The 818 area code serves the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, including Burbank, Glendale, and much of the northern Los Angeles area. In service since 1984, 818 covers the “Valley” and its many studios and suburbs. If an 818 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 818 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 818 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Burbank, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood (San Fernando Valley) |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 747 |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 818 covers the San Fernando Valley and adjacent communities in the northern part of Los Angeles County, sharing the region with the 747 overlay. It sits just north of the Santa Monica Mountains that separate the Valley from central LA.
Cities and communities served by the 818 area code include:
- Burbank — the “Media Capital of the World,” home to major studios
- Glendale — one of LA County’s largest cities
- Van Nuys, North Hollywood, and Sherman Oaks — central Valley districts of Los Angeles
- Northridge, Woodland Hills, and Calabasas — western Valley communities
Because it defines the Valley, an 818 number carries a distinctive Los Angeles suburban identity valued by residents, studios, and local businesses.
A Brief History of Area Code 818
Area code 818 was created in 1984, split from 213 to serve the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley as Los Angeles grew. In 1997 the San Gabriel Valley was moved to the new 626 code, leaving 818 focused on the San Fernando Valley. To add capacity, the 747 overlay was introduced in 2009 across the same territory, bringing mandatory 10-digit dialing to the region.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 818 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 818
Because of the 747 overlay, the region requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 818-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-818-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 818 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 818 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 818 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 818 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 818 is a legitimate Los Angeles area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof the code, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local Valley line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics your own number’s first six digits, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Entertainment/casting fraud | Fake “talent agency” or audition calls requesting fees |
| 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 |
| Auto-warranty robocalls | Recorded warnings that your vehicle warranty is expiring |
How to report, block, and look up 818 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 818 borders several other Los Angeles-area codes:
- 747 — the overlay that shares the San Fernando Valley with 818
- 213 & 323 — Downtown and Central Los Angeles (see our 213 area code and 323 area code guides)
- 310 & 424 — the Westside and South Bay (see our 310 area code guide)
- 626 (Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley) and 661 (Santa Clarita/Antelope Valley)
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 818
Where is the 818 area code located?
Area code 818 covers the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, including Burbank, Glendale, Van Nuys, and North Hollywood. It operates on Pacific Time and shares its territory with the 747 overlay.
Is 818 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 818 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the San Fernando Valley.
What is the 747 area code’s relationship to 818?
747 is an overlay introduced in 2009 that covers the exact same San Fernando Valley territory as 818. New numbers may receive either code, which is why the area uses mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 818 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 818 Guides
- Is a 818 call safe? Read Is area code 818 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Los Angeles area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.