The 817 area code is the primary phone code for Fort Worth, Texas and the western half of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In service since 1953, it now shares Tarrant County and its neighbors with the 682 overlay. If an 817 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 817 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 817 |
| State | Texas (TX) |
| Major Cities | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grapevine, Mansfield |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 682 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 817 covers the western portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, centered on Tarrant County and reaching into parts of Johnson, Parker, and Denton counties. It anchors the Fort Worth side of the metroplex, complementing the 214, 469, and 972 codes on the Dallas side.
Cities and communities served by the 817 area code include:
- Fort Worth – the fifth-largest city in Texas, known for its Stockyards and cultural district
- Arlington – home to AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, between Dallas and Fort Worth
- Grapevine, Euless, Bedford & Hurst – the “Mid-Cities” between the two hubs
- Mansfield & North Richland Hills – established Tarrant County suburbs
As the original Fort Worth code, an 817 number is prized as a mark of authentic, long-established roots on the west side of the metroplex.
A Brief History of Area Code 817
Area code 817 was created in 1953 and once covered a large area of North and Central Texas. Over the decades it was trimmed as new codes were added, including 254 for the Waco area and 940 for Denton and Wichita Falls in 1997. In 2000, the 682 overlay was added across the Fort Worth region, placing a second code over the same territory and requiring mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 817 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 817
Because 817 is overlaid by 682 across Fort Worth, the region requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code – 817-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-817-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 817 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 817 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 817 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 817 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 817 is a legitimate Texas area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, because 817 is the recognizable Fort Worth 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 |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a “failed delivery” with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 817 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 817 shares and borders several other North Texas codes:
- 682 – the overlay that shares the Fort Worth area with 817 (see our 682 area code guide)
- 214, 469 & 972 – the Dallas side of the metroplex (see our 214 area code guide)
- 940 – Denton and North Texas, split from 817 in 1997
- 254 – Waco and Central Texas to the south
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 817
Where is the 817 area code located?
Area code 817 covers Fort Worth and the western Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including Arlington, Grapevine, and Mansfield. It operates on Central Time and is overlaid by area code 682.
What is the difference between 817 and 682?
There is no geographic difference. 682 is an overlay covering the exact same Fort Worth territory as 817; it was added simply to supply more phone numbers as the metroplex grew.
Is 817 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 817 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Fort Worth area.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 817 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 817 Guides
- Is a 817 call safe? Read Is area code 817 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Fort Worth area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.