Louisiana · Central Time
318 Area Code
Area code 318 is in Louisiana, serving northern and central Louisiana including Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria. It is in the Central Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 457, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 318 area code?
318 is a Louisiana area code covering northern and central Louisiana including Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 318 area code
- Shreveport
- Bossier City
- Monroe
- Alexandria
- Ruston
- West Monroe
- Natchitoches
- Pineville
- Minden
- Leesville
- Bastrop
- Marksville
Counties served by 318
Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Ouachita Parish, Rapides Parish, Lincoln Parish, Natchitoches Parish, Webster Parish, Vernon Parish, Morehouse Parish and Avoyelles Parish.
318 overlay codes and dialing
The 318 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 318, 457. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 318. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 318 area code
318 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Shreveport area ever since, with 457 later added as an overlay to supply more numbers.
Is 318 a scam or spam risk?
318 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 318 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Shreveport, LA or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Louisiana area codes
Explore more
See every code in Louisiana, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 3XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
318 area code FAQ
Where is the 318 area code?
The 318 area code is in Louisiana, covering northern and central Louisiana including Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria, in the South region.
What cities are in the 318 area code?
Cities in the 318 area code include Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandria, Ruston, West Monroe, Natchitoches, Pineville, Minden and Leesville.
What time zone is 318 in?
318 is in the Central Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 318 area code?
318 shares its territory with 457. Both codes (318, 457) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 318 area code start?
318 went into service on January 1, 1957 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 318?
Yes. Because 318 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 318 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 318 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.