213 Area Code: Location, Time Zone & How to Get a Number
The 213 area code belongs to Los Angeles, California. It covers downtown LA and a few nearby communities, and it follows Pacific Time.
213 is one of California’s three original area codes, created in 1947. Today it shares its territory with two overlay codes, 323 and 738. That means every call in the area needs all 10 digits.
This guide covers everything about 213 area code.
Where is Area Code 213 Located?
Area code 213 is in Los Angeles County, California. Its center is downtown Los Angeles.
In 1998, 213 was cut down to downtown LA and the neighborhoods right next to it. That included Downtown, Echo Park, South Park, Exposition Park, Westlake, Koreatown and Chinatown.
Since 2017, 213 no longer has its own border. It shares the same area with 323 and 738. So a 213 number can now belong to someone anywhere in that area, not just downtown.
The 213/323/738 region reaches into several cities southeast of downtown, including Bell, Huntington Park, Montebello, South Gate and Vernon.
What Cities and Communities Use the 213 Area Code?
| City/Community | State |
| Los Angeles | California |
| Alhambra | California |
| Bell | California |
| Bell Gardens | California |
| Commerce | California |
| Cudahy | California |
| Huntington Park | California |
| Maywood | California |
| Montebello | California |
| Monterey Park | California |
| Pasadena | California |
| Rosemead | California |
| South Gate | California |
| South Pasadena | California |
| Vernon | California |
| West Hollywood | California |
What Time Zone is Area Code 213 in?
Area code 213 serves Los Angeles and operates within the Pacific Time Zone (PT).
In winter, LA uses Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is UTC−8. In spring and summer, it uses Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), which is UTC−7.
213 vs 323 vs 738: How the Overlays Work
213, 323 and 738 all serve the same part of Los Angeles. None of them has its own border anymore.
| Code | How it started |
|---|---|
| 213 | Original code, created in 1947 |
| 323 | Created on June 13, 1998, when 213 was split |
| 738 | Overlay approved on March 16, 2023. In service since November 1, 2024 |
History of the 213 Area Code
213 has changed a lot since 1947. Here is the short version:
- 1947: California starts with three area codes: 213 (south), 415 (central) and 916 (north). 213 runs from the Mexican border to the Central Coast.
- 1950: The line between 213 and 415 moves north. Bakersfield and part of the southern Central Valley switch to 213.
- 1951: San Diego and most of Orange County get area code 714.
- 1957: 213 is limited to Los Angeles County. Most northern and western areas get 805.
- 1984: The San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley get 818.
- 1991: West LA and the South Bay get 310.
- 1998: Area code 323 is created. 213 keeps only downtown and the neighborhoods next to it.
- 2017: The border between 213 and 323 is removed. The overlay takes full effect on July 8.
- 2024: Area code 738 goes live on November 1.
So 213 shrank from most of Southern California to a small part of downtown. The 2017 overlay then brought it back to some areas that had used it for decades.
Is 213 a Scam Area Code?
No. 213 is a real Los Angeles area code. But scammers do use it. They fake, or “spoof,” caller ID so a call looks local. The real owner of that 213 number usually has no idea it is happening.
What to do if you get a suspicious 213 call or text
- Don’t reply to the text. A reply tells scammers your number is active.
- Don’t click links or share personal or account details.
- Call the company back using the number on your card or account, not the one in the message.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Why Businesses Use a 213 Number?
Los Angeles is a big market, and 213 points straight at it. Downtown LA has corporate offices, startups and creative companies. The wider area is known for entertainment, media, fashion, technology, healthcare and international trade.
i. You Don’t Need an Office in LA
A 213 number can forward calls to any phone, anywhere in the world. This allows your business to maintain a local presence with a local phone number, even without a physical office in the area.
ii. It Can Make Your Business Feel Local
Some providers say customers are more likely to answer a call from a familiar area code.
iii. It’s Popular with new Businesses
A study in 2025 named 213 the most registered area code in Los Angeles for 2024. It linked the trend to the county’s startup activity.
How to Get a 213 Phone Number?
You can get a 213 number from a virtual phone number or VoIP provider. You don’t need an office in LA.
- Choose a provider that offers Los Angeles (213) numbers.
- Search the available 213 numbers and pick one.
- Choose where calls go: your mobile, a desk phone or an app.
- Test the number from another phone before you share it.
- Add it to your website, business listings and ads.
How to Dial a 213 Number?
Calling a 213 number from within the U.S.: Enter the 213 area code followed by the seven-digit local phone number :
(213) XXX-XXXX.
Since the 2017 overlay, you need the area code even for a local call.
Calling 213 from another country Dial your country’s exit code, then 1, then 213, then the seven-digit number. On a mobile, press + instead of the exit code:
+1 213 XXX XXXX.
FAQs on Area Code 213
Q1. Is 213 toll-free?
No. 213 is a local Los Angeles code. Toll-free numbers start with 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 or 888.
Q2. Can I get a 213 number without living in LA?
Yes. A virtual or VoIP provider can give you a 213 number, and the provider forwards calls to any phone you choose. You don’t need a physical office in Los Angeles.
Q3. Is 213 the same as 323?
No, but they cover the same area. 323 was created from 213 in 1998. The two became an overlay in 2017, and 738 joined them in 2024.
Q4. Which cities use area code 213 currently?
The 213/323/738 region covers downtown Los Angeles and these nearby cities: Alhambra, Bell, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Commerce, Cudahy, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Rosemead, South Gate, South Pasadena, Vernon and West Hollywood. It also includes some unincorporated communities, such as East Los Angeles.
Many of these cities are shared with other area codes. Beverly Hills, Hawthorne, Inglewood and Lynwood are mostly served by 310. Alhambra, Pasadena and Rosemead are mostly served by 626.
Q5. What’s the most famous LA area code?
There’s no official ranking, so it depends on what you mean. 213 is the original LA code.
