The 504 area code serves Greater New Orleans, the cultural and economic heart of southeastern Louisiana. One of the original area codes assigned in 1947, 504 once covered much of the southern part of the state and now focuses on the New Orleans metropolitan core along the Mississippi River.
Quick Summary of the 504 Area Code
| Area Code | 504 |
| State | Louisiana (LA) |
| Region | Greater New Orleans |
| Major Cities | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Chalmette, Gretna, Marrero, Harvey, Terrytown |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Dialing Format | 7 or 10-digit dialing |
Geographic Coverage
The 504 area code covers the New Orleans metro, including the city of New Orleans itself, the Jefferson Parish suburbs of Metairie and Kenner, the West Bank communities of Gretna, Marrero, Harvey, and Terrytown, and St. Bernard Parish including Chalmette. It sits between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River and is bordered by the 985 area code across the Northshore and southeast.
Time Zone
The 504 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 504 number at 11:00 AM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 504 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 504 Number
Area code 504 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 (504 + the line number) always works reliably. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 504, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 504 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 504 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Chalmette, Gretna, Marrero, Harvey, Terrytown should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Entergy reps demanding payment to avoid disconnection. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for hurricane or flood damage repairs. |
| Bank Fraud Alerts | Robocalls impersonating your bank about “suspicious activity” to phish account details. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 504 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 504 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 504 Region
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Area code 504 is one of the original 86 codes established in 1947, and it once covered much of southern Louisiana before 225 (1998) and 985 (2001) were split off, leaving 504 focused on Greater New Orleans. The regional economy is famous for tourism – the French Quarter, Mardi Gras, jazz, and Creole and Cajun cuisine draw millions of visitors each year – but it is also a major shipping and industrial center. The Port of New Orleans is one of the largest in the country, and the region supports significant oil and gas, healthcare, higher education (Tulane and Loyola universities), and a growing film-production industry nicknamed “Hollywood South.”
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Looking Up a 504 Number
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To identify a 504 caller, use a reverse phone lookup service or search the full 10-digit number online. Many New Orleans businesses, government offices, and healthcare providers list their 504 numbers publicly, so a quick search often confirms a legitimate caller. 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 504, these neighboring codes are worth knowing:
- 985 – Northshore & Southeast LA / Houma
- 225 – Baton Rouge Metro
- 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 504 area code located?
The 504 area code covers Greater New Orleans, including the city of New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Chalmette, Gretna, Marrero, and Harvey.
Does 504 have an overlay?
No. The 504 area code covers the New Orleans metro on its own and currently has no overlay code.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 504?
Because 504 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 504 area code in?
The 504 area code observes Central Time (CST/CDT), like all of Louisiana.
Related 504 Guides
- Is a 504 call safe? Read Is area code 504 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the New Orleans area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.