213 Area Code: Location, Cities, Time Zone and Scam Calls (2026)

The 213 area code is the original Los Angeles area code. Today it serves downtown LA and the neighborhoods around it, sharing that area with 323 and 738. This guide covers where 213 is, the local time, how the code shrank over the years and how to treat unknown 213 calls.

213 Area Code Quick Facts

State	California
Location	Downtown Los Angeles and nearby neighborhoods
Time zone	Pacific Time (UTC-8, UTC-7 during daylight saving time)
In service since	1947 (one of the original area codes)
Type	Geographic area code in an overlay
Shares its area with	323, 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 213 Area Code Located?

Area code 213 is centered on downtown Los Angeles. It reaches nearby neighborhoods such as Koreatown, Westlake, Chinatown and Echo Park.

Since 2017, 213 and 323 have shared one combined area. That means a 213 number can also belong to Hollywood, East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles or nearby cities such as Huntington Park and Montebello.

What Time Zone Is the 213 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. Check the clock before you dial, especially if you are several time zones away.

History of the 213 Area Code

213 was one of the first area codes in 1947 and covered all of Southern California. As the region grew, the code was split again and again:

• 1951: 714 was created
• 1957: 805 was created
• 1984: 818 took the San Fernando Valley
• 1991: 310 took the Westside and South Bay
• June 13, 1998: 323 took the ring around downtown

After 1998, 213 was left with only the downtown core. On July 8, 2017 the boundary between 213 and 323 was removed and the two codes became an overlay. 738 was added to the same area in November 2024.

How to Dial a 213 Number

You need the area code for every call, even a local one.

• From the US or Canada: 1 + 213 + the seven-digit number
• From another country: your exit code + 1 + 213 + the seven-digit number

Is a Call From 213 a Scam?

Most 213 calls are from real Los Angeles homes, offices and mobile phones. Because 213 is a well-known big-city code, robocallers and fake debt collectors also spoof it.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Threats of arrest, a lawsuit or a service shut-off unless you pay today
• Offers of a prize, a loan or a job that need a fee first
• Callers who already know part of your details and ask you to “confirm” the rest
• One-ring calls that try to make you call back

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 213 call

• Do not answer numbers you do not know.
• Never share a PIN, password or passcode with someone who called you.
• Block repeat callers and turn on your carrier spam filter.
• Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
• Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).

How to Get a 213 Phone Number

Want a 213 number of your own? There are a few ways to get one.

• Carriers: ask a carrier for a central Los Angeles number. 213 numbers are scarce, so you may be offered 323 or 738.
• VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 213 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 213

323, 738	Same combined area as 213
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: 323 area code for the ring around downtown, 310 area code for the Westside, 818 area code for the San Fernando Valley.

213 Area Code FAQs

What city is area code 213?

Los Angeles, California. The code is centered on downtown LA.

Are 213 and 323 the same area?

Yes. Since 2017 the two codes have covered one shared area in central Los Angeles.

Why is 213 so well known?

It was the first area code for all of Southern California in 1947 and has stayed with central Los Angeles ever since.

Is 213 a toll-free number?

No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.

Final Word

The 213 area code is the heart of Los Angeles. If a 213 number you do not know calls, let it leave a message and verify the caller before you share any details.