738 Area CodeLos Angeles, CA
Area code 738 covers Los Angeles and nearby communities in California, in the Pacific Time (PT) zone, home to about 2,419,041 people across 24 cities. It was added in 2024 as an overlay of 323, so the same 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 213, 323
Overview of the 738 Area Code
What is the 738 area code?
The 738 area code serves Los Angeles, California, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 738 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 738 created?
Area code 738 went into service on November 1, 2024, as an overlay of 323. An overlay adds a second code to the same territory instead of splitting it: existing 323 numbers kept their digits, new lines began receiving 738 numbers, and local calls in the region require all ten digits. The same territory also carries 213.
Geographic Coverage of the 738 Area Code
The 738 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 213 and 323. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Los Angeles
- East Los Angeles
- Inglewood
- South Gate
- Hawthorne
- Lynwood
Got a call from a 738 number? It came from Los Angeles, CA. Since 738 overlays with 213 and 323, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Of the listed cities' population, Los Angeles accounts for about 79.5%; 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 738 area code operates alongside 213, 323. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 738 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 738 cover?
| City | State | Population | Population in 738 | % of listed-city population | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | CA | 3,878,704 | 1,759,644 | 79.5% | 45.4% |
| East Los Angeles | CA | 126,496 | 126,496 | 2.6% | 100.0% |
| Inglewood | CA | 102,774 | 13,365 | 2.1% | 13.0% |
| South Gate | CA | 90,805 | 80,393 | 1.9% | 88.5% |
| Hawthorne | CA | 83,633 | 3,488 | 1.7% | 4.2% |
| Lynwood | CA | 63,596 | 0 | 1.3% | 0.0% |
| Florence-Graham | CA | 63,387 | 63,387 | 1.3% | 100.0% |
| Montebello | CA | 60,617 | 60,617 | 1.2% | 100.0% |
| Monterey Park | CA | 57,996 | 13,509 | 1.2% | 23.3% |
| Huntington Park | CA | 52,166 | 52,166 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
| Bell Gardens | CA | 37,565 | 13,034 | 0.8% | 34.7% |
| Willowbrook | CA | 35,983 | 8,820 | 0.7% | 24.5% |
| West Hollywood | CA | 34,371 | 34,371 | 0.7% | 100.0% |
| Bell | CA | 31,930 | 31,930 | 0.7% | 100.0% |
| Westmont | CA | 31,853 | 31,853 | 0.7% | 100.0% |
| South Pasadena | CA | 25,656 | 12,356 | 0.5% | 48.2% |
| Maywood | CA | 23,838 | 23,838 | 0.5% | 100.0% |
| Cudahy | CA | 21,694 | 21,694 | 0.5% | 100.0% |
| Walnut Park | CA | 15,966 | 15,966 | 0.3% | 100.0% |
| Commerce | CA | 11,882 | 8,396 | 0.2% | 70.7% |
| View Park-Windsor Hills | CA | 11,075 | 11,075 | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| West Athens | CA | 8,729 | 8,729 | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| Ladera Heights | CA | 6,498 | 0 | 0.1% | 0.0% |
| Vernon | CA | 211 | 211 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
City population is shown in full. The share of each city inside 738 is measured from Census tract centroids, not estimated from a rate-center match – so a city split between two codes appears on both, at the fraction each one actually holds. The “% of listed-city population” column uses the full populations of the cities listed here.
What counties does area code 738 cover?
2,419,041 residents across 1 county, counted inside the 738 boundary — a county split between codes contributes only its part.
| County | State | Population in 738 | % of area-code footprint | % of County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | CA | 2,419,041 | 100% | 24% |
Sources: City populations – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). State populations – the same program, Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA). Area-code footprint and county populations – 2020 Census Centers of Population, mapped against NANP area code boundaries. The share of each city inside a code is measured the same way, against Census place boundaries from the Census Bureau's TIGERweb service. Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 738 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 738 area code (Jun 8 – Aug 14, 2026).
- 67% robocalls
- ↑ 36% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Dropped call or no message39%13
- Other36%12
- Home improvement & cleaning9%3
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 2026-08-17.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 738 Area Code
Who called me from a 738 number?
A 738 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 738 code to look nearby, so a 738 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 738 code (67% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 738 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 738 is a normal, officially assigned code for Los Angeles, California. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 738 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 738 code (67% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 738 area code?
Repeated calls from different 738 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 738 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 738 code (67% 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 738 number?
If you aren't expecting a 738 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 738 area code?
Block a single 738 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 738 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 738?
Area code 738 covers Los Angeles and the surrounding area in California, spanning 24 cities with about 2,419,041 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 213, 323.
When did area code 738 go into service?
Area code 738 went into service on November 1, 2024. It was added as an overlay of 323, so 738 numbers serve the same area that 323 already covered.
Is 738 a real area code?
Yes. 738 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 738 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 738 area code in?
The 738 area code is in the Pacific Time (PT). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 738 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 738 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 738 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 738 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.