South region · Central Time
Louisiana Area Codes
All 6 area codes serving Louisiana, the cities each one covers, and which are overlays. Louisiana is served by 6 area codes in the Central Time zone.
Last updated October 3, 2026
Full list
Every Louisiana area code
Louisiana is served by 6 area codes in the Central Time zone. 1 of these are overlay codes layered over busy metros; the rest are geographic codes.
| Code | Area served | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 225 | Baton Rouge metro and surrounding parishes in southeast Louisiana | Geographic | Since 1998 |
| 318 | Northern and central Louisiana including Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria | Geographic | Since 1957 |
| 337 | Southwest Louisiana and Acadiana, including Lafayette and Lake Charles | Geographic | Since 1999 |
| 457 | Northern and central Louisiana including Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria | Overlay | Since 2025 |
| 504 | New Orleans and nearby Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes | Geographic | Since 1947 |
| 985 | Southeast Louisiana surrounding New Orleans, including the Northshore and bayou country | Geographic | Since 2001 |
Area codes and dialing in Louisiana
Louisiana's 6 area codes mix older geographic codes with newer overlays. The busiest metros — around New Orleans, Shreveport, Baton Rouge — carry the most numbers and rely on overlays, which is why 10-digit dialing is required there. Quieter parts of the state may still use a single code. The oldest code in Louisiana is 504 (New Orleans), one of the original 1947 area codes.
Whenever a Louisiana region runs low on numbers, a new overlay is added on top rather than splitting the map, so existing customers keep their numbers. See 10-digit dialing for what that means in practice, or the newest area codes for upcoming changes.
Louisiana city area code pages
Look up the area codes for a specific Louisiana city: Shreveport · New Orleans · Baton Rouge · Lafayette.
Browse Louisiana another way
Explore by South region, by time zone, or jump to the city index. You can also see the complete numeric list of every US area code.
Quick answers
Louisiana area code FAQ
How many area codes does Louisiana have?
Louisiana currently has 6 area codes: 225, 318, 337, 457, 504, 985.
What is the main area code for Louisiana?
Louisiana has no single main code. Its original 1947 area codes were 318 and 504; today the main cities are served by 504 (New Orleans), 318 (Shreveport), 225 (Baton Rouge), 337 (Lafayette), 985 (Houma).
Does Louisiana require 10-digit dialing?
Yes, in its overlay areas you must dial all 10 digits, even for local calls. Dialing all 10 digits always works, so it is the safe habit.