The 713 area code is the original phone code for Houston, Texas, the largest city in the state and the fourth-largest in the nation. In service since 1947, it now shares the Houston metro with the 281, 832, and 346 overlays. If a 713 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 713 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 713 |
| State | Texas (TX) |
| Major Cities | Houston (and inner Harris County) |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 281, 832, 346 |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 713 covers the city of Houston and the inner ring of Harris County. As the founding code of the Houston region, it is concentrated in the urban core, while its overlays extend across the wider metro. Communities and districts served by the 713 area code include:
- Downtown & Midtown Houston – the business, sports, and cultural core
- The Texas Medical Center & Museum District – among the largest medical complexes in the world
- The Heights, Montrose & River Oaks – historic inner-city neighborhoods
- Bellaire, West University & inner Harris County – established close-in communities
As the original Houston code, a 713 number is prized as a mark of authentic, long-established roots in the city, much like the way 214 is valued in Dallas.
A Brief History of Area Code 713
Area code 713 was one of the original area codes created in 1947 and once covered a huge portion of southeast Texas. As Houston grew, 409 split off the Beaumont and Galveston areas in 1990, and 281 was added as a suburban code in 1996. The 281 and 713 codes were then merged into a metro-wide overlay, with 832 added in 1999 and 346 in 2014. Today all four codes overlay the Houston area under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 713 area code use Central Time (CT). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 713
Because 713 overlays the Houston area alongside 281, 832, and 346, the region requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code – 713-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-713-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 713 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 713 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 713 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 713 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 713 is a legitimate Texas area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, because 713 carries prestige as the original Houston code, scammers frequently spoof it, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Energy & utility scams | Fake power or gas shut-off threats demanding immediate payment |
| Storm & disaster relief scams | Bogus repair or FEMA-related appeals after hurricanes and floods |
How to report, block, and look up 713 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 Texas
Area code 713 shares and borders several other Texas codes:
- 281, 832 & 346 – the overlays that share the Houston metro with 713
- 409 – Beaumont, Galveston, and southeast Texas, split from 713 in 1990
- 936 – the Piney Woods region north of Houston
- 214 – the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Texas’s other major metro (see our 214 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Texas 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 Texas:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 713
Where is the 713 area code located?
Area code 713 covers the city of Houston and inner Harris County, Texas, including Downtown, the Texas Medical Center, and neighborhoods like The Heights and Montrose. It operates on Central Time.
Is 713 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 713 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Houston area.
Why is a 713 number considered prestigious?
As the original Houston area code, 713 carries strong heritage value. Available numbers are scarce, so residents and businesses often prize a 713 number as a sign of authentic, long-standing Houston roots.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 713 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 713 Guides
- Is a 713 call safe? Read Is area code 713 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Houston area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.