Shreveport, Louisiana, is served by area code 318. Whether you are calling a Shreveport number, verifying an unknown caller, or setting up a new local line, this guide covers every area code that serves the city, how local dialing works, the ZIP codes involved, and the scam-call patterns residents report most often.
Shreveport Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code | 318 |
| Overlay Code | None currently active |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT, UTC-6 / UTC-5) |
| Major Parishes | Caddo Parish |
| State | Louisiana |
Area Code Breakdown & Neighborhood Mapping
Shreveport sits in the Ark-La-Tex region of northwest Louisiana, which is served entirely by area code 318. A single area code has covered this area without needing a split or overlay, so a 318 number reads clearly as a local line.
Within the city, 318 covers downtown and the riverfront casino district, Highland, South Highlands, Broadmoor, and the Cross Lake area. Nearby communities in the same region include Bossier City.
Across Louisiana, 318 connects to the rest of the state through standard long-distance dialing, and every call to or from Shreveport follows the same North American Numbering Plan rules used nationwide. Knowing which code covers the city helps you spot out-of-area numbers at a glance and recognize when an incoming call may not be as local as it appears.
Local Dialing Rules & International Calling
Like the rest of the United States, Shreveport uses 10-digit dialing. Dial the area code plus the seven-digit number for local calls. For domestic long distance, add a leading 1 (1 + 318 + number). To call Shreveport from another country, dial your country’s exit code, then the U.S. country code +1, then the area code and the local number. Mobile users can enter +1 318 directly. Three-digit services such as 911 for emergencies and 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are always dialed directly, with no area code required.
Major ZIP Codes in Shreveport
Shreveport ZIP codes run from 71101 through the 71119 range, including 71101 (downtown), 71104 and 71105 (Highland and South Highlands), 71106 (southeast), and 71107 and 71108 (north and west).
Cell Phones & Number Portability
Thanks to federal number portability, a 318 number no longer proves the caller is currently in Shreveport. Residents who move away often keep their mobile numbers, and newcomers frequently arrive with codes from other states. New local service is typically assigned a 318 number, but the reliable habit is to dial all ten digits every time and to judge callers by who they are rather than by the area code they display.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Shreveport
Shreveport residents report the same robocall trends seen across Louisiana. Watch for these patterns:
- Neighbor spoofing: Scam calls that fake a 318 prefix so the number looks local. Screen unfamiliar callers even when the area code matches.
- Utility shutoff threats: Callers posing as the power or water company demanding immediate payment by gift card or wire. Real utilities never work this way.
- Government impersonation: Fake IRS, Social Security, or county “warrant” calls pressuring you to pay to avoid arrest.
- Local angle: With riverfront casinos nearby, Shreveport residents report frequent gambling-winnings and prize scams that ask for ‘taxes’ or ‘fees’ to be paid up front by gift card.
- Auto-warranty and Medicare pitches: High-volume robocalls seeking personal, financial, or insurance details, often using a recorded voice and a callback number.
Let unknown calls go to voicemail, never share financial information with an inbound caller, and report unwanted calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code does Shreveport use?
Shreveport uses area code 318.
Do I have to dial the area code for local calls?
Yes. Shreveport uses 10-digit dialing, so include the area code even for calls within the city.
What parish is Shreveport in?
Shreveport is located in Caddo Parish.
What time zone is Shreveport in?
Shreveport observes Central Time (CT, UTC-6 / UTC-5).
How do I call Shreveport from another country?
Dial your exit code, then +1, then 318 and the seven-digit local number.
Does the area code affect the cost of a call?
No. Call costs depend on your calling plan, not on the 318 area code. Most U.S. mobile and landline plans include nationwide calling, so reaching a Shreveport number is treated the same as any other domestic call.
Can I keep my phone number if I move to Shreveport?
Usually yes. Federal number portability lets you keep an existing mobile number when you relocate, which is why many Shreveport residents carry numbers with area codes from other cities or states.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.