The 813 area code is strongly associated with a major Florida metropolitan region and is a highly recognizable number for the local population.
The 813 area code serves the west-central Florida region, encompassing the city of Tampa and most of Hillsborough County. It operates within the Eastern Time Zone (ET). Due to the exhaustion of available numbers, the 813 area code is now served by an all-services overlay, area code 656, meaning all local calls in this region require mandatory 10-digit dialing.
This guide provides the location, major cities, and essential dialing information for the 813/656 area code complex.
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Location and Geographic Coverage of 813
The 813 area code identifies the largest city and core metropolitan area of Florida’s west coast.
Primary Location and Time Zone
- State: Florida (FL), United States.
- Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (ET). This includes Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during the summer months.
Major Cities and Counties Covered
The 813 area code primarily covers the entire Hillsborough County, which is the central county of the Tampa Bay Area. Key locations include:
- Tampa: The largest city, often referred to locally as “The 813.”
- Brandon
- Riverview
- Plant City
- Temple Terrace
- Wesley Chapel (Central and Southeastern portions of Pasco County)
- Oldsmar (A unique portion of Pinellas County that retained the 813 code despite being mostly served by 727).
Historical Context
The 813 area code was one of Florida’s original area codes, created in 1953 when the state’s sole area code, 305, was split. Over the years, the massive growth of the Tampa Bay region required two splits, creating the 941 area code to the south and the 727 area code to the west (St. Petersburg/Clearwater).
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The 656 Area Code Overlay and 10-Digit Dialing
Due to continued, rapid population growth in the Tampa Bay area, phone numbers using the 813 prefix began to run out.
The 656 Overlay
- Effective Date: Area code 656 was implemented as an overlay for the 813 region, becoming effective in early 2022.
- Function: The 656 area code now serves the exact same geographic region as the 813 area code. New phone lines, mobile phones, and services in Hillsborough County may be assigned a 656 number.
Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing
Because two area codes (813 and 656) now serve the same area, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all calls within the region.
- Rule: To complete any local call (even within the same 813 code), you must dial the Area Code + 7-Digit Local Number (e.g., 813-XXX-XXXX or 656-XXX-XXXX).
- Calls dialed with only 7 digits will not be completed.
Actionable Steps for Residents
Residents and businesses should ensure the following are updated for continued service:
- Mobile Contacts: Save all local numbers in your phone’s contact list with the full 10-digit number.
- PBX/Alarm Systems: Reprogram any life safety systems, security alarms, fax machines, or PBX systems to dial 10 digits.
- Advertising: All business cards, websites, and signage must display the full 10-digit number.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is 813 still active, or has it been replaced by 656?
The 813 area code is still fully active and has not been replaced. The 656 area code is an overlay, meaning it was simply added to the same geographic area. All existing 813 numbers kept their code, but new numbers may be assigned either 813 or 656.
Is the 813 area code prone to scams?
As a major metropolitan area code, 813 is sometimes used by scammers performing caller ID spoofing to trick people into answering. If you are not expecting a call, it is always recommended to let unknown 813 numbers go to voicemail.
How do I call 813 numbers from outside the United States?
You must use the US country code, +1. The correct international dialing format is: [International Exit Code] + 1 + 813 + [7-Digit Local Number].
