512 Area CodeAustin, TX
Area code 512 covers Austin and nearby communities in Texas, in the Central Time (CT) zone, home to about 2 million people across 73 cities. It overlays 737, so the same region uses both and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Austin
- State
- Texas (TX)
- Timezone
- Central Time (CT)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 737
Where is area code 512?
Area code 512 serves part of Austin, TX and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (737) that serves the same area.
Overview of the 512 Area Code
What is the 512 area code?
The 512 area code serves Austin, Texas, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 512 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 512 created?
The 512 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Austin once the existing area code 737 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 512 Area Code
The 512 area code serves Austin and surrounding areas in Texas. It operates within the Central Time (CT) time zone. It complements the coverage of area code 737. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Austin
- Round Rock
- Georgetown
- Leander
- Cedar Park
- San Marcos
Got a call from a 512 number? It came from Austin, TX. Since 512 overlays with 737, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 512, Austin holds about 51% of the population; the rest is split across 72 smaller cities.
Austin Area Codes Overview
Austin is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 512 area code operates alongside 737. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 512 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 512 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | TX | 993,588 | 5% | 100% |
| Round Rock | TX | 135,359 | 1% | 100% |
| Georgetown | TX | 101,344 | 1% | 99% |
| Leander | TX | 87,511 | 0% | 100% |
| Cedar Park | TX | 78,380 | 0% | 100% |
| San Marcos | TX | 74,316 | 1% | 100% |
| Pflugerville | TX | 66,819 | 0% | 100% |
| Kyle | TX | 65,833 | 0% | 100% |
| Hutto | TX | 42,661 | 0% | 100% |
| Brushy Creek | TX | 21,764 | 0% | 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 512 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 844 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 512 area code (May 29 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 58% robocalls
- ↓ 2% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other32%272
- Dropped call or no message14%118
- Medical & prescriptions13%110
* 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 512?
78% assigned to a telco
- 69% Landline
- 31% Wireless
- 0% Unknown
| Prefix | Usage | Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| (512)200- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (512)201- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (512)202- | Wireless | Verizon Wireless |
| (512)203- | Wireless | T-Mobile Usa |
| (512)204- | Landline | American Messaging Services |
| (512)205- | Wireless | Usa Mobility Wireless |
| (512)206- | Landline | Southwestern Bell |
| (512)207- | Landline | Southwestern Bell |
| (512)208- | Landline | American Messaging Services |
| (512)209- | Landline | American Messaging Services |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 512 Area Code
Who called me from a 512 number?
A 512 number is assigned to Austin, Texas, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 512 code to look nearby, so a 512 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 844 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 512 code (58% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 512 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 512 is a normal, officially assigned code for Austin, Texas. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 512 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 844 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 512 code (58% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 512 area code?
Repeated calls from different 512 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 512 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 844 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 512 code (58% 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 512 number?
If you aren't expecting a 512 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 512 area code?
Block a single 512 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 512 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 512?
Area code 512 covers Austin and the surrounding area in Texas, spanning 73 cities with about 1,964,862 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 737.
Is 512 a real area code?
Yes. 512 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Austin, Texas. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 512 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 512 area code in?
The 512 area code is in the Central Time (CT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 512 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 512 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 512 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 512 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.