The Gateway to the West, St. Louis is a historic river city on the Mississippi crowned by the soaring Gateway Arch and beloved for its Cardinals, its breweries, and its toasted ravioli. It is covered by the 314 code and its new overlay. This guide breaks down St. Louis’s 314 and 557 codes, the required 10-digit dialing, major ZIP codes, and local scam warnings.
St. Louis Area Codes at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Primary Area Code(s) | 314 |
| Overlay Area Code(s) | 557 |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – CST / CDT |
| Major County | City of St. Louis |
| Region | St. Louis Metro |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Area Code Breakdown & Regional Mapping
314 – St. Louis City Code
Area code 314 is one of the original 1947 codes and covers the city of St. Louis and its inner-ring suburbs. A 314 number is the classic mark of the urban core of the Gateway City.
557 – St. Louis Overlay
Area code 557 is the new overlay for the 314 region, layered over the same St. Louis geography. New lines in the city may be issued a 557 number, fully local to existing 314 numbers.
Neighborhoods & Local Coverage
St. Louis’s 314/557 codes cover the city and inner suburbs, from the riverfront Gateway Arch and the Downtown ballpark district to the Italian-American enclave of The Hill and the French-founded Soulard neighborhood with its historic market and Mardi Gras. The Central West End near Forest Park anchors the city’s dining and cultural scene.
Beyond the center, the same codes reach the Victorian streets of Lafayette Square, the parks and diversity of Tower Grove, the vibrant Cherokee Street and Grove districts, and the Delmar Loop straddling the University City line. The 314/557 codes tie the city of St. Louis together, while the western suburbs use a separate code, 636.
Local Dialing Rules & International Format
St. Louis and the 314 region have required 10-digit dialing since the 557 overlay was introduced — always dial the area code plus the 7-digit number. The western St. Louis suburbs, including O’Fallon and St. Charles, use area code 636.
St. Louis is in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT), like all of Missouri. To call the city from outside the United States, dial your country’s exit code, then the U.S. country code +1, followed by the 10-digit number (for example, +1 314 XXX-XXXX). From inside the U.S. and Canada, simply dial 1 before the 10-digit number for long-distance calls.
Major ZIP Codes Covered
The 314 service area spans many of St. Louis’s core ZIP codes, including 63101, 63102, 63103, 63104, 63108, 63109, 63110, 63112, 63116, and 63118.
Spam & Scam Call Warnings in St. Louis
St. Louis residents report heavy volumes of neighbor-spoofing robocalls faking a local 314 prefix. Common scams impersonate Ameren Missouri (utility shutoff), the IRS, and delivery services, along with fake-ticket scams tied to Cardinals and Blues games.
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Neighbor Spoofing | Calls that mimic a local 314 prefix to look familiar. |
| Utility / Toll Scams | Threats to shut off power or demand toll payment via gift cards. |
| IRS / Government | Robocalls claiming legal action — agencies never call to demand instant payment. |
Red flag: Any caller who pressures you to pay immediately with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency is almost certainly running a scam. Hang up and verify through an official number.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State for every code across the country.
Nearby & Related Missouri Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What area code is St. Louis, MO?
St. Louis’s primary area code is 314, in service since 1947, now overlaid by the new 557 code.
Is 557 a real St. Louis area code?
Yes. 557 is the new FCC-approved overlay for the 314 region, added to expand number capacity in the city of St. Louis.
What is the difference between 314 and 636?
314 covers the city of St. Louis and its inner suburbs, while 636 covers the western suburbs like St. Charles and O’Fallon. The 557 overlay applies to the 314 area.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in St. Louis?
Yes. With the 557 overlay active, all local calls in the 314 region require 10-digit dialing.
Stay Safe & Explore More
- Verify an unknown caller in our Scam Alerts directory.
- Comparing nationwide numbers? See our Toll-Free Numbers guides.