The 337 area code serves southwestern Louisiana, the heart of Acadiana, including Lafayette and Lake Charles. Created in 1999 when it split from 318, 337 covers Cajun and Creole country from the Atchafalaya Basin west to the Texas border.
Quick Summary of the 337 Area Code
| Area Code | 337 |
| State | Louisiana (LA) |
| Region | Southwest Louisiana (Lafayette & Lake Charles) |
| Major Cities | Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Sulphur, Opelousas, Abbeville, Crowley, Jennings |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 337 area code covers southwest Louisiana, centered on Lafayette – the unofficial capital of Acadiana – and Lake Charles near the Texas line, and including New Iberia, Abbeville, Crowley, and Opelousas in the central Acadiana parishes, and Sulphur and Jennings to the west. It borders Texas and the Gulf of Mexico across this culturally distinct region.
Time Zone
The 337 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 337 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 337 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 337 Number
Area code 337 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 (337 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 337, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 337 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 337 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Sulphur, Opelousas, Abbeville, Crowley, Jennings should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers impersonating the IRS and threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Entergy callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for hurricane damage repairs after Gulf storms. |
| Medicare / Health Scam | Robocalls seeking Medicare numbers under the guise of free braces or test kits. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 337 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 337 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 337 Region
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Area code 337 was created in 1999, split from 318, to serve southwest Louisiana. The regional economy is powered by oil and gas, petrochemicals, and agriculture. Lafayette is a major hub for the energy industry and home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, while Lake Charles anchors a booming petrochemical and liquefied-natural-gas sector – with large facilities operated by companies such as Sasol and Cheniere – along with casino gaming and shipping. The surrounding Acadiana parishes are famous for rice, crawfish, and sugarcane farming and for the vibrant Cajun and Creole culture, food, and music that define the region.
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Looking Up a 337 Number
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To identify a 337 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, energy companies, and government offices across Acadiana publish their 337 numbers, 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 detailed voicemail message, whereas robocallers and automated scam calls almost never bother to do so.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
Louisiana is served by five area codes. If you are researching 337, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 225 – Baton Rouge Metro
- 318 – Northern & Central LA / Shreveport
- 504 – Greater New Orleans
- 985 – Northshore & Southeast LA / Houma
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 337 area code located?
The 337 area code covers southwest Louisiana, including Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Sulphur, Opelousas, Abbeville, Crowley, and Jennings.
Does 337 have an overlay?
No. The 337 area code covers southwest Louisiana on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 337?
Because 337 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 337 area code in?
The 337 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Louisiana.
Related 337 Guides
- Is a 337 call safe? Read Is area code 337 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Lafayette area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.