The 747 area code is an overlay serving the San Fernando Valley in the Los Angeles area of California, layered over the well-known 818 code. Introduced in 2009 to supply new phone numbers, 747 covers the exact same territory as 818. If a 747 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 747 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 747 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Burbank, Glendale, North Hollywood, Van Nuys |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 818 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 747 covers the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, including the independent cities of Burbank and Glendale. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 818 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
Cities and communities served by the 747 area code include:
- Burbank – the “Media Capital of the World,” home to major film and TV studios
- Glendale – one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County
- North Hollywood, Van Nuys & Sherman Oaks – major Valley districts of the City of Los Angeles
- Northridge, Encino & San Fernando – established Valley communities
As a newer code over the entertainment-industry heart of the Valley, 747 numbers are typically assigned to residents and businesses who obtained phone service after the region’s original 818 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 747
Area code 747 was activated in 2009 as an all-services overlay on the 818 region. The 818 code split from Los Angeles’s 213 in 1984, and later gave up the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys to the new 661 code in 1999. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 818 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either 818 or 747. The Valley has used mandatory 10-digit dialing ever since.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 747 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 747
Because 747 is an overlay of 818, the Valley requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code – 747-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-747-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 747 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 747 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 747 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 747 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 747 is a legitimate California area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 747, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted Los Angeles 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 |
| Entertainment & casting fraud | Fake “talent agency” or audition calls requesting upfront fees |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a “failed delivery” with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 747 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 747 sits alongside several other Los Angeles-area codes:
- 818 – the original San Fernando Valley code that 747 overlays (see our 818 area code guide)
- 661 – Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley, split from 818 in 1999 (see our 661 area code guide)
- 213 & 323 – Downtown and Central Los Angeles (see our 213 area code guide)
- 310 – the Los Angeles Westside and South Bay (see our 310 area code guide)
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 747
Where is the 747 area code located?
Area code 747 covers the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California, including Burbank, Glendale, North Hollywood, and Van Nuys. It operates on Pacific Time as an overlay of area code 818.
What is the difference between 747 and 818?
There is no geographic difference. 747 is an overlay covering the exact same area as 818; it was added simply to supply more phone numbers as the Valley grew.
Is 747 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 747 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 747 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 747 Guides
- Is a 747 call safe? Read Is area code 747 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Los Angeles area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.