Area Code for Austin

Austin runs on two area codes: 512 — one of the original 86 codes from 1947 — and 737, the overlay added in 2013 to handle the metro’s explosive growth.

Whether you’re verifying an Austin number, choosing a local business line for the Silicon Hills market, or just curious why your Round Rock contact has a different prefix than your downtown Austin colleague, this guide covers every angle.

What’s the area code for Austin?

Austin, Texas is served by two area codes operating as a full overlay pair under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP):

Code	Established	Coverage	Notes
512	October 1947	Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Milam counties	Original NANP code; Austin’s cultural identity number
737	July 2013	Same territory as 512 (full overlay)	Introduced to prevent 512 exhaustion; 10-digit dialing required

Both codes share the same geography — there is no part of Austin served exclusively by 512 or exclusively by 737. All local calls within the service area require ten-digit dialing (area code + seven-digit number), a rule mandated by the PUCT starting June 2013.

Austin sits in the Central Time Zone (CT) — UTC−6 in winter, UTC−5 during Daylight Saving Time.

For regional context: neighboring San Antonio uses 210 (split from 512 in 1992), Waco uses 254, and the Hill Country west of Austin uses 830 (split from 512 in 1997).

Austin area codes by neighborhood and suburb

Because 512 and 737 are a true overlay, both codes appear across every Austin neighborhood. The geographic breakdown below describes what communities fall within the 512/737 service territory.

Downtown Austin and central neighborhoods

The urban core — Downtown, South Congress (SoCo), East Austin, and South Lamar — all fall within Travis County and the 512/737 territory.

• Downtown / 6th Street — financial district, bars, entertainment corridor
• South Congress (SoCo) — boutiques, restaurants, Austin’s walkable main street
• East Austin — tech startups, coffee shops, fastest-growing residential area
• South Lamar — Alamo Drafthouse flagship, music venues, Barton Springs

North Austin and the tech corridor

North Austin is Silicon Hills’ epicenter — the stretch of US-183 and MoPac from the Domain to Parmer Lane.

• The Domain — Apple, Indeed, and major tech campuses
• North Loop / Rundberg — residential north Austin
• Tech Ridge / Parmer Lane — AMD, Dell Technologies’ tech corridor

Northern suburbs (still 512/737)

• Round Rock — Dell Technologies global HQ, 30 min north on I-35
• Cedar Park — fastest-growing suburb; major retail and residential
• Pflugerville — east of Round Rock; significant logistics and distribution
• Georgetown — Williamson County seat; Sun City retirement community
• Leander and Hutto — outer ring suburbs with rapid residential growth

Southern and eastern suburbs (512/737)

• San Marcos — Texas State University; 30 min south on I-35
• Kyle and Buda — bedroom communities south of Austin on I-35
• Bastrop — Pine forest region; about 30 miles southeast

Outside 512/737 (for reference)

• San Antonio metro — area code 210 (split from 512 in 1992)
• Waco / Temple / Killeen — area code 254
• Kerrville / Fredericksburg / New Braunfels — area code 830 (split from 512 in 1997)
• Corpus Christi — area code 361 (split from 512 in February 1999)

History of Austin area codes

Austin’s area code story runs parallel to Texas’s transformation from agricultural state to technology powerhouse.

October 1947 — 512 is born. When AT&T engineers laid out the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), they assigned 512 to cover most of south-central Texas. The territory stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mexican border, encompassing Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, and McAllen in a single giant NPA.

1992 — 210 splits off San Antonio. Population growth and fax machines consumed numbering capacity faster than planners expected. In 1992, the western and southern portions of 512 became area code 210, covering San Antonio and surrounding counties. In a notable regulatory decision, Austin kept 512 — even though San Antonio was the larger city — because forcing the Texas state government and hundreds of Austin-based state agencies to change their published numbers would have been enormously disruptive and costly.

1997 — 830 splits off the Hill Country. As 512 continued filling, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) carved out another slice. Area code 830 was assigned to the Hill Country west of San Antonio — Kerrville, Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, and Del Rio.

February 13, 1999 — 361 splits off the coast. The remaining southern coastal territory — Corpus Christi, Victoria, and the Rio Grande Valley border — became area code 361. After this split, 512 was reduced to its current footprint: Austin and the surrounding Central Texas metro.

December 2012 – July 2013 — 737 overlay. By the early 2010s, Austin’s tech boom was exhausting 512’s number pool. Rather than split the territory again (which would force existing customers to change numbers), the PUCT ordered a full overlay. Ten-digit dialing was phased in from December 2012 and became mandatory in June 2013. Area code 737 launched in July 2013.

The NANP administrator (NANPA) tracks ongoing number utilization. As of 2026, both 512 and 737 remain active and fully operational.

512 as Austin’s tech and music identity

No American area code is more woven into a city’s cultural brand than 512 is into Austin’s.

“Keep Austin Weird” — the rallying cry of Austin’s independent business culture — predates the tech boom and is inseparable from the 512 identity. Austin was a college town and live music capital long before it became Silicon Hills.

Live music and SXSW. Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, a title backed by over 250 music venues. South by Southwest (SXSW), the annual music, film, and tech conference, draws 300,000+ attendees. Austin City Limits (ACL) is another annual anchor. Willie Nelson, whose ranch sits west of the city, has a 512 number that’s functionally a Texas institution.

Silicon Hills. The nickname dates to the 1990s when Motorola, IBM, and Dell established major presences along US-183 and MoPac. The hills reference the Texas Hill Country visible from the tech corridors. Today the cluster includes:

• Tesla Gigafactory Texas — opened 2022 in Del Valle (Travis County); 512 service area
• Oracle — relocated US HQ from California to Austin in 2021
• Apple — 3-million-square-foot campus in North Austin; the company’s largest outside Cupertino
• Indeed — Austin HQ; world’s largest job site
• Whole Foods Market — founded in Austin in 1980; global HQ remains on Lamar Boulevard

The 512 area code is the phone identity of this ecosystem. A 512 number signals Austin credibility in the same way 415 signals San Francisco or 212 signals Manhattan.

Austin area code spam and scams

Austin’s 512 area code is among the most spoofed in Texas. Scammers fake a local 512 caller ID to exploit the likelihood that Austin residents will answer what looks like a local call.

Common Texas-specific patterns:

• Fake utility shutoff calls — callers impersonating Austin Energy or CPS Energy (San Antonio) threaten immediate electricity shutoff unless payment is made by phone or gift card. Austin Energy never requests same-day gift card payments.
• IRS impersonation — callers spoofing Texas Comptroller or IRS numbers claim an unpaid tax matter with a bogus Tax ID. The IRS never initiates contact by phone call.
• SXSW ticket fraud — spikes annually in February–March; callers (and texts) offer discounted SXSW badges requiring payment before tickets can be verified.
• Fake real estate and short-term rental — scammers pose as Austin landlords or Airbnb hosts requesting deposits on properties they don’t own. High-demand Austin rental market makes this effective.
• Fake ICE agent calls — Austin PD has warned of callers impersonating ICE officers demanding payment to avoid arrest; reported from 512 spoofed numbers.

STIR/SHAKEN and call authentication. The FCC-mandated STIR/SHAKEN framework requires carriers to authenticate outbound calls and assign an attestation level: A (fully verified), B (partial), or C (gateway/unverified). Spoofed scam calls receive C-attestation or none at all, triggering “Spam Likely” labels on iPhones and Android devices.

When you get an Austin 512 or 737 number through DialPhone, outbound calls carry A-attestation — calls reach customers as verified, not flagged.

See the FCC’s full guidance: fcc.gov/consumers/guides/spoofing-and-caller-id.

How to get an Austin business phone number

Getting a 512 or 737 number for your business takes under 10 minutes through a cloud VoIP provider. No Texas office required.

Step 1: Choose 512 or 737. For Austin brand recognition and cultural credibility, 512 is the preferred choice. Inventory is limited — check availability first. 737 is functionally identical and easier to source.

Step 2: Sign up with a VoIP provider. DialPhone lets you search available Austin numbers by area code during signup. Both 512 and 737 numbers are available.

Step 3: Assign the number to users or a team. Route your Austin number to a mobile, desktop app, or team queue. Set up a voicemail greeting, call routing menu, or AI receptionist as needed.

Step 4: Configure outbound caller ID. Set your Austin number as the outbound caller ID so calls display the local 512 or 737 number — not an 800 number or personal cell.

Step 5: Port existing numbers if needed. If you already have an Austin number with another carrier, bring it to DialPhone through number porting (typically 2–5 business days for US local numbers).

See DialPhone pricing for plan details, or start a free trial to claim your Austin number today.

For the full porting walkthrough, see our number porting guide.

Famous companies in Austin area codes

Austin’s 512/737 territory is home to a concentration of technology, consumer, and enterprise companies that rivals any US metro outside the coasts.

Dell Technologies — founded in Round Rock by Michael Dell in 1984; global HQ remains in Round Rock (512). One of the world’s largest PC and server manufacturers.

Apple — North Austin campus opened in 2022 with space for 15,000 employees; 512 service area. Apple’s largest campus outside Cupertino.

Tesla Gigafactory Texas — opened April 2022 in Del Valle, east of Austin; Travis County, 512/737 territory. Produces Model Y and Cybertruck.

Oracle — relocated its global HQ from Redwood Shores, California to Austin in December 2021; 512/737 territory.

Indeed — world’s largest job site; global HQ in Austin since 2012; 512 numbers.

Whole Foods Market — founded on Lamar Boulevard in 1980; global HQ still in Austin. Amazon subsidiary since 2017; maintains Austin 512 presence.

IBM — major Austin research and development campus on Burnet Road; 512.

AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) — significant Austin engineering center; 512 territory.

Bumble — women-first dating and social networking app; global HQ in Austin; 512.

Yeti — premium coolers and drinkware; HQ in Austin; 512. A walkable symbol of the Austin outdoors-meets-consumer-brand story.

Texas’s industry mix — Energy, Healthcare, and Logistics alongside Tech — means that a 512 or 737 number signals credibility across a wide range of B2B sectors. DialPhone’s STIR/SHAKEN A-attestation ensures your Austin number reaches these businesses verified, not screened.

Austin area code FAQ

Austin area code FAQ

What is the area code for Austin, Texas? +

Austin, Texas uses two area codes: 512 and 737. Area code 512 is the original code, assigned in October 1947 when AT&T established the North American Numbering Plan. It covers Austin and the surrounding metro including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, and San Marcos.

Area code 737 is a full overlay introduced in July 2013. It covers the exact same geographic territory as 512 — there is no neighborhood split between the two. Both codes require ten-digit dialing for all calls within the service area.

Is Austin still 'the 512'? +

Yes — culturally, Austin is still 'the 512.' The 512 identity predates the overlay by over 65 years and is embedded in the city's brand: local businesses, musicians, and tech companies prize a 512 number for its Austin authenticity.

However, new numbers assigned today are often 737. If you want a 512 number specifically, you'll need to check availability with a VoIP provider or port a number from an existing 512 holder.

What is the difference between 512 and 737? +

The difference is historical, not geographic. Both 512 and 737 cover the same counties — Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, and portions of Milam. There is no neighborhood that belongs exclusively to one code over the other.

512 carries cultural weight: it's the 'old Austin' number associated with the tech scene, Keep Austin Weird, and longtime residents. 737 is newer and neutral — it works perfectly but lacks that legacy identity. For business credibility in Austin, a 512 number often signals deeper local roots.

What cities are in the 512 area code? +

Major cities in the 512 (and 737) area code include: Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, San Marcos, Kyle, Leander, Buda, Hutto, Taylor, Bastrop, Lockhart, and Marble Falls.

The coverage spans Travis County (Austin proper), Williamson County (northern suburbs), Hays County (south suburbs and Hill Country edge), plus parts of Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, and Milam counties.

When did Austin get the 737 area code? +

Area code 737 launched as an overlay in July 2013. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) ordered the overlay to prevent 512 from reaching number exhaustion driven by Austin's rapid tech-sector growth.

The transition was phased in: ten-digit dialing was introduced in December 2012 and became mandatory in June 2013. All local calls within the 512/737 territory now require the full 10-digit number even when dialing to another 512 number.

Are 512 calls spam? +

Not inherently — 512 is a legitimate Austin area code. The concern is spoofing: scammers fake a local 512 caller ID to increase the chance you'll answer. Common Texas-specific scams include fake City of Austin utility shutoff calls, IRS impersonation, and fake Social Security fraud alerts.

STIR/SHAKEN is the FCC-mandated framework that combats spoofing. Carriers authenticate calls and assign an attestation level. When you get an Austin number through DialPhone, outbound calls carry A-attestation — the highest trust level — so your calls reach customers as verified, not flagged as 'Spam Likely.'

Can I get an Austin 512 number without a Texas office? +

Yes. Virtual (VoIP) phone numbers are not tied to a physical location. A business anywhere in the US — or internationally — can get a 512 or 737 number through a cloud phone provider and route calls to any device.

DialPhone assigns available Austin numbers in minutes. No Texas office, no hardware, no long-term contract. The number rings on your mobile, desktop app, or team queue wherever you are, and outbound calls display the Austin caller ID.

What area code is San Antonio, Texas? +

San Antonio uses area code 210, which was split from the original 512 territory in 1992. Before 1992, San Antonio and Austin shared the 512 area code.

Interestingly, Austin retained 512 even though San Antonio was the larger city at the time — regulators decided it was less disruptive for San Antonio to adopt a new code than to force the Texas state government and all its Austin-based agencies to change numbers.

Get an Austin business number

A verified 512 or 737 number builds immediate local trust — whether you’re a national company entering the Austin market or a local business that needs its calls answered instead of ignored.

DialPhone provides Austin numbers with STIR/SHAKEN A-attestation, AI receptionist, call recording, and SMS — on a single plan with no hardware.

Start your free trial → | See all plans →

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Related resources:

• 512 area code landing page
• 737 area code landing page
• Texas area codes
• DialPhone business phone
• AI receptionist for your business
• Number porting guide