The 562 area code covers Long Beach and the southeastern part of Los Angeles County, California. Lakewood, Downey, Whittier and Norwalk are in it, along with a small piece of Orange County. It has no overlay.
Here is where 562 is used, the time zone, the unusual story of how the code was created and what to do about unknown 562 calls.
562 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | California |
| Location | Long Beach and southeastern Los Angeles County |
| Time zone | Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | January 25, 1997 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Overlay | None |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 562 Area Code Located?
Area code 562 is located on the border of Los Angeles County and Orange County. Main cities:
- Long Beach
- Lakewood
- Downey
- Whittier
- Norwalk
- Paramount
- Pico Rivera
It also includes Seal Beach and Los Alamitos and parts of La Habra and Brea in northern Orange County.
What Time Zone Is the 562 Area Code In?
Long Beach 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 makes it three hours behind New York and two hours behind Chicago. A quick time check saves you from calling someone at dinner or before breakfast.
History of the 562 Area Code
- 1947: Southern California is covered by 213.
- November 2, 1991: the Westside, the South Bay and the Long Beach area are split from 213 as 310.
- January 25, 1997: the eastern part of 310 is split off as 562.
- October 2021: ten-digit dialing becomes required because of the new 988 crisis line.
The parent code is covered in our 310 area code guide.
The Code That Was Meant for Cell Phones
In 1995, California regulators planned to use 562 in a different way. It was going to be an overlay across the 310 area, reserved only for cell phones and pagers. Wireless companies objected and took the matter to court. The plan was dropped, and 562 was introduced in 1997 as an ordinary geographic split instead.
How to Dial a 562 Number
Local calls in this area are dialed with the area code included.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 562 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 562 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 562 a Scam?
A 562 call is usually a local resident or business. Long Beach has one of the busiest container ports in the country, so shipping, trucking and customs companies also call from 562 numbers.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Fake bank or card fraud alerts that ask for your PIN or passcode
- Calls about Medicare, health insurance or a car warranty you never asked about
- Messages that claim a family member is in trouble and needs money
- Pressure to stay on the line and act right now
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 562 call
- Hang up as soon as a call feels wrong. You do not owe a stranger an explanation.
- Verify the caller through an official number, not the one they give you.
- Block the number.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 562 Phone Number
You do not have to live in Long Beach to use a 562 number.
- Carriers: any new line in the Long Beach area gets a 562 number, since it is the only code there.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 562 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 562
| 310, 424 | Torrance, the South Bay and the Westside |
| 714, 657 | Anaheim, Huntington Beach |
| 213, 323, 738 | Central Los Angeles |
| 626 | Pasadena, West Covina |
| 949 | Irvine, Newport Beach |
Related guides: 310 area code for the Westside and South Bay, 626 area code for the San Gabriel Valley, 949 area code for Orange County.
562 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 562?
Long Beach, California. It also covers Lakewood, Downey, Whittier and Norwalk.
Is 562 in Los Angeles County or Orange County?
Mostly Los Angeles County, with a small part of northern Orange County.
Does 562 have an overlay?
No. It is the only area code for its region.
What time zone is 562?
Pacific Time.
Is 562 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 562 area code covers Long Beach and southeastern Los Angeles County on Pacific Time. It has been in service since 1997. Verify unknown callers before you share anything.
