The 213 area code serves Downtown and Central Los Angeles, California. As the original Los Angeles area code — one of the first in the nation, assigned in 1947 — 213 is deeply tied to the historic heart of the city. Today it covers the downtown core and surrounding central neighborhoods, overlaid by 323. If a 213 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 213 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 213 |
| State | California (CA) |
| Major Cities | Los Angeles (Downtown & Central LA) |
| Time Zone | Pacific Time (PT) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 323 |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 213 covers the central core of the City of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County. Once the code for the entire region, it now anchors Downtown LA and the dense, historic neighborhoods immediately around it, sharing this territory with the 323 overlay.
Neighborhoods and districts served by the 213 area code include:
- Downtown Los Angeles — the Financial District, Historic Core, Arts District, and Little Tokyo
- Koreatown and Westlake — among the most densely populated districts in the city
- Echo Park, Chinatown, and Boyle Heights — historic communities ringing downtown
- University Park — the area around the University of Southern California (USC)
Because it is the founding Los Angeles code, a 213 number is prized as a mark of authentic, long-established downtown LA identity for residents and businesses alike.
A Brief History of Area Code 213
Area code 213 was one of the original area codes created in 1947, and it once covered a vast portion of Southern California. Decades of growth carved off new codes — 818 for the San Fernando Valley in 1984, 310 for the Westside in 1991, and others — steadily shrinking 213’s footprint. In 1998 the surrounding central neighborhoods moved to the new 323 code, leaving 213 with the downtown core. In 2017, 323 was expanded to overlay the 213 area, so the two codes now share Downtown and Central LA under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 213 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 213
Because of the 323 overlay, the Los Angeles area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Always include the area code — 213-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-213-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 213 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 213 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 213 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 213 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 213 is a legitimate Los Angeles area code — a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, because 213 carries prestige as the original LA code, scammers frequently spoof it, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted downtown 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 |
| Utility shut-off threats | Demands for immediate payment to avoid disconnection |
How to report, block, and look up 213 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 213 sits at the center of the Los Angeles-area codes:
- 323 — the overlay that shares Downtown and Central LA with 213
- 310 & 424 — the Westside and South Bay (see our 310 area code guide)
- 818 & 747 (the San Fernando Valley) and 626 (Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley)
- 562 (Long Beach) — and, in the north, the 415 area code for San Francisco
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 213
Where is the 213 area code located?
Area code 213 covers Downtown and Central Los Angeles, California, including the Financial District, Koreatown, Echo Park, and the USC area. It operates on Pacific Time and shares its territory with the 323 overlay.
Is 213 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 213 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout central Los Angeles.
Why is a 213 number considered prestigious?
As the original Los Angeles area code, 213 carries strong heritage value. Available numbers are relatively scarce, so businesses and residents often prize a 213 number as a sign of authentic, long-standing downtown LA roots.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 213 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 213 Guides
- Is a 213 call safe? Read Is area code 213 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Los Angeles area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.