not share personal or financial details because of the number on the screen, and hang up and call back on a number you trust if a caller asks for money, codes, or account access. This site does not identify callers or phone owners, and it does not list reported spam numbers.
Related codes
323, 738 (overlays); 310 (Batch 1, also Los Angeles County).
Frequently asked questions
Where is 213 area code?
Area code 213 is in California, covering central Los Angeles and the combined 213/323 territory. It does not cover the whole state.
What time zone is 213 area code?
Area code 213 is in the Pacific Time. California is entirely in the Pacific Time Zone for this footprint.
What area codes overlay 213?
The overlay codes for 213 are 323; 738. The full overlay group is 213/323/738. New numbers in the same territory can carry any code in the group.
Is 213 area code a scam?
No area code is itself a scam. Scammers can spoof any area code, including this one, so judge a call by what the caller asks for, not by the number shown. This site does not identify callers.
When did 213 area code go into service?
Area code 213 has been in service since 1947 (NANPA tool date: 1 January 1947).
Sources
NANPA area code search; Area codes 213, 323, and 738
Based on a recent search of NANPA and official sources.
This website provides general information about North American area codes, compiled from public sources including NANPA. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC, NANPA or any telephone carrier. Area code details can change; confirm with your carrier or the official NANPA website. This site does not identify callers or phone owners.