The 225 area code serves the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, anchored by the capital of Louisiana. Created in 1998 when it split from 504, 225 covers the state capital and the surrounding parishes along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and the Acadiana region.
Quick Summary of the 225 Area Code
| Area Code | 225 |
| State | Louisiana (LA) |
| Region | Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area |
| Major Cities | Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Zachary, Baker, Prairieville, Plaquemine, Port Allen |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 225 area code covers the Baton Rouge metro, including the city of Baton Rouge and its suburbs of Zachary, Baker, and Central to the north, Denham Springs to the east, Gonzales and Prairieville to the southeast, and Port Allen and Plaquemine across the Mississippi River on the west bank. It sits in south-central Louisiana between the 504 and 337 regions.
Time Zone
The 225 area code observes Central Time (CT). Clocks follow Central Standard Time (UTC−6) in winter and shift to Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) from mid-March through early November. All of Louisiana is on Central Time. From the West Coast, this region is two hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 225 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 225 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 225 Number
Area code 225 is not part of an overlay, so it has traditionally allowed 7-digit local dialing. However, 10-digit dialing is now the recommended nationwide standard, and dialing the full 10-digit number (225 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 225, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 225 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 225 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Zachary, Baker, Prairieville, Plaquemine, Port Allen should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Threatening calls demanding immediate tax payment via gift cards or wire transfer. |
| Utility Shut-off | Impostors claiming to be Entergy threatening to cut power. |
| Student Loan Scam | Calls offering fake loan forgiveness to LSU and Southern University students for a fee. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for hurricane or flood damage repairs. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 225 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (Entergy or Cleco) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 225 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 225 Region
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Area code 225 was created in 1998, split from 504, to serve the growing Baton Rouge region. As the state capital, Baton Rouge is the center of Louisiana government, and it is home to Louisiana State University (LSU) and Southern University. The regional economy is dominated by the petrochemical industry – the stretch of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans hosts one of the largest concentrations of chemical plants and refineries in the country, including a massive ExxonMobil complex. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge, healthcare, and higher education round out one of the most industrially significant economies in the South.
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Looking Up a 225 Number
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To identify a 225 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, government offices, and universities across the Baton Rouge area publish their 225 numbers widely, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Louisiana is served by five area codes. If you are researching 225, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 504 – Greater New Orleans
- 985 – Northshore & Southeast LA / Houma
- 337 – Southwest LA / Lafayette & Lake Charles
- 318 – Northern & Central LA / Shreveport
You can also browse our full directory of Louisiana area codes for more regional guides.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Louisiana:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 225 area code located?
The 225 area code covers the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, including Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Zachary, Baker, Prairieville, and Port Allen.
Does 225 have an overlay?
No. The 225 area code covers the Baton Rouge metro on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 225?
Because 225 has no overlay, 7-digit local dialing has historically worked, but dialing the full 10 digits is now the recommended standard and always works.
What time zone is the 225 area code in?
The 225 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Louisiana.
Related 225 Guides
- Is a 225 call safe? Read Is area code 225 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Baton Rouge area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.