The 512 area code is the area code of Austin, the capital of Texas. It also covers the fast-growing cities around Austin, and it shares the area with the 737 area code.
This guide explains where 512 is, which counties it serves, its time zone, how it shrank from a huge slice of Texas to the Austin area, and how to deal with unknown 512 calls.
512 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Texas |
| Location | Austin and the surrounding Central Texas counties |
| Time zone | Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | 1947 |
| Type | Original geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 737 (overlay since July 2013) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 512 Area Code Located?
Area code 512 is located in Central Texas. Main cities include:
- Austin
- Round Rock
- Cedar Park
- Georgetown
- Pflugerville
- San Marcos
It serves Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet and Milam counties.
What Time Zone Is the 512 Area Code In?
Austin is on Central Time.
- Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6, in winter
- Central Daylight Time (CDT), UTC-5, from mid March to early November
That makes it one hour behind New York and two hours ahead of Los Angeles. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 512 Area Code
- October 1947: 512 is created as one of the original area codes. At first it covers a large part of central and southern Texas.
- 1992: the western portion, including San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley, becomes 210.
- February 13, 1999: the southern portion, including Corpus Christi, becomes 361.
- June 2013: ten-digit dialing becomes mandatory in the Austin area.
- July 2013: 737 is introduced as an overlay.
After the 1999 split, 512 was left with Austin and its neighbors. The overlay in 2013 meant nobody had to give up a 512 number.
512 and 737
Both codes cover the same cities. Long-time residents and older businesses mostly have 512 numbers. People who moved to Austin in the last decade often have 737, or they kept the number from wherever they lived before. That is why you will meet plenty of Austin locals with out-of-state area codes.
How to Dial a 512 Number
Because more than one area code can serve the same streets, always dial the full ten-digit number.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 512 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 512 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 512 a Scam?
Austin is home to the state government, a large university and many technology companies, so legitimate calls from 512 are common. It is also a popular code for spoofed calls that pretend to come from a tech company or a state agency.
Watch for these warning signs:
- A recorded voice that says an account is locked or suspended
- A caller who wants payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto
- A text with a link about a delivery, a toll or a refund
- A request for a one-time code that was just sent to your phone
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 512 call
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. A real caller leaves a message.
- Look up the company and call the number on its website.
- Block the number on your phone.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 512 Phone Number
A local 512 number helps a business look established in Austin.
- Carriers: new lines in the Austin area receive 512 or 737 depending on supply. 737 is more likely.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 512 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 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 512
| 737 | Same area as 512 |
| 210, 726 | San Antonio |
| 830 | New Braunfels, Kerrville and the Hill Country |
| 254 | Waco, Killeen, Temple |
| 979 | College Station, Bryan |
| 361 | Corpus Christi, Victoria |
Related guides: 210 area code for San Antonio, 214 area code for Dallas, 832 area code for Houston.
512 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 512?
Austin, Texas. It also covers Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville and San Marcos.
Is 512 only Austin?
No. It serves seven Central Texas counties around Austin.
What is area code 737?
It is the overlay for the 512 area and has been in use since July 2013.
What time zone is 512?
Central Time.
Is 512 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 512 area code covers Austin and Central Texas on Central Time. It has existed since 1947 and has shared its area with 737 since 2013. Screen unknown calls and call back only when the message is real.
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