Austin, the capital of Texas, is served by the 512 area code, joined in 2013 by the 737 overlay. Together they cover the city and most of Travis County. Because the two codes overlay the same area, 10-digit dialing is required for every local call.
Fast Facts: Austin Area Codes
| City | Austin, Texas |
| Primary Area Code(s) | 512 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 737 (2013) |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Major Counties | Travis (and Williamson) |
| Dialing | 10-digit required |
Area Codes in Austin – Detailed Breakdown
512 – Austin & Travis County
One of the original 1947 area codes, 512 covers the city of Austin and the surrounding Travis County core, and remains a recognizable local code.
737 – Austin overlay
Introduced in 2013 as an overlay of 512, the 737 code covers the same Austin and Travis County region and appears mostly on recently activated numbers.
Neighborhoods & District Mapping
The 512 and 737 codes cover every Austin neighborhood, including Downtown and the Capitol district, South Congress (SoCo) and South Austin, East Austin, Hyde Park and North Loop, Zilker and Barton Hills, the University of Texas campus, and the tech corridor around The Domain in North Austin. The same codes serve the fast-growing suburbs of Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville in Williamson County.
Austin is the fourth-largest city in Texas and one of the fastest-growing metros in the nation, known as a technology hub nicknamed “Silicon Hills,” home to major offices of Tesla, Apple, Dell, and countless startups, along with state government and the University of Texas. It is also the “Live Music Capital of the World” and host of South by Southwest. Explosive growth led the original 512 code to add the 737 overlay in 2013.
Local Dialing Rules & International Calls
Because 512 now shares an overlay with 737, 10-digit dialing is required for every local call in the Austin area. To call a Austin number from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then the 10-digit number (area code + seven-digit line number).
Major ZIP Codes in Austin
Austin ZIP codes run roughly 78701–78799, covering Downtown (78701), South Congress (78704), East Austin (78702), and The Domain area (78758).
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in Austin
Scammers often spoof local Austin numbers to seem trustworthy. Watch for these tactics reported across the area:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Austin Energy reps threatening to cut power unless you pay immediately by gift card. |
| Tech Recruiter / Job Scam | Fake tech-company recruiter offers seeking personal data, bank details, or upfront fees. |
| Rental / Festival Scam | Fraudulent short-term rental or SXSW/festival ticket listings that vanish after you pay. |
| IRS / Tax Scam | Callers threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes, demanding gift cards or wire transfers. |
Red Flag: The IRS, Social Security Administration, and utilities like Austin Energy will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Hang up and verify using an official number.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Nearby Texas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What area codes does Austin use?
Austin is served by the 512 area code and its 737 overlay, both covering the city and Travis County.
Do I have to dial 10 digits in Austin?
Yes. Because 512 shares an overlay with 737, you must dial the full 10-digit number for every local call.
Does 737 cover the same area as 512?
Yes. 737 is an overlay added in 2013 that covers the exact same Austin and Travis County region as 512.
What county is Austin in?
Austin is the seat of Travis County and the capital of Texas; its suburbs extend into Williamson County.
Is Austin in the same area code as San Antonio?
No. Austin uses 512 and 737, while San Antonio uses 210 and 726. The two cities sit about 80 miles apart along Interstate 35 and use separate area codes.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
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