Los Angeles Area Phone Codes Explained: 213, 323, 738 & More

When people look up the Los Angeles area phone code, they usually expect one number. In practice, Greater Los Angeles uses several codes that overlap by neighborhood, carrier, and when a line was assigned. The most recognized Los Angeles area phone code is 213, but it is only part of a larger picture that includes 323, 738, 310, 424, 818, and 747.

What Counts as a Los Angeles Area Phone Code?

A Los Angeles area phone code is not a single geographic marker. The City of Los Angeles sits inside Los Angeles County, and different portions of the county have been served by different numbering plan areas for decades. The CPUC describes the 213 and 323 area codes as generally serving the downtown portion of the City of Los Angeles and the surrounding cities and communities, including Alhambra, Bell, and adjacent areas.

In daily use, the code tells you which numbering plan area a phone number came from, but it does not automatically prove where the caller is physically located. Number portability, VoIP services, and mobile phones all weaken the connection between a phone code and a fixed address. Los Angeles County includes additional codes in surrounding communities, but this guide focuses on the codes most people mean when they ask about a Los Angeles area phone code.

Los Angeles Area Codes by Region

The table below summarizes the most common Los Angeles area phone codes and the parts of the region they typically serve. Coverage can vary by block, so a number with a 310 code does not always mean the same neighborhood as another 310 number.

Area code	Typical region served
213	Central Los Angeles, downtown, and some inner areas
323	Central and eastern portions of LA, plus nearby cities such as Huntington Park and Montebello
738	New overlay covering the same 213/323 territory
310	Westside, coastal LA, and South Bay communities
424	Overlay for the 310 region
818	San Fernando Valley and nearby foothill communities
747	Overlay for the 818 region

NumberBarn’s neighborhood guide goes further into which codes appear in specific areas like Santa Monica, Torrance, and the Valley.

How Overlay Area Codes Changed Local Calling

Older phone systems often used splits: a geographic area was divided, and one side kept the old code while the other received a new one. Today California uses overlays more often. An overlay adds a new area code to the same map area instead of forcing existing numbers to change. That is why Los Angeles has both 213 and 323 in central areas, and why 738 is being added to that same space.

Because overlays create multiple codes in one area, local calls require ten-digit dialing. If you try to call a nearby number with only seven digits, the call may fail. That applies even if both numbers share the same Los Angeles area phone code. Overlays also reduce the need for disruptive splits. When 738 activates, existing callers keep their digits, which is less confusing for businesses, printed materials, and personal contact lists.

Overlay codes stack new numbers over an existing map area instead of splitting it.

The 213, 323, and 738 Overlay in Detail

213 is the oldest and most iconic Los Angeles area code. It once covered a much larger area, but over time territory was moved to 310, 818, and 323. Today 213 and 323 operate side by side in central Los Angeles. As the Los Angeles Times reported, a new 738 overlay is coming to the 213/323 region because available numbers in those codes are running low.

Carriers may assign 738 to new lines, VoIP numbers, wireless accounts, and landlines once it is active. Existing 213 or 323 numbers do not change. If you see an unfamiliar 738 number, it is not necessarily spam; it may be a legitimate new local line. Number exhaustion happens when almost all possible seven-digit numbers in a code have been assigned, and the North American Numbering Plan Administrator opens a new code when needed.

310 and 424: Westside and South Bay

310 is strongly associated with Santa Monica, Malibu, Torrance, Redondo Beach, and other Westside or South Bay communities. 424 was introduced later to add more numbers to the same geography. A person or business in Santa Monica may have either 310 or 424, and both are local to the area.

Location is not perfectly tied to code because numbers can be ported to VoIP services and kept when moving. A 310 number may belong to someone who has never lived in Southern California. South Bay communities, including the Palos Verdes Peninsula, also fall within this general zone, but boundaries are not strict.

818 and 747: San Fernando Valley

818 covers the San Fernando Valley, including communities such as Burbank, Glendale, Van Nuys, Northridge, North Hollywood, and Studio City. 747 is the overlay for this region. Because 818 numbers are in demand, new lines in the Valley often get 747. The code does not change local calling or billing.

Common Misunderstandings and Troubleshooting

One misconception is that a Los Angeles area phone code confirms someone is physically in Los Angeles. With number porting and virtual numbers, a 213 or 310 number can be used anywhere in the world. That matters for privacy and security. If you are verifying an account, a local code does not prove identity or location. If a business displays a 213 number, that does not mean its office is downtown; many companies use cloud phone systems that route calls to remote employees.

Another issue is dialing. For overlay areas, always dial the area code plus the seven-digit number, and for long distance add 1. If you receive a call from an LA code, check whether it is an expected contact or a potential spam call before sharing personal information. Scammers can spoof Los Angeles area codes, so never rely on caller ID alone to trust a caller.

Some people also confuse 323 with nearby codes in Los Angeles County. The county includes several other numbering plan areas, but the core City of Los Angeles codes are the ones covered above.

How to Get a Los Angeles Area Code for SMS and VoIP

Businesses and individuals who need a local presence may choose a virtual number with a Los Angeles area phone code. VoIP providers can often assign 213, 323, 310, or other codes without requiring a physical address in that neighborhood. This is useful for customer service, freelance work, or receiving online verification codes.

If you need a number primarily for receiving SMS verification messages, see How to Receive SMS Online Without a Phone (Safely & Fast). For broader calling and team features, compare options in our Top 7 Best VoIP Service Picks for 2025. If privacy while signing up for services is the priority, a burner phone number app may be a better fit.

Not every virtual number receives short-code SMS from banks or social platforms. Check provider support before relying on a Los Angeles virtual number for account verification. If you need a number for a specific platform, test with a low-stakes account first to see whether the service accepts non-fixed VoIP numbers or requires a traditional mobile line.

A virtual number can carry a Los Angeles area code without a physical SIM.

FAQ

What is the main Los Angeles area code?

There is no single main code. 213 is the historic downtown Los Angeles code, while 323 covers nearby central areas and 738 is an overlay for the same region. Westside and South Bay use 310/424, and the San Fernando Valley uses 818/747.

Is 738 a new Los Angeles area code?

Yes. 738 is being added as an overlay to the 213/323 area in Los Angeles. It does not replace existing 213 or 323 numbers, but new lines may be assigned 738 once active.

Do I need to dial the area code when calling within Los Angeles?

Yes. Because Los Angeles has multiple overlay area codes, local calls require 10-digit dialing: area code plus the seven-digit number. For long-distance or calls from outside the US, include 1 and the country code as needed.

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