318 area code — Shreveport, LA geographic
Area code 318 is a geographic code serving Shreveport, Louisiana in the Central time zone. It has been in service since January 1, 1957. Together with 457 it forms the 318/457 overlay. Because of number portability and VoIP, the area code tells you where the number was issued, not where the caller is right now.
NANPA lists 754 active NXX prefixes in 318, assigned to 53 carriers. 595 of those prefixes are pooled — shared between carriers in thousands-number blocks. The code spans 118 rate centers (billing localities).
Later relief produced 337 (1999), 457 (2025) from its territory.
Official projections put exhaust for the 318/457 complex at 3Q 2095.
The dialing plan is 10D for home-NPA local calls and 10D across codes.
Among Louisiana codes, 318 stands out as covers more rate centers (118) than any other Louisiana area code.
If a 318 call asks for money or personal data, treat the displayed number as unverified: hang up and reach the organization through its published number. Numbering data locates numbers, not callers.
Largest localities in 318
| Locality (rate center) | Active prefixes | Also served by |
|---|---|---|
| Shreveport | 172 | — |
| Monroe | 90 | — |
| Alexandria | 60 | — |
| Ruston | 20 | — |
| Natchitoches | 19 | — |
| Minden | 13 | — |
| Bastrop | 12 | — |
| Marksville | 11 | — |
| Winnfield | 9 | — |
| Oakdale | 9 | — |
FAQ
Is 318 a toll-free number?
No. 318 is a geographic code; calls are billed like any other domestic call. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Why do 457 and 318 cover the same place?
They are overlays: when a code runs low on numbers, a new code is added over the same territory instead of splitting it. The 318/457 complex shares one service area, and local calls are dialed with 10 digits.
Will 318 run out of numbers?
NANPA's current forecast projects exhaust in 3Q 2095 — decades of capacity remain.
Why am I getting spam calls from 318 numbers?
Scammers spoof recognizable area codes so calls look local or familiar. A displayed 318 number does not prove the call originated there — see our guide to spotting spoofed calls.