Area codes 512 and 737

A map of Texas, showing area code 512 in white. Click on an area to go to the page for that code.

512 and 737 are North American telephone area codes serving central Texas, currently for telephones in and near Austin. Counties currently served by these area codes are: Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, Milam and Williamson.

The main area code, 512, was one of the original area codes established in October 1947. At the time, it covered most of the south-central portion of Texas, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mexican border. Besides Austin, it included San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Harlingen and McAllen.

Despite the presence of both San Antonio and Austin, 512 remained unchanged for 45 years. Finally, in 1992, the western part of its territory, including San Antonio, was split off as area code 210, making 512 the last of Texas' original four area codes to be split. On February 13, 1999, it was reduced to its current size when the southern portion (including Corpus Christi) was split off into 361.

Under current projections, 512 is expected to be exhausted by the end of 2013.^[1]^[2] To relieve telephone exchanges in the Austin area, area code 737, overlying 512, will go into effect in July 2013. Ten-digit dialing within the 512 territory will be phased in beginning December 2012 and will be made mandatory by June 2013.^[3]