The 737 area code is located in the Central Texas region of the United States, serving the metropolitan area of Austin and its surrounding suburbs. It functions as an overlay for the original 512 area code, covering the exact same geographic territory.
This three-digit prefix was introduced in 2013 to address the explosive population and technology growth in the Austin area—often referred to as “Silicon Hills”—which had begun exhausting available phone numbers under the original 512 code. This guide provides all the essential details about the 737 area code, including its coverage, time zone, and dialing requirements.
737 Area Code: Location and Coverage
Area code 737 covers a wide swath of Central Texas, making it a prominent local code for new residents and businesses in and around the state capital.
Primary Location and Major Cities
The 737 area code serves Austin and its metropolitan statistical area. The code covers the same region as the long-established 512 area code.
- Major City: Austin, Texas
- Time Zone: Central Time Zone (CT) (UTC-6 during standard time, UTC-5 during daylight saving time)
- Key Counties Covered: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, and Milam Counties.
- Other Major Cities Served: Round Rock, Cedar Park, San Marcos, Pflugerville, Georgetown, and Taylor.
Overlay Status and Dialing Requirements
The 737 area code is a classic example of an overlay area code.
- Overlay Definition: An overlay means that a single geographic region is served by two or more area codes. Both 512 and 737 numbers can exist side-by-side in the same neighborhood.
- Dialing Requirement: Because the 512/737 area has two codes serving the same area, all local calls require 10-digit dialing (Area Code + 7-digit number), even if you are calling from a 737 number to another 737 number (or a 512 number).
Is a Call from a 737 Phone Number Safe?
Since the 737 area code is highly concentrated in a booming U.S. metro area, it is frequently used by legitimate local businesses, residents, and institutions. However, due to its popularity, it is also highly targeted by telemarketers and scammers using spoofed numbers.
Legitimate Uses
A phone number starting with 737 could be a call from:
- Local Businesses: Many new startups, tech companies (Austin is “Silicon Hills”), and small local services opt for 737 numbers.
- Government and Education: Local government offices, schools, and the University of Texas often use 512 or the newer 737 numbers.
- Residents: New residents and new lines added to existing accounts in the Austin area are typically assigned the 737 prefix.
Potential Spam and Scam Risk
Like most U.S. area codes, 737 numbers are frequently “spoofed,” meaning scammers fraudulently disguise their true number to appear local and more trustworthy.
Red Flags for 737 Scams:
- Immediate Hang-Up: If the call is followed by an immediate hang-up, it’s likely an automated system confirming an active number for a future spam list.
- Robocalls: Automated messages claiming urgent account issues (banks, Amazon, credit cards). Legitimate companies rarely contact customers this way.
- Unsolicited Offers: Calls offering free prizes, lower interest rates, or government services you never applied for.
Actionable Advice: If you receive an unexpected call from a 737 number, do not answer or call back immediately. If it is a legitimate local contact, they will usually leave a voicemail. If it is spam, you can simply block the number.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was the 737 area code introduced?
The 737 area code was introduced in July 2013 as an overlay to the 512 area code. This was done to ensure a sufficient supply of new phone numbers for the rapidly growing Austin metropolitan area.
What is the time difference for a 737 phone number?
The 737 area code operates within the Central Time Zone (CT). If you are calling from the East Coast (ET), the time difference is one hour behind you. If you are calling from the West Coast (PT), the time difference is two hours ahead of you.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for calls within the 737 area code?
Yes. Because 737 is an overlay code to 512, 10-digit dialing (Area Code + Number) is mandatory for all local calls within the Austin region, even if the area codes are the same.
Why is Austin served by two area codes (512 and 737)?
Austin is served by two area codes because the original 512 area code ran out of available combinations of seven-digit numbers due to population growth. Creating an overlay code (737) was deemed the most efficient solution, allowing existing customers to keep their 512 numbers while providing new numbers for incoming users.
