The 813 area code serves Tampa and Hillsborough County, Florida, the heart of the Tampa Bay region. In service since 1953, it is now overlaid by area code 656. If an 813 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 813 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 813 |
| State | Florida (FL) |
| Major Cities | Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Riverview |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 656 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 813 covers Hillsborough County on Florida’s Gulf Coast, centered on the city of Tampa. It anchors the eastern side of the Tampa Bay metro.
- Tampa – the third-largest city in Florida and a major Gulf Coast hub
- Brandon & Riverview – fast-growing eastern suburbs
- Plant City – a Hillsborough County agricultural hub
- Temple Terrace & Carrollwood – established Tampa communities
From downtown Tampa and Ybor City to sprawling suburbs, an 813 number is closely tied to the identity of the Tampa Bay area.
A Brief History of Area Code 813
Area code 813 was created in 1953 and once covered a large part of west-central and southwest Florida. Over the decades it shrank as new codes were added, including 941 for the Sarasota area in 1996 and 727 for Pinellas County in 1998. In 2023, the 656 overlay was added over Hillsborough County, and 10-digit dialing is mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 813 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 813
Because 813 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 813-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-813-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 813 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 813 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 813 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 813 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 813 is a legitimate Florida area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 813, 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 | Fake TECO (Tampa Electric) or Duke Energy disconnection demands |
| Storm & disaster relief scams | Bogus repair or FEMA-related appeals after hurricanes |
How to report, block, and look up 813 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 Florida
Area code 813 shares and borders several other Florida codes:
- 656 – the overlay that shares Hillsborough County with 813 (see our 656 area code guide)
- 727 – Pinellas County (St. Petersburg and Clearwater), split from 813 in 1998 (see our 727 area code guide)
- 941 – the Sarasota and Bradenton area to the south (see our 941 area code guide)
- 863 – the central Florida interior to the east (see our 863 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Florida 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 Florida:
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 813
Where is the 813 area code located?
Area code 813 covers Tampa and Hillsborough County, Florida, including Brandon, Riverview, and Plant City. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 656.
What is the difference between 813 and 656?
There is no geographic difference. 656 is an overlay covering the exact same Hillsborough County territory as 813; it was added in 2023 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 813 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 813 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Tampa area.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 813 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 813 Guides
- Is a 813 call safe? Read Is area code 813 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Tampa area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.