The search for the “713 area code” is a highly specific query related to the largest city in Texas.
The 713 area code is the original, historic area code for the city of Houston, Texas, and the core of the Greater Houston metropolitan area. It is one of the original area codes established in 1947. Today, the 713 area code shares the entire region with an extensive overlay complex that includes 281, 832, 346, and the newest code, 621.
Because of this multiple-code overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls placed anywhere within the Houston metro area.
-
Location and Time Zone
The 713 area code is synonymous with one of the most populous and economically significant regions in the southern United States.
Primary Location and Time Zone
- State: Texas (TX), United States.
- Major City: Houston (4th largest city in the U.S.).
- Time Zone: Central Time Zone (CT). This includes Central Standard Time (CST) and Central Daylight Time (CDT) during daylight saving periods.
Major Cities and Counties Covered
The 713 area code is now overlaid across the entire Greater Houston metropolitan area, which spans multiple counties. Key cities and communities include:
- Houston (Core Urban Area)
- Pasadena
- Pearland
- Sugar Land
- The Woodlands
- Galveston (Shared with 409)
The area primarily serves all of Harris County, along with large portions of Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria counties.
-
The Houston Overlay Complex (713 / 281 / 832 / 346 / 621)
Due to Houston’s explosive growth in population and telecommunication usage since the 1980s, the region now operates under a massive area code overlay system.
- History of the Overlay
- 1947: 713 is one of Texas’s four original area codes.
- 1996–1999: Area codes 281 and 832 are added as overlays to keep up with demand, eliminating the boundaries and forcing 10-digit dialing.
- 2014: Area code 346 is added.
- 2025: Area code 621 is added as the newest overlay to ensure a continuous supply of phone numbers.
- Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing
Because five different area codes (713, 281, 832, 346, and 621) all cover the same geographic space, you must dial the full 10-digit number (Area Code + 7-Digit Local Number) for every call, even when calling a neighbor who has the same 713 prefix.
- Incorrect: XXX-XXXX (7-digit dialing is no longer accepted).
- Correct: 713-XXX-XXXX or 832-XXX-XXXX, etc.
- Business and Identity
The 713 area code carries a high degree of local identity and prestige, often being the preferred code for long-established businesses and residents due to its status as the original Houston code.
- Local Trust: For businesses, securing a 713 number (even a virtual one) helps immediately establish a local presence and build trust within the community.
- “Houston”: Like New York’s 212 or Los Angeles’s 310, the 713 prefix is often used in local media and culture as a shorthand for the city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most recent area code added to Houston?
The most recent area code added to the Houston overlay complex is 621, which was introduced in early 2025. Any new phone line or service in the Greater Houston area may receive this new prefix.
Do I need to dial ‘1’ before the area code in Houston?
No. You do not dial ‘1’ before the area code for local calls. You only need to dial the 10-digit format. You would only dial ‘1’ before the 10-digit number if you are calling a long-distance number outside the Houston area (e.g., calling 214-XXX-XXXX in Dallas).
If my phone number is 713, will it ever change?
No. Your existing 713 phone number will never change. The overlay system ensures that your number remains the same while simply allowing new phone numbers to be created with the new 281, 832, 346, or 621 prefixes in the same region.
