Texas · Central Time
817 Area Code
The 817 area code is a telephone area code in Texas, covering Fort Worth and the surrounding area. It lies in the Central Time zone for most of its territory.
Last updated June 5, 2026
Where is the 817 area code?
817 serves Fort Worth and nearby communities in Texas. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Time zone note: Almost all of Texas is Central; far-west El Paso is Mountain.
Overlay codes serving Fort Worth
Fort Worth is served by an overlay of 2 area codes: 682, 817. Because more than one code covers the same area, 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, so Fort Worth numbers are no longer tied to a single prefix.
History of the 817 area code
817 was introduced as an overlay to relieve number exhaustion in the Fort Worth area, adding capacity on top of 682 rather than splitting the region. Overlays let existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 817 a scam or spam risk?
817 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 817 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is local or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Texas area codes
Explore more
See every code in Texas, compare codes across the South region, or view all Central Time codes. You can also browse the 8XX 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
817 area code FAQ
Where is the 817 area code?
The 817 area code is in Texas, serving Fort Worth and the surrounding area in the South region.
What time zone is 817 in?
817 is in the Central Time zone. Almost all of Texas is Central; far-west El Paso is Mountain.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 817?
Yes. Because Fort Worth is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 817 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 817 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.