The 903 area code serves Northeast Texas, covering the Tyler, Longview, and Texarkana regions along with much of the rural country east of Dallas. Created in 1990 in a split from the Dallas-based 214 code, it is now overlaid by area code 430. If a 903 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 903 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 903 |
| State | Texas (TX) |
| Major Cities | Tyler, Longview, Texarkana, Sherman |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 430 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 903 covers a large swath of Northeast Texas, spanning Smith, Gregg, Bowie, Grayson, and many surrounding counties. It stretches from the outer edge of the Dallas metro east to the Arkansas and Louisiana borders.
Cities and communities served by the 903 area code include:
- Tyler – the largest city in the region, known as the “Rose Capital of America”
- Longview & Kilgore – East Texas oil-country cities
- Texarkana – the twin city straddling the Texas-Arkansas state line
- Sherman, Denison, Paris & Marshall – established Northeast Texas communities
From the Piney Woods to the rose fields of Tyler, a 903 number reflects the small-town, rural character of Northeast Texas.
A Brief History of Area Code 903
Area code 903 was created in 1990 in a geographic split from the 214 code, taking the Northeast Texas counties as the Dallas region grew. As demand rose over the following decades, area code 430 was added as an overlay in 2013, placing a second code over the same territory and requiring mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 903 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 903
Because 903 is overlaid by 430 across Northeast Texas, the region requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code – 903-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-903-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 903 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 903 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 903 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 903 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 903 is a legitimate Texas area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 903, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted Northeast Texas 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 903 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 903 shares and borders several other Texas codes:
- 430 – the overlay that shares Northeast Texas with 903 (see our 430 area code guide)
- 214, 469 & 972 – the Dallas metro to the west, from which 903 split (see our 214 area code guide)
- 254 – the Waco area and Central Texas (see our 254 area code guide)
- 936 – the Piney Woods and Lufkin/Nacogdoches area 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 903
Where is the 903 area code located?
Area code 903 covers Northeast Texas, including Tyler, Longview, Texarkana, and Sherman. It operates on Central Time and is overlaid by area code 430.
What is the difference between 903 and 430?
There is no geographic difference. 430 is an overlay covering the exact same Northeast Texas territory as 903; it was added in 2013 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 903 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 903 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout Northeast Texas.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 903 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 903 Guides
- Is a 903 call safe? Read Is area code 903 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.