Louisiana currently has six area codes serving communities across the state, all operating in the Central Time Zone. Whether you’re trying to identify an unknown caller from Baton Rouge, planning to call a business in New Orleans, or just curious about how phone numbers work across the Pelican State, this guide covers everything you need to know about Louisiana’s area codes and their history.
🔔 BREAKING NEWS: Louisiana just added area code 457 as an overlay to the 318 region on September 25, 2025. Residents in northern Louisiana now must use 10-digit dialing for all calls, even local ones.
Quick Reference: Louisiana Area Codes at a Glance
| Area Code | Primary Cities/Regions | Time Zone | Type | Year Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225 | Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Plaquemine | Central (CST/CDT) | Split from 504 | 1998 |
| 318 | Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria | Central (CST/CDT) | Split from 504 | 1957 |
| 337 | Lafayette, Lake Charles, New Iberia | Central (CST/CDT) | Split from 318 | 1999 |
| 457 | Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria (Overlay) | Central (CST/CDT) | Overlay on 318 | 2025 |
| 504 | New Orleans, Metairie, Chalmette | Central (CST/CDT) | Original | 1947 |
| 985 | Hammond, Houma, Slidell, Thibodaux | Central (CST/CDT) | Split from 504 | 2001 |
Breaking News: Area Code 457 Arrives in Northern Louisiana
If you live in Shreveport, Monroe, or Alexandria, your dialing habits just changed. On September 25, 2025, Louisiana activated area code 457 as an overlay to the existing 318 region. This means both area codes now serve the same geographic area across northern and central Louisiana.
Why the change? The 318 region was running low on available phone numbers due to population growth and the explosion of mobile devices. Instead of splitting the region into smaller areas, which would have forced some people to change their existing numbers, Louisiana opted for an overlay. This approach lets everyone keep their current 318 numbers while new phone lines get assigned 457.
Here’s what you need to know. All calls in the 318/457 region now require 10-digit dialing, even if you’re calling your next-door neighbor. That means you dial the area code plus the seven-digit number every single time. The change affects roughly 1.2 million residents across parishes, including Caddo, Ouachita, Rapides, and dozens more.
Area Code 504: Where Louisiana Phone Service Began
Area code 504 holds a special place in Louisiana history. When the North American Numbering Plan launched in 1947, the entire state of Louisiana shared this single area code. Back then, you could call from Shreveport to New Orleans using the same code.
Today, 504 serves the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, covering Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish (mostly), St. Bernard Parish, and Plaquemines Parish. About 1.3 million people live in this region, making it Louisiana’s most densely populated area code zone.
If you’re calling New Orleans proper, Metairie, Kenner, Chalmette, or Gretna, you’re dialing into 504 territory. The code represents the cultural heart of Louisiana, encompassing the French Quarter, the port, and the surrounding communities that make the region unique.
Fun fact: 504 is one of the most recognizable area codes in the southern United States. It’s so tied to New Orleans’ identity that locals often reference it in music, business names, and everyday conversation.
Area Code 318: Northern Louisiana's First Split
By 1957, Louisiana’s population had grown enough that one area code couldn’t handle the demand. The state was split into two regions, with 318 taking over northern and central Louisiana, while 504 kept the southern portion.
For nearly 70 years, 318 served cities like Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandria, and Ruston. The region covers an enormous geographic area, stretching from the Arkansas border down through central parishes. It includes about 1.1 million residents across small towns, mid-sized cities, and rural communities.
Major cities in 318 include Shreveport (the third-largest city in Louisiana), Monroe (a regional hub), and Alexandria (central Louisiana’s main city). The area code also covers college towns like Ruston, home to Louisiana Tech University, and Natchitoches, where Northwestern State University sits.
The region is known for its strong oil and gas industry, timber production, and agricultural economy. Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City is one of the largest employers in this area code.
With the new 457 overlay, all 318 numbers remain active, but new lines now get assigned either code depending on availability.
Area Code 225: Baton Rouge Gets Its Own Identity
In 1998, Louisiana’s capital region split from 504 to create area code 225. This change gave Baton Rouge and the surrounding nine parishes their own distinct telephone identity.
The 225 region serves roughly 850,000 people and includes the entire Baton Rouge metropolitan area. Major cities include Baton Rouge itself (Louisiana’s second-largest city), Gonzales, Denham Springs, Plaquemine, and Zachary.
Geography-wise, 225 covers Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes. This gives it a mix of urban areas around the capital, suburban communities, and rural parishes along the Mississippi River.
Baton Rouge serves as Louisiana’s political center and is home to Louisiana State University, one of the largest universities in the South. The petrochemical industry dominates the economy, with major refineries and chemical plants lining the river corridor.
Local calls within 225 typically don’t require 10-digit dialing, though mobile phones often include the area code automatically.
Area Code 337: Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana
Area code 337 launched in 1999 when the 318 region split again. This code serves southwestern Louisiana, also known as Acadiana, the heart of Cajun and Creole culture.
The 337 region includes Lafayette (the fourth-largest city in Louisiana and the cultural capital of Cajun country), Lake Charles (a major industrial and gaming hub), New Iberia, Opelousas, Crowley, Abbeville, and smaller communities throughout the region.
About 900,000 people live in the 337 area code region, spread across parishes including Lafayette, Calcasieu, Iberia, St. Landry, Vermilion, Acadia, Cameron, and St. Martin. The area is known for its French-speaking heritage, unique cuisine, and vibrant music scene.
Economically, 337 covers significant oil and gas production, particularly offshore drilling operations based out of Lafayette. Lake Charles has emerged as a major industrial center with multiple LNG export facilities and chemical plants. Agriculture, especially rice and crawfish farming, remains important across the region. If you’re visiting for festivals like Festival International or Mardi Gras celebrations, you’ll be calling 337 numbers.
Area Code 985: The New Orleans Suburbs and Beyond
Area code 985 came into existence in 2001 as a split from 504. It serves southeastern Louisiana outside the immediate New Orleans metro core, creating a ring around the 504 region.
Cities covered by 985 include Hammond, Houma, Slidell, Covington, Mandeville, Thibodaux, Bogalusa, and LaPlace. The region serves about 750,000 residents across parishes, including St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, and Washington.
This area code captures some of Louisiana’s fastest-growing communities. St. Tammany Parish, particularly cities like Mandeville and Covington on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, has seen significant population growth as people move out of New Orleans proper.
The 985 region includes diverse geography from coastal communities and bayou country (Houma and Thibodaux) to piney woods (Bogalusa) to suburban developments (Slidell and Hammond). Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and Nicholls State University in Thibodaux are major institutions in this area code. Commercial fishing, oil services, and tourism drive much of the economy, along with growing suburban retail and service industries.
Understanding Time Zones in Louisiana
Here’s some good news: Louisiana keeps things simple with time zones. The entire state operates in the Central Time Zone year-round.
Central Standard Time (CST) runs from early November through mid-March, putting Louisiana at UTC-6. When Daylight Saving Time kicks in from mid-March to early November, the state switches to Central Daylight Time (CDT) at UTC-5.
This means Louisiana is one hour behind the Eastern Time Zone (where you’ll find New York and Atlanta), one hour ahead of Mountain Time (Denver), and two hours ahead of Pacific Time (Los Angeles).
For business scheduling, remember that when it’s noon in New Orleans, it’s 1 PM in New York, 11 AM in Denver, and 10 AM in Los Angeles. This makes Louisiana convenient for business communications across much of the United States. Unlike some nearby states, Louisiana doesn’t have any time zone quirks or counties that observe different times. From Shreveport to New Orleans to Lake Charles, everyone’s on the same clock.
Major Louisiana Cities and Their Area Codes
Here are Louisiana’s largest cities with their corresponding area codes:
- New Orleans (504) – Population: ~390,000, Louisiana’s largest city and cultural heart
- Baton Rouge (225) – Population: ~225,000, state capital and home to LSU
- Shreveport (318/457) – Population: ~190,000, northwest Louisiana’s largest city
- Lafayette (337) – Population: ~125,000, center of Cajun country
- Lake Charles (337) – Population: ~80,000, industrial and gaming hub
- Kenner (504) – Population: ~65,000, home to Louis Armstrong Airport
- Bossier City (318/457) – Population: ~62,000, across the river from Shreveport
- Monroe (318/457) – Population: ~48,000, northeast Louisiana regional center
- Alexandria (318/457) – Population: ~45,000, central Louisiana’s main city
- Houma (985) – Population: ~33,000, bayou country hub
How to Use Them?
Making calls in Louisiana is straightforward, but recent changes in some regions mean you need to pay attention to dialing requirements.
For local calls within the same area code:
- In 318/457 region: You must dial 10 digits (area code + 7-digit number) for all calls
- In other Louisiana area codes: 7-digit dialing usually works, but 10-digit dialing always works
For calls to different Louisiana area codes:
- Dial 1 + area code + 7-digit number (long distance charges may apply depending on your phone plan)
For calls from outside Louisiana:
- From elsewhere in the US: Dial 1 + Louisiana area code + 7-digit number
- From outside the US: Dial your country’s exit code + 1 + Louisiana area code + 7-digit number
Mobile phone considerations: Most cell phones automatically format numbers with area codes, making 10-digit dialing standard. Many unlimited plans treat all Louisiana calls as local regardless of area code, but check with your carrier to be sure.
If you have a landline in the 318/457 region, remember that even calling across the street now requires dialing all 10 digits. This change can take some getting used to, but it’s now mandatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many area codes does Louisiana have?
Louisiana currently has six area codes: 225, 318, 337, 457, 504, and 985. All six are active as of 2025, with 457 being the newest addition. The state manages these through the Louisiana Public Service Commission, which works with national telecommunications authorities.
What time zone is Louisiana in?
The entire state of Louisiana operates in the Central Time Zone. During standard time (winter), Louisiana is at UTC-6. During Daylight Saving Time (summer), the state moves to UTC-5. Unlike some neighboring states, Louisiana doesn’t have any counties or regions in different time zones.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls in Louisiana?
It depends on where you’re calling from. In the 318/457 region (Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria areas), you must dial all 10 digits for every call, even local ones. This became mandatory when the 457 overlay was activated. In other Louisiana area codes, 7-digit dialing often still works for local calls, but using 10 digits always works.
What is the oldest area code in Louisiana?
Area code 504 is Louisiana’s original area code, established in 1947 when the North American Numbering Plan was created. For the first decade, this single code served the entire state. Today, 504 covers the greater New Orleans area and remains one of the most recognizable area codes in the South.
What is the newest Louisiana area code?
Area code 457 is the newest, activated on September 25, 2025. It was added as an overlay to the 318 region in northern and central Louisiana. This happened because 318 was running out of available phone numbers due to population growth and increased demand for mobile devices and business lines.
Why was area code 457 added to Louisiana?
The 318 region was projected to exhaust its supply of phone numbers by late 2025 or early 2026. Rather than splitting the region geographically (which would force some people to change their numbers), regulators chose an overlay. This lets existing 318 users keep their numbers while new phone lines get assigned 457.
Which Louisiana cities have multiple area codes?
Cities in the northern Louisiana region now have two area codes: 318 and 457. This includes Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandria, Ruston, Natchitoches, and dozens of smaller communities. The codes overlap the same geographic area, so a business might have a 318 number while its neighbor gets assigned 457.
Are new area codes planned for Louisiana?
No new area codes are currently planned beyond the recently implemented 457. The overlay approach for 318/457 should provide enough phone numbers for northern Louisiana for at least the next 10 to 15 years. Other Louisiana regions like 504 and 225 are being monitored but aren’t projected to need relief in the near future.
Who manages Louisiana area codes?
The Louisiana Public Service Commission oversees telecommunications in the state, but area codes themselves are managed through the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA). Changes like adding 457 require approval from federal regulators, state authorities, and telecommunications companies. The Federal Communications Commission has final authority on area code decisions.
How do I identify Louisiana scam calls?
Knowing Louisiana area codes helps you spot potential scams. If you see an unfamiliar Louisiana area code calling when you don’t know anyone in that region, be cautious. However, scammers can spoof any area code, so the presence of a Louisiana area code doesn’t guarantee legitimacy. Never give personal information to unexpected callers, even if they claim to be from local businesses or government offices.
Additional Resources
For more information about Louisiana telecommunications and area codes:
- Louisiana Public Service Commission: Official state telecommunications authority at lpsc.louisiana.gov
- North American Numbering Plan Administration: Complete area code database at nationalnanpa.com
- Local Calling Guide: Check which calls are local vs long distance at localcallingguide.com
Looking for information about specific Louisiana cities? Check our detailed city pages for current time, local area codes, and community information.