The 323 area code serves central Los Angeles. It was created for the ring of neighborhoods around downtown and now shares one area with 213 and 738. This guide explains where 323 is, the local time, the history of the code and how to handle 323 calls you do not recognize.
323 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | Central Los Angeles: Hollywood, East LA, South LA and nearby cities |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | June 13, 1998 |
| Type | Geographic area code in an overlay |
| Shares its area with | 213, 738 |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 323 Area Code Located?
Area code 323 covers a large part of central Los Angeles, including:
- Hollywood
- East Los Angeles
- South Los Angeles
- Huntington Park
- Montebello
Since 2017 the code has also covered downtown LA, because 213 and 323 were merged into one overlay area. A 323 number and a 213 number can now sit on the same street.
What Time Zone Is the 323 Area Code In?
Los Angeles is on Pacific Time.
- Pacific Standard Time (PST), UTC-8, in winter
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC-7, from mid March to early November
That puts it three hours behind New York and two hours behind Chicago. Most offices there answer between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.
History of the 323 Area Code
323 was created on June 13, 1998, when the old 213 area was split. Downtown kept 213 and the surrounding ring of neighborhoods moved to 323.
The split did not last. On July 8, 2017 the boundary was removed and 213 and 323 became an overlay for the whole area. A third code, 738, joined the same area in November 2024.
How to Dial a 323 Number
Dial all ten digits for every call in this area.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 323 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 323 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 323 a Scam?
Most 323 calls are from real people and businesses in Los Angeles. The code is also spoofed by robocallers, and fake casting or talent offers sometimes use it because of the Hollywood link. A real agency will not ask you to pay a fee to get an audition.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Someone who says they are from the IRS, Social Security or a court and demands payment
- Tech support calls about a virus on your computer
- Investment or crypto offers from a company you do not know
- Texts that ask you to click a link to fix a billing problem
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 323 call
- Let it ring out and check the voicemail.
- Search the full number online before you call back.
- Block the number and report it.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 323 Phone Number
A 323 number is easy to get, for personal or business use.
- Carriers: ask any carrier for a central Los Angeles number. You may be offered 213 or 738 as well.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 323 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 833 area code.
Area Codes Near 323
| 213, 738 | Same combined area as 323 |
| 310, 424 | Westside and South Bay: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Torrance |
| 818, 747 | San Fernando Valley: Burbank, Glendale, Van Nuys |
| 626 | San Gabriel Valley: Pasadena, El Monte |
| 562 | Long Beach, Whittier, Downey |
Related guides: 213 area code for downtown Los Angeles, 310 area code for the Westside, 626 area code for the San Gabriel Valley.
323 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 323?
Los Angeles, California. It includes Hollywood, East Los Angeles and South Los Angeles.
Is 323 the same as 213?
They are different codes that now cover the same area. The boundary between them was removed in 2017.
Is 323 a Hollywood area code?
Yes. Hollywood is one of the best-known neighborhoods in the 323 area.
Is 323 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 323 area code points to central Los Angeles. If the caller is a stranger, let voicemail take it and verify who they are before you respond.
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