The 323 area code serves Central and East Los Angeles, California, wrapping around the downtown core served by 213. Created in 1998, 323 covers many of the city’s best-known neighborhoods, from Hollywood to East LA. If a 323 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 323 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 323 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Los Angeles (Hollywood, Mid-City, East LA) |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 213 |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 323 covers the ring of Los Angeles neighborhoods surrounding Downtown, along with several independent cities in southeastern Los Angeles County. It shares its central-LA territory with the 213 overlay.
Neighborhoods and communities served by the 323 area code include:
- Hollywood and East Hollywood — the historic center of the entertainment industry
- Mid-City, Koreatown edges, and the Miracle Mile — dense central LA districts
- Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Highland Park — trendy eastside neighborhoods
- East LA and Southeast cities — Montebello, Huntington Park, Bell, and Maywood
Because it blankets so much of the city outside downtown, a 323 number is strongly associated with authentic, everyday Los Angeles.
A Brief History of Area Code 323
Area code 323 was created in 1998, split from 213 as Los Angeles ran short of numbers. The split left 213 with the downtown core and assigned 323 to the surrounding central and eastern neighborhoods. In 2017, regulators expanded 213 to overlay the 323 region, so the two codes now share the same central-LA territory under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 323 area code use Pacific Time (PT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from PST (UTC−8) to PDT (UTC−7) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 323
Because of the 213 overlay, the Los Angeles area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 323-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-323-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 323 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 323 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 323 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 323 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 323 is a legitimate Los Angeles area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof the code, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local LA line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics your own number’s first six digits, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Entertainment/casting fraud | Fake “talent agency” or audition calls requesting fees |
| Government impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of “suspicious activity” seeking your account details |
| Auto-warranty robocalls | Recorded warnings that your vehicle warranty is expiring |
How to report, block, and look up 323 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in California
Area code 323 sits at the heart of the Los Angeles-area codes:
- 213 — the overlay that shares Downtown and Central LA with 323 (see our 213 area code guide)
- 310 & 424 — the Westside and South Bay (see our 310 area code guide)
- 818 & 747 — the San Fernando Valley (see our 818 area code guide)
- 626 (Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley) and 562 (Long Beach)
Explore more codes across the state on our California area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ 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 California:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 323
Where is the 323 area code located?
Area code 323 covers Central and East Los Angeles, California, including Hollywood, Mid-City, Silver Lake, and East LA. It operates on Pacific Time and shares its territory with the 213 overlay.
Is 323 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 323 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout central Los Angeles.
What is the difference between 213 and 323?
They now overlay the same central-LA territory. Historically 213 kept Downtown LA and 323 took the surrounding neighborhoods, but since 2017 both codes are issued across the shared area.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 323 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 323 Guides
- Is a 323 call safe? Read Is area code 323 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Los Angeles area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.