Area Code 113 - Location and Information Guide

Area code 113 is not assigned as a geographic area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Unlike standard area codes like 212 (New York) or 415 (San Francisco), the number 113 is not allocated to any specific region in the United States, Canada, or other NANP countries. This is because area codes beginning with '1' are typically reserved for special services rather than geographic assignment.

Understanding Area Code 113's Status

To understand why area code 113 is not in use, it's helpful to look at how the North American telephone numbering system works:

North American Numbering Plan (NANP) Structure

The NANP follows specific formats and rules for telephone number assignment:

  • Format: Area codes in North America follow the NXX format, where:
    • N is any digit from 2-9 (cannot be 0 or 1)
    • X is any digit from 0-9
    • The second digit was traditionally 0 or 1 (though this changed with expansion)
  • Special Patterns: Certain patterns like N11 (211, 311, 411, 511, etc.) are reserved for special services
  • Routing Significance: Numbers beginning with 1 are used for long-distance dialing rather than area codes

Why "113" Cannot Be a Standard Area Code

The sequence 113 cannot serve as a standard geographic area code in the North American system for several technical reasons:

  • It begins with '1', which is reserved for special functions in the telephone numbering system
  • The pattern '11X' (where X is any digit) is typically reserved for special services
  • It could potentially conflict with other service codes or internal network functions
  • It doesn't comply with the standard area code assignment pattern that has been in place since the 1940s

Alternative Uses of "113" in Telecommunications

While 113 is not a geographic area code, the number sequence does have various uses in telecommunications systems worldwide:

Emergency Services

  • Italy: 113 is the national police emergency number
  • Vietnam: 113 serves as the police emergency number
  • Romania: 113 connects to emergency services
  • South Korea: Previously used 113 for reporting spies (now 111)
  • Slovenia: 113 is used for police emergency calls

Service Codes and Special Numbers

  • Internal Network Codes: Some carriers use 113 for internal routing or testing
  • PBX Systems: Private telephone systems may use 113 as an extension prefix
  • Mobile Services: Some mobile carriers use short codes starting with 113 for services
  • Voice Mail: Certain voicemail systems use 113 for special functions
  • Specialized Information: Some regions use it for specific information services

Common Confusions About Area Code 113

People sometimes mistakenly reference area code 113 due to several common confusions:

Common Confusion Actual Explanation
Misreading area code 213 (Los Angeles) 213 is a legitimate area code for central Los Angeles, California
Confusing with international dialing code +1 + area code 13 Area code 13X does not exist in North America
Mixing with 131 or 311 service numbers These are legitimate special service codes in various regions
Confusing with emergency code 113 from other countries Some travelers recall 113 as an emergency number from abroad
Misremembering area code 313 (Detroit) 313 is a legitimate area code serving Detroit, Michigan

Similar Area Codes That Are Actually in Use

While 113 isn't an area code, there are several similar-looking codes that are legitimate and in active use:

Area Code 213

  • Location: Los Angeles, California (Central Los Angeles)
  • Established: One of the original area codes from 1947
  • Coverage: Downtown Los Angeles and immediate surrounding areas
  • Notable: Once covered all of Southern California; now much smaller due to splits
  • Neighbors: 323, 310, 818 and other LA area codes

Area Code 313

  • Location: Detroit, Michigan and immediate suburbs
  • Established: One of the original area codes from 1947
  • Coverage: Detroit city proper and some close suburbs
  • Notable: Strong cultural association with Detroit identity
  • Neighbors: 248, 734, 586 surrounding metro Detroit

Other "1" Prefixed Codes and Their Uses

While standard area codes don't begin with 1, various "1" prefixed three-digit codes serve special purposes:

Code Purpose Usage
111 Service/Test Number Internal telecommunications testing in many systems
112 Emergency Services European Union standard emergency number
113 Emergency/Service Police emergency in some countries; not an area code
211 Community Services Information and referral services in North America
311 Non-Emergency Municipal City services and non-emergency government assistance
411 Directory Assistance Phone number information service
511 Traffic Information Traffic updates and transportation information
611 Telecom Customer Service Carrier-specific customer service/repair
711 TRS (Relay Service) Telecommunications Relay Service for hearing/speech impaired
811 Utility Location "Call Before You Dig" utility line location service
911 Emergency Services Emergency police, fire, and medical in North America

History and Evolution of North American Area Codes

To better understand why certain numbers like 113 aren't used as area codes, it's helpful to look at the historical development of the North American telephone numbering system:

1940s: Original Area Code System

  • 1947: The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) was created by AT&T and Bell Labs
  • Original 86 area codes were assigned across US and Canada
  • Designed to work with rotary dial phones of the era
  • First digit: 2-9 (never 0 or 1, which had special routing purposes)
  • Second digit: always 0 or 1 (0 for states/provinces with one area code, 1 for those with multiple)
  • Third digit: 0-9 (but not 0 if second digit was 0)

1950s-1980s: Slow Expansion

  • Few new area codes needed due to limited telephone growth
  • Original pattern maintained: N0/1X format
  • Most regions served by just one or two area codes
  • System designed to last "indefinitely" based on projected growth

1990s: Area Code Explosion

  • Rapid expansion due to fax machines, cell phones, modems, pagers
  • 1995: Rules changed to allow second digit other than 0/1
  • New format allowed: NXX (where N=2-9, X=0-9)
  • Significantly expanded the pool of available area codes
  • Overlay area codes introduced (multiple codes serving same geographic area)

2000s-Present: Digital Expansion

  • Smartphone era further increased demand for numbers
  • VoIP and non-geographic services began using geographic codes
  • Continued preservation of patterns that exclude codes like 113
  • Protection of service codes (N11) maintained as critical infrastructure
  • Planning for eventual exhaustion of 10-digit NANP system

Interesting Area Code Facts

  • The lowest area code is 201 (New Jersey), one of the original codes from 1947
  • Area codes were assigned based on pulse counts in the rotary dial system (lower numbers to more populous areas to reduce network load)
  • New York City received 212 because it had the second-fastest pulse count (2-1-2)
  • Los Angeles got 213 (2-1-3) as the third-fastest
  • Chicago received 312 (3-1-2) as the fourth, and so on
  • No area code will ever begin with 0 or 1 under the current system
  • Canada uses the same NANP system as the US, with area codes like 416 (Toronto)

Finding Information About Phone Numbers and Area Codes

If you're trying to identify a phone number or area code, here are some reliable resources and methods:

Official Sources for Area Code Information

  • North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA): The official authority that manages telephone numbering resources
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Regulates telecommunications in the US
  • Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC): Canadian regulatory authority
  • International Telecommunication Union (ITU): For international country codes and standards
  • Telephone Service Providers: Often maintain area code information on their websites

Tools for Looking Up Phone Numbers and Area Codes

Several online tools can help you identify area codes and phone numbers:

  • Area Code Lookup Websites: Databases specifically for finding area code locations
  • Reverse Phone Lookup Services: Can identify the region and sometimes the owner of a number
  • Map-based Tools: Visual representations of area code boundaries
  • Mobile Apps: Phone lookup and identification applications

Phone Scams and Safety Awareness

Be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar numbers or unexpected calls:

  • Numbers that appear to be from area codes that don't exist (like 113) may be spoofed
  • International scammers sometimes use formats that look like domestic calls
  • Be wary of one-ring calls designed to get you to call back premium rate numbers
  • Use official verification channels rather than calling unknown numbers back
  • Report suspicious calls to the FCC, FTC, or your local authorities

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 113 a valid area code in the US or Canada?

No, 113 is not a valid area code in the United States, Canada, or any other country covered by the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Valid area codes in North America cannot begin with the digits 0 or 1 due to the way the telephone switching system was designed. Area codes in the NANP must follow the format NXX, where N is a digit from 2 through 9, and X is any digit from 0 through 9. Additionally, three-digit codes beginning with "11" are typically reserved for special services (like 911 for emergency services). If you've encountered a phone number that appears to have 113 as an area code, it's either a misinterpretation, a non-standard internal code, or potentially a spoofed number.

I received a call from a number starting with 113. What could this be?

If you received a call from a number that appears to start with 113, there are several possibilities: 1) It could be a spoofed number where the caller deliberately displayed a fake caller ID, 2) It might be an international call where the country code and routing prefixes are showing differently than expected, 3) It could be a special service call using a non-standard format, 4) It might be a misreading of the actual number (perhaps it was 213, 313, or another similar area code), or 5) In some cases, internal network routing numbers might appear on caller ID systems. Be cautious with unexpected calls from unfamiliar number formats, as they often correlate with telemarketing or scam attempts. If the call seems suspicious, it's best not to call back and consider reporting it to the FCC or FTC if in the US.

Why do some area codes begin with numbers like 2 or 3 but not 1?

Area codes in North America don't begin with 1 due to the original design of the telephone network and ongoing compatibility requirements. When the North American Numbering Plan was established in 1947, the system used pulse dialing with rotary phones. The digit 1 was reserved as a prefix for long-distance dialing, while 0 was reserved for operator assistance. This technical constraint meant area codes had to begin with digits 2 through 9. The prohibition against area codes starting with 1 has remained, even with modern digital switching, for backward compatibility and to avoid conflicts with special service codes that use the pattern N11 (like 911, 411, etc.). Additionally, maintaining this distinction helps the network immediately recognize whether a dialed sequence is an area code or a special service code, ensuring proper call routing.

Could 113 become an area code in the future?

It's highly unlikely that 113 will ever become a standard geographic area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The fundamental structure of the NANP prohibits area codes beginning with 0 or 1, and this restriction is deeply embedded in telephone network infrastructure. For 113 to become an area code, it would require a complete overhaul of the entire telephone numbering system across North America. Such a massive change would necessitate reconfiguring every telecommunications switch and updating countless systems that rely on the current format. While the NANP will eventually need expansion due to number exhaustion (potentially moving to 12 or more digits), the basic prohibition against area codes starting with 1 is likely to remain as a core design principle for backward compatibility and to avoid confusion with special service codes.

What are the area codes that are closest to 113 numerically?

The area codes closest to 113 numerically that are actually in use include: 213 (Los Angeles, California), which was one of the original area codes assigned in 1947; 223 (Central Pennsylvania), a relatively new overlay area code implemented in 2017; 212 (Manhattan, New York), another original area code known for its prestige and cultural significance; 313 (Detroit, Michigan), another original area code from the 1947 implementation; and 203 (Southwestern Connecticut), also from the original area code assignment. All these codes follow the NANP rules requiring the first digit to be between 2 and 9. The pattern 11X (where X is any digit) is reserved for special services like 911 (emergency), 411 (directory assistance), and 311 (non-emergency municipal services), which is why 113 itself is not an area code.