Shreveport, Louisiana
318 Area Code
Establish a trusted local presence in Shreveport and northern Louisiana with a 318 area code number. Ideal for businesses that want higher pickup rates and local trust in Caddo, Ouachita and Rapides parishes.
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About 318 Area Code
Area code 318 serves Shreveport and the northern and central portions of Louisiana. Introduced in 1957 after Louisiana split from the original 504 code, 318 covers major cities including Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Bossier City and Ruston. The code extends across more than 30 parishes and supports local voice and SMS-capable numbers used by healthcare systems, universities, military installations and manufacturing operations throughout the region.
The 318 region blends oil and gas heritage with modern advanced manufacturing, logistics and healthcare sectors. Barksdale Air Force Base anchors the Shreveport economy, while Louisiana Tech, LSU Shreveport and other universities drive education demand. Businesses use 318 numbers for patient outreach, student services, logistics coordination and customer support. Local numbers deliver stronger trust signals and higher answer rates than toll-free or out-of-state alternatives, especially valuable for healthcare providers, government agencies and regional retailers.
FoneSwift lists live 318 inventory with real-time capabilities shown on this page. Search numbers to see Voice, SMS and MMS support. Note that area code 457 was introduced in September 2025 as an overlay, meaning both 318 and 457 serve the same geographic region. If a 318 number isn't immediately available, 457 provides identical local presence. Nearby Louisiana codes like 225 (Baton Rouge), 337 (Lafayette) or 985 (southeast Louisiana) can also work for broader regional coverage.
If you're targeting northern Louisiana, publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats such as (318) 555-1234 and +1 318 555 1234. The introduction of the 457 overlay means 10-digit dialing is now mandatory for all local calls, even within the same area code. Register A2P messaging traffic if you plan business SMS campaigns. For porting, review our porting guide. Many businesses keep their existing 318 numbers to maintain customer recognition and avoid announcing new contact information.
| Country | United States |
| State | Louisiana |
| Area code | 318 |
| Primary cities | Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Bossier City, Ruston |
| Counties served | Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Webster, West Carroll, Winn, Evangeline, St. Landry |
| Timezone | America/Chicago (CST) |
| Created | January 1, 1957 |
| International Format | +1 318 XXX XXXX |
| Local Format | (318) XXX-XXXX |
10-digit dialing is required for all local calls in the 318 region following the introduction of the 457 overlay in September 2025. Register A2P messaging for business SMS to comply with US carrier rules (10DLC).
Area code 318 uses Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) and observes Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) during daylight saving time from early March to early November.
Local 318 numbers are commonly used for higher answer rates and regional trust. Consider the 457 overlay code for additional inventory in the same geographic region, or nearby Louisiana codes like 225 or 337 for broader state coverage.
Quick Facts about 318 Area Code
Interesting tidbits about this area code 318
Original 1957 area code
Area code 318 was created in 1957 as one of ten new area codes introduced that year, making it one of the oldest active codes in Louisiana after the state required additional numbering capacity.
San Francisco connection
Before its permanent Louisiana assignment, 318 was temporarily used in 1951 during early direct distance dialing trials to route calls to San Francisco and areas north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
First Louisiana overlay
In September 2025, area code 457 became Louisiana's first overlay code when it was added to the 318 region, requiring 10-digit dialing for all local calls throughout northern Louisiana.
Parishes not counties
Louisiana is the only U.S. state that uses parishes instead of counties, a unique holdover from French and Spanish colonial history. The 318 region covers more than 30 parishes.
Military presence
Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City is a major economic driver for the 318 region and home to Air Force Global Strike Command, creating steady demand for military-related telephony services.
Louisiana Hayride
The Shreveport Municipal Auditorium hosted the Louisiana Hayride radio show, which launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, cementing the region's place in American music history.
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How Does Local 318 Phone Numbers Work?
A local business number is a structured telephone identifier that tells networks where to route calls and messages. When you use a 318 number in Shreveport and Louisiana, the digits signal the international gateway, the geographic region, the local exchange and the specific subscriber, so calls reach the right destination quickly and reliably.
The typical parts of a United States local number are:
- Country code (+1): identifies United States for international routing.
- Area code (318): directs the call to the Shreveport / Louisiana region.
- Central office / exchange (eg. 555): narrows the call to a local switching area or rate center.
- Subscriber number (eg. 1234): the unique line assigned to a person, extension, or device.
Example formats:
| International Format (E.164) | +1 318 555 1234 |
| Local Format (National) | (318) 555-1234 |
Quick Dialing Guide
The correct formats to reach 318 numbers locally and globally.
From Landlines
Standard United States FormatUse for domestic long-distance calls within United States.
From Mobile
E.164 InternationalThe universal format. Works on any mobile device, anywhere.
International
From abroadDialing from outside United States (exit code 00 varies by country).
With FoneSwift, your 318 number can be instantly configured through our intuitive dashboard. Connect it to call forwarding rules, AI voice agents, IVR menus, or route calls directly to any device. Enable voice, SMS, and MMS capabilities right from your account, no technical setup required. Your number becomes active immediately after purchase, and you can update routing, business hours, and integrations anytime.
For businesses, local numbers offer clear benefits: higher answer rates, stronger local recognition, and better performance for local campaigns and customer trust. Typical business features include call forwarding, call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail-to-email, and multi-device ringing.
Important operational notes:
- SMS & A2P: If you plan to send application-to-person messages from a 318 number, register your traffic where required and follow carrier rules (10DLC/A2P) to avoid deliverability or throughput issues.
- Number Porting: Bring your existing 318number to FoneSwift seamlessly. Our team handles the entire porting process, simply submit your number details and we'll coordinate with your current provider. Porting typically completes within 5-10 business days, and you'll receive updates at each step. There's no service interruption during the transfer.
- Display & formatting: Always publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats so international and mobile users can easily dial.
Ready to get started? Browse available 318 numbers in the phone numbers section above, you'll see real-time availability and can filter by features like voice, SMS, and MMS. Once you find your perfect number, purchase it in seconds and start making calls immediately. Our team is here to help you choose the right setup for your business needs, whether you're setting up AI receptionists, call forwarding, or SMS campaigns. Start your 14-day free trial today, no credit card required.
How to Get a 318 Phone Number
Buying a local 318 phone number using FoneSwift is easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get your local 318 phone number and start connecting with customers in United States today.
Create a new account on FoneSwift or sign in to your existing account to get started.
Once logged in, you'll be taken to your FoneSwift dashboard where you can manage all your phone numbers and settings.
Click on Settings in the sidebar, then go to "My Numbers" and click the "Add a Number" button.
Choose United States as your country from the dropdown menu.
Select Local as the type of number, then choose the 318 area code from the available options.
Click the "Search" button to see all available phone numbers with the selected area code.
Browse through the available numbers, select one that fits your needs, click "Buy Number", and confirm your purchase.
Your number is now active! Start making and receiving calls from the FoneSwift Dialer immediately.
You can configure your number to handle calls, forward calls, or even create an AI voice agent to handle the calls for you.
Businesses Using 318 Phone Numbers
Shreveport and northern Louisiana host healthcare, education, military, manufacturing and logistics businesses. Local phone numbers support customer-facing operations and regional campaigns.
Healthcare & medical systems
Major hospital systems and clinics use local 318 numbers for appointment scheduling, patient reminders, telehealth access and billing inquiries. A local area code improves answer rates and patient trust.
Higher education
Louisiana Tech, LSU Shreveport, University of Louisiana Monroe and other institutions rely on local numbers for admissions, registrar operations, campus services and alumni outreach throughout northern Louisiana.
Oil, gas & manufacturing
Energy companies, chemical plants and advanced manufacturing facilities use 318 numbers for vendor coordination, logistics, safety hotlines and plant operations across the Haynesville Shale region.
Logistics & distribution
Distribution centers, freight companies and regional logistics operations use local numbers for driver coordination, pickup requests and customer support across the I-20 and I-49 transportation corridors.
Gaming & hospitality
Casinos, hotels and entertainment venues along the Red River use 318 numbers for reservations, guest services, event bookings and promotional campaigns targeting regional audiences.
Government & public services
Parish governments, public utilities and community services use local numbers for constituent communication, permitting, public information lines and emergency services throughout the region.
Why Choose 318 Local Phone Number for Your Business?
Discover the advantages of having a local phone number that builds trust, increases engagement, and drives results.
Powerful Features for Your 318 Local Phone Number
Get the most out of your localphone number with FoneSwift's enterprise-grade features designed to help your business communicate more effectively.
Nearby Area Codes
Explore other area codes in the same region to expand your local presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities use the 318 area code?
When was the 318 area code created?
What is the 457 area code overlay?
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 318 numbers?
Can I get SMS-capable numbers in area code 318?
Is 318 a toll-free code?
How do I buy a 318 local phone number?
Where can I find official coverage for 318?
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