346 Area Code: Quick Overview, Location, Map, Scams
12 min read
What is the 346 Area Code? Time Zone and Location
- Area code 346 serves Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas — it is an overlay for area code 713 and serves the same area.
- Area code 346 is part of an overlay complex with area codes 713, 281, 832, and 621 covering the same geographic region — combined, this overlay complex serves a population of 7,122,240.
- The most populous cities in area code 346 are Houston, Baytown, Spring, Cypress, and Rosenberg, with other communities including Sugar Land, Tomball, Dickinson, Channelview, Humble, Katy, Alvin, Bellaire, Stafford, Deer Park, Friendswood, League City, Missouri City, Pearland, The Woodlands, Conroe, Galveston, and Texas City.
- The entire 346 area code region observes Central Time (CT) — placing Houston six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC−6) during standard time and five hours behind (UTC−5, CDT) during Daylight Saving Time from March through November. This shares the same time zone as Alabama's 205 area code, Oklahoma's 405 area code, and Illinois's 331 area code.
- Area code 346 was put into service on July 1, 2014, and was the 376th area code in service — one of 6 area codes introduced in 2014 — created to relieve the pressure on the 832 area code as numbers in 832 were being exhausted.
- Area code 713 was established in 1947, 281 in 1996, 832 in 1999, 346 was added in 2014, and 621 entered service in January 2025 — reflecting Houston's extraordinary and sustained population growth. 10-digit dialing is mandatory across the complex; format your business numbers using our Phone Number Formatter.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 346 |
| Country | United States |
| State / Region | Texas (greater Houston metropolitan area — southeastern Texas) |
| Area Code Type | Overlay area code (shares region with area codes 713, 281, 832, and 621) |
| Overlay Codes | 713, 281, 832, 621 |
| Major Cities Covered | Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, Baytown, The Woodlands, League City, Missouri City, Katy, Spring, Cypress, Rosenberg, Friendswood, Deer Park, La Porte, Alvin, Stafford, Bellaire, Tomball, Channelview, Humble, Conroe, Texas City, Galveston |
| Primary City Association | Houston, Texas (4th largest city in the United States) |
| Geographic Coverage | 56 cities across 8 counties in the Houston metropolitan area, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Chambers, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, and Waller counties |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| Standard Time Offset | UTC −6 hours |
| Daylight Saving Time | UTC −5 hours (CDT) |
| DST Period (2026 Example) | March → November |
| Introduced / Activation Date | July 1, 2014 — the 376th area code in service and the 26th area code in Texas |
| Reason for Creation | Created to relieve the pressure on the 832 area code as Houston's explosive population growth and mobile device adoption exhausted available numbers — Houston's 5-overlay complex is one of the most extensive in the entire NANP |
| Dialing Requirement | 10-digit dialing mandatory (due to 713/281/832/346/621 overlay complex) |
| Coverage Nature | Overlay complex — 713, 281, 832, 346, and 621 all share the same greater Houston geography |
| Population Coverage | Combined with overlays 713, 281, 832, and 621, serves a population of 7,122,240 across the Houston metro area |
| Nearby / Related Area Codes | 210/726 (San Antonio, TX), 281/713/832/621 (Houston overlays), 361 (Corpus Christi, TX), 409 (Beaumont, TX), 512/737 (Austin, TX), 936 (Conroe, TX), and 979 (College Station, TX). Compare with major southern and western commercial hubs like the 205 Area Code (Birmingham), 405 Area Code (Oklahoma City), 623 Area Code (Phoenix), and 380 Area Code (Columbus, OH). |
| Telecom System | North American Numbering Plan (NANP) |
| Major Carriers | Onvoy (17%), Aerial Communications (16%), AT&T Mobility (11%), Verizon Wireless (9%), and Bandwidth.com (6%) are among the primary carriers assigned 346 prefixes |
| Example Phone Format | (346) XXX-XXXX |
| Usage Type | Mobile, landline, VoIP numbers — with 26% wireless and 74% landline among assigned prefixes |
| Business Use | Strategically valuable for local presence in Houston — America's 4th largest city, the energy capital of the world, and one of the most globally connected and rapidly growing metro economies in the United States |
| Number Availability | Currently uses 729 prefixes, assigned from 346-200-XXXX through 346-999-XXXX — with lower utilization than older Houston codes like 713 and 281, ensuring strong availability |
| Area Code Status | Active and growing rapidly |
| Economic Profile | Houston is a global hub for energy, healthcare, aerospace, and international trade — home to more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, the Texas Medical Center (the world's largest medical complex), NASA's Johnson Space Center, and the Port of Houston (one of the busiest ports in the US) |
| Notable Distinction | Houston requires 5 overlay area codes — 713, 281, 832, 346, and 621 — one of the most extensive overlay complexes of any US metro area, reflecting the city's extraordinary and sustained population and economic growth |
Is the 346 Area Code a Scam?
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Spam Ranking | Ranked #114 for spam complaints nationally — one of the highest-volume spam area codes in Texas — accounting for approximately 0.33% of all spam complaints nationwide. This mirrors significant fraud traffic seen in other high-growth Sun Belt centers such as Arizona's 623 area code and New York's 315 area code. |
| Spam Growth | Spam calls in Texas increased by 267.94% over the past year — one of the sharpest statewide increases in the country — with the highest volume recorded in September 2025 accounting for 12.67% of all calls |
| Most Common Complaint Type | Text message complaints make up 38.14% of total reports — the dominant complaint type for area code 346 — indicating exceptionally high SMS/smishing activity compared to other Texas area codes |
| Top Reported Cities for Complaints | Houston, TX leads with 12.46% of complaints, followed by Katy, TX (1.53%), San Antonio, TX (1.36%), Dallas, TX (1.22%), and Waxahachie, TX (1.09%) |
| Peak Complaint Period | January 2026 saw the highest volume of complaints for area code 346, with February 2026 showing a 57.1% decrease compared to January 2026 |
| Common Labels | CenterPoint Energy impersonator, SSA arrest threat robocaller, fake Amazon MacBook order, Whole Foods secret shopper texter, fake Wells Fargo SMS, fake lawsuit threat caller |
| Spoofing Risk | Texas allows number portability, and scammers use neighbor spoofing to make calls appear local — the Houston overlay complex of 713/281/832/346/621 is one of the most spoofed clusters in the country due to Houston's enormous population and economic significance. Verify unfamiliar incoming callers with our Phone Number Validator. |
| 'Energy Capital' Exploitation | The 281, 346, 713, and 832 area codes are heavily targeted by CenterPoint Energy disconnection scams — criminals frequently spoof the real CenterPoint Energy phone numbers to threaten power disconnection within 30 minutes, knowing Houston's universal reliance on CenterPoint makes this threat maximally effective |
| Typical Strategy | Neighbor spoofing — appearing as a familiar Houston, Katy, or Sugar Land number to build trust before making CenterPoint Energy, SSA, Amazon, or fake lawsuit threats |
| Signature Scam — CenterPoint Energy 30-Minute Disconnection | Criminals spoof the real CenterPoint Energy phone numbers (713-659-2111 and 713-207-2222) and call claiming your gas or electricity account is past due and service will be disconnected in 30–45 minutes — often knowing your name, address, and recent bill amount — demanding immediate payment by prepaid card, stealing your money while real CenterPoint sends multiple written notices and offers payment plans long before any disconnection |
| Signature Scam — SSA/IRS Arrest Warrant | Residents in the Houston area receive automated calls claiming there is 'fraudulent activity' or 'legal enforcement actions' connected to their Social Security Number — the robotic voice threatens immediate arrest, warns that bank accounts will be frozen, or that the SSN will be suspended if recipients do not call back immediately, tricking them into providing personal information |
| Signature Scam — Fake Amazon MacBook/iPhone Order Email | A scam email that looks like it's from Amazon falsely confirms an expensive order — such as a 'MacBook Pro' or 'iPhone 12 Pro' — being shipped to 'Mark Walton' at a fake Texas address, providing a local 346 callback number to 'cancel' it, then stealing account login details, personal information, or credit card numbers when the panicked recipient calls back |
| Signature Scam — Whole Foods 'Secret Shopper' Job | Fake secret shopper job scams specifically targeting the Houston metro use the Whole Foods brand (headquartered in Texas) — victims are offered well-paying mystery shopper assignments, sent fraudulent checks to 'cover expenses,' then asked to wire back or purchase gift cards with the excess funds, leaving them liable when the check bounces |
| Signature Scam — Fake Wells Fargo SMS | Massive waves of fake Wells Fargo text messages target Houston-area residents asking them to confirm their contact details or verify suspicious account activity — Wells Fargo has a major Houston presence, making the impersonation especially credible to local banking customers |
| Reporting Authority | Report suspicious calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the Texas AG at texasattorneygeneral.gov; for CenterPoint Energy scams, call CenterPoint directly at 713-207-2222; for Wells Fargo fraud, call 1-800-869-3557 |
| Key Risk Indicator | CenterPoint Energy calls threatening 30-minute power disconnection, SSA/IRS calls threatening arrest if you don't call back, Amazon order confirmation emails for products you never bought, text messages from Wells Fargo asking for account verification, or secret shopper job offers that mail you a check first |
| Safety Tip | Real CenterPoint Energy sends multiple written notices before disconnection and never demands immediate prepaid card payment over the phone — always hang up and call CenterPoint directly at the number on your bill to verify your account status before taking any action. Keep your phone line secure with our Voicemail Greeting Generator. |
What Are the Business Benefits of the 346 Area Code?
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Local Presence | A 346 number establishes immediate credibility in Houston — America's 4th largest city, the energy capital of the world, and one of the most globally connected and rapidly growing metropolitan economies in the United States. Deploy an AI receptionist to capture inbound leads and handle high call volumes 24/7. |
| Customer Trust Factor | A local Houston 346 number dramatically increases answer rates vs. unknown out-of-state numbers in a sprawling, diverse metro where local identity and community connections are strong drivers of consumer trust |
| Coverage Advantage | One number covers 56 cities across 8 counties in the Houston metropolitan area, spanning from downtown Houston through the Energy Corridor to The Woodlands in the north, Sugar Land in the southwest, League City and Galveston in the southeast, and Katy in the west |
| Energy Sector Dominance | Houston is the undisputed energy capital of the world — home to the headquarters of ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and dozens of other major energy companies — making a 346 number essential for any business operating in the global energy ecosystem |
| VoIP Compatibility | Easily available for SaaS platforms, call centers, and remote teams serving the Houston market. Plan call center capacity accurately using our Erlang C Staffing Calculator. |
| Scalability | Covers roughly 6.6 million unique phone numbers — with lower prefix utilization than older Houston codes like 713 and 281, ensuring strong long-term availability |
| Marketing Use | Ideal for local SEO, digital ads, and customer outreach across Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, Baytown, The Woodlands, League City, Missouri City, Katy, Spring, Friendswood, and surrounding communities. Evaluate your customer acquisition efficiency with our Customer Acquisition Cost Calculator. |
| Startup Friendly | Highly attractive for energy technology, healthcare IT, aerospace, logistics, and fintech startups given Houston's extraordinary concentration of energy companies, the Texas Medical Center, NASA Johnson Space Center, and the Port of Houston. Map and forecast revenue milestones with our Sales Growth Calculator. |
| No State Income Tax Advantage | Texas has no state income tax — a 346 number combined with Houston's lower cost of operations vs. coastal cities makes it an exceptionally attractive base for businesses seeking access to one of America's most dynamic metro economies |
| Call Routing Flexibility | Can route calls globally while appearing local to Houston customers — particularly valuable for international energy, shipping, and logistics companies managing global operations from Houston, similar to how the 205 Area Code serves Birmingham and the 405 Area Code serves Oklahoma City. |
| Top Industries | Energy (ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes), healthcare (Texas Medical Center — the world's largest medical complex, Houston Methodist, MD Anderson Cancer Center), aerospace (NASA Johnson Space Center), port and logistics (Port of Houston), technology, finance, and retail benefit most from a local 346 presence |
| Use Case Examples | AI receptionist, energy sector engineering and operations support lines, healthcare practice and hospital network lines, NASA and aerospace contractor lines, port and logistics dispatch, financial advisory and banking services, real estate agencies (one of the fastest-growing US housing markets), university-affiliated services (University of Houston, Rice University), and local retail and hospitality businesses |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is the 346 Area Code?
What area does the 346 area code cover?
The 346 area code serves the Houston metropolitan area in southeastern Texas, including cities such as Houston, Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, Katy, and Baytown.
When was the 346 area code introduced?
The 346 area code was introduced on July 1, 2014, as an overlay to meet the rapid demand for phone numbers across the greater Houston region.
Which area codes overlap with 346?
The 346 area code is an overlay for the exact same region served by area codes 713, 281, 832, and 621 in the greater Houston area.
Is 346 a Houston area code?
Yes, 346 is one of the official overlay area codes used throughout Houston and surrounding communities in southeastern Texas.
What time zone is the 346 area code in?
The 346 area code is located in the Central Time Zone (CT), observing Central Standard Time (UTC−6) and Central Daylight Time (UTC−5) during Daylight Saving Time.
Do I need to dial the area code when calling a 346 number?
Yes, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for all local calls within the Houston overlay region, requiring the 3-digit area code followed by the 7-digit local number.
Can businesses use a 346 area code number?
Yes, businesses commonly use 346 numbers to establish an authentic local presence in Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, and across the Texas Gulf Coast.
Is the 346 area code for mobile phones only?
No, the 346 area code supports mobile devices, landlines, and modern cloud VoIP telephone systems.
What counties are covered by the 346 area code?
The 346 area code covers 8 counties in southeastern Texas, including Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, Brazoria, Chambers, Liberty, and Waller counties.
Why was the 346 area code added?
The 346 area code was added because rapid business growth and population influx in the Houston metro were exhausting available phone numbers in 713, 281, and 832.
Can I still get a 346 phone number?
Yes, 346 numbers are actively issued and widely available through major telecom carriers and virtual PBX providers.
Is the 346 area code toll-free?
No, the 346 area code is a standard geographic area code and is not toll-free. Toll-free numbers use prefixes like 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833.
Are spam calls common from 346 numbers?
Spammers and robocallers frequently spoof 346 numbers due to Houston's large population. Always verify suspicious incoming callers using our Phone Number Validator.
How can I identify a caller from a 346 number?
You can identify the carrier, line type, and legitimacy of an unknown 346 caller using our Phone Number Validator.
What cities besides Houston use the 346 area code?
Key communities in the 346 area code include Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, Katy, Baytown, Missouri City, Spring, Cypress, Conroe, and The Woodlands.
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