213 Area CodeLos Angeles, CA
Area code 213 covers Los Angeles and nearby communities in California, in the Pacific Time (PT) zone, home to about 4.9 million people across 24 cities. It overlays 323 and 738, so the region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Los Angeles
- State
- California (CA)
- Timezone
- Pacific Time (PT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 323, 738
Overview of the 213 Area Code
What is the 213 area code?
The 213 area code serves Los Angeles, California, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 213 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 213 created?
The 213 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Los Angeles once the existing area codes 323 and 738 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 213 Area Code
The 213 area code serves Los Angeles and surrounding areas in California. It operates within the Pacific Time (PT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 323 and 738. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Los Angeles
- East Los Angeles
- Inglewood
- South Gate
- Hawthorne
- Lynwood
Got a call from a 213 number? It came from Los Angeles, CA. Since 213 overlays with 323 and 738, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 213, Los Angeles holds about 80% of the population; the rest is split across 23 smaller cities.
Los Angeles Area Codes Overview
Los Angeles is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 213 area code operates alongside 323, 738. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 213 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 213 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | CA | 3,878,704 | 67% | 26% |
| East Los Angeles | CA | 126,496 | 4% | 100% |
| Inglewood | CA | 102,774 | 1% | 24% |
| South Gate | CA | 90,805 | 3% | 71% |
| Hawthorne | CA | 83,633 | 0% | 9% |
| Lynwood | CA | 63,596 | 0% | 6% |
| Florence-Graham | CA | 63,387 | 2% | 100% |
| Montebello | CA | 60,617 | 4% | 99% |
| Monterey Park | CA | 57,996 | 2% | 47% |
| Huntington Park | CA | 52,166 | 2% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 213 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 745 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 213 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 44% robocalls
- ↑ 7% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other32%239
- Dropped call or no message19%141
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends14%104
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Which prefixes and exchanges belong to area code 213?
67% assigned to a telco
- 70% Landline
- 30% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (213)200- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (213)201- | Landline | Tpx Communications |
| (213)202- | Landline | Pacific Bell |
| (213)203- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
| (213)204- | Landline | Centurylink Communications |
| (213)205- | Landline | Onvoy |
| (213)206- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
| (213)207- | Landline | Pacific Bell |
| (213)208- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
| (213)209- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 213 Area Code
Who called me from a 213 number?
A 213 number is assigned to Los Angeles, California, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 213 code to look nearby, so a 213 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 745 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 213 code (44% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 213 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 213 is a normal, officially assigned code for Los Angeles, California. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 213 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 745 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 213 code (44% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 213 area code?
Repeated calls from different 213 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 213 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 745 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 213 code (44% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 213 number?
If you aren't expecting a 213 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 213 area code?
Block a single 213 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 213 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 213?
Area code 213 covers Los Angeles and the surrounding area in California, spanning 24 cities with about 4,877,425 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 323, 738.
Is 213 a real area code?
Yes. 213 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Los Angeles, California. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 213 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 213 area code in?
The 213 area code is in the Pacific Time (PT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 213 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 213 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 213 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 213 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.