Getting a call from a 513 number? Or looking to set up a business phone line with a 513 area code? This guide covers everything about area code 513 — from geographic coverage and time zone to scam protection and business phone options.
513 Area Code at a Glance
Detail | Information |
State | Ohio |
Major city | Cincinnati |
Time zone | Eastern Time (ET) — UTC-5 (EST) / UTC-4 (EDT) |
Overlay code | 283 |
Year established | 1947 (one of the original 86 area codes) |
Counties covered | 6 counties |
Type | Geographic |
NANP region | North America |
Source: North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)
Where Is Area Code 513?
Area code 513 is located in southwestern Ohio, serving the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area and surrounding communities. It was one of the original 86 area codes established in 1947 by AT&T as part of the North American Numbering Plan.
Geographic Coverage
The 513 area code covers a significant portion of southwestern Ohio, including:
Major Cities:
City | County | Population (est.) |
Cincinnati | Hamilton | ~309,000 |
Hamilton | Butler | ~63,000 |
Middletown | Butler/Warren | ~49,000 |
Fairfield | Butler | ~44,000 |
Mason | Warren | ~34,000 |
Oxford | Butler | ~23,000 |
Lebanon | Warren | ~21,000 |
Monroe | Butler/Warren | ~15,000 |
Norwood | Hamilton | ~20,000 |
Sharonville | Hamilton | ~14,000 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau estimates; AllAreaCodes.com
Counties Served:
County | County Seat | Notable Cities |
Hamilton | Cincinnati | Cincinnati, Norwood, Sharonville, Forest Park |
Butler | Hamilton | Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, Oxford |
Warren | Lebanon | Mason, Lebanon, Franklin, Springboro |
Clermont | Batavia | Batavia, Milford, Loveland |
Clinton | Wilmington | Wilmington |
Brown | Georgetown | Georgetown |
The 513/283 Overlay
As demand for phone numbers grew, Ohio implemented the 283 overlay area code to share the same geographic region as 513. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, you might have either a 513 or 283 number — both serve the same area.
This means 10-digit dialing is required for all local calls in the 513/283 region. You must dial the full area code + number even for local calls.
513 Area Code Time Zone
Detail | Information |
Time zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
UTC offset (Standard) | UTC-5 (EST) |
UTC offset (Daylight) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Daylight Saving Time | Yes — observed |
DST begins | Second Sunday of March |
DST ends | First Sunday of November |
Time Differences from 513
Location | Time Difference |
New York (212) | Same time |
Chicago (312) | -1 hour |
Denver (303) | -2 hours |
Los Angeles (213) | -3 hours |
London (UK) | +5 hours (EST) / +4 hours (EDT) |
Tokyo (Japan) | +14 hours (EST) / +13 hours (EDT) |
History of the 513 Area Code
Timeline
Year | Event |
1947 | 513 created as one of the original 86 area codes, covering most of western Ohio |
1954 | No changes — still one of the largest area codes in Ohio |
1996 | 513 split: the Dayton area separated into new area code 937 |
1997 | Post-split 513 covers only southwestern Ohio (Cincinnati metro) |
2020s | 283 overlay added to share the 513 geographic area due to number exhaustion |
Before the 1996 split, area code 513 covered a much larger region including Dayton, Springfield, and most of western Ohio. Today, the 513 region is focused specifically on the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Source: NANPA; AllAreaCodes.com
513 Area Code: Business Landscape
The Cincinnati metro area served by 513 is a thriving business hub:
Key Industries
Industry | Significance | Major Companies |
Consumer goods | P&G headquarters | Procter & Gamble, Kao |
Financial services | Major financial center | Fifth Third Bank, Western & Southern |
Healthcare | Leading medical institutions | Cincinnati Children’s, UC Health, TriHealth |
Retail & grocery | Retail headquarters | Kroger (HQ) |
Manufacturing | Legacy manufacturing base | GE Aviation |
Higher education | Major universities | University of Cincinnati, Miami University, Xavier |
Small Business Statistics (Cincinnati Metro)
Metric | Value | Source |
Small businesses in Cincinnati metro | 55,000+ | |
Businesses with <20 employees | 88% | SBA |
Service businesses (salons, medical, fitness, etc.) | 35%+ | Industry estimates |
Average small business call volume | 80-200 calls/month | Industry data |
For service businesses in the 513 area, every missed call represents potential revenue loss. According to AMBS Call Center, the average small business loses an estimated $126,000/year to missed calls. GetAira research shows 62% of callers won’t leave a voicemail and 85% won’t call back.
How to Get a 513 Phone Number
Option 1: Traditional Carrier
Contact a local phone carrier serving the Cincinnati area:
● AT&T Ohio
● Spectrum (Charter Communications)
● Cincinnati Bell (now altafiber)
Cost: $25-$75/month for a business line
Limitation: Physical location usually required; no AI answering
Option 2: VoIP Provider
Get a virtual 513 number through VoIP:
● Google Voice (free for personal)
● RingCentral ($20-$35/month)
● Grasshopper ($14-$80/month)
● OpenPhone ($15-$25/month)
Cost: $15-$35/month
Benefit: No physical location needed; use anywhere
Option 3: AI Phone Answering with 513 Number
Get a 513 business number with built-in AI answering through DeskBuddy:
● AI answers every call 24/7
● Books appointments via Google Calendar, Mindbody, or Square
● Trilingual support (English, Spanish, Chinese)
● $39.9/month includes 100 calls + dedicated number
Best for: Cincinnati-area service businesses (salons, dental offices, fitness studios, pet groomers) that want a local 513 presence with 24/7 AI answering.
Protecting Your Business from 513 Scam Calls
Common 513 Scam Patterns
Scammers often spoof local 513 numbers to appear legitimate. Watch for:
Scam Type | Red Flags |
IRS/tax scam | Threatens arrest, demands gift cards |
Utility scam | Claims power will be shut off immediately |
Tech support | Claims your computer has a virus |
Business listing | Threatens to remove your Google listing |
Warranty calls | “Your car warranty is expiring” |
Neighborhood spoofing | Uses a 513 number to appear local |
How to Protect Your Business
1. Never give payment over an unsolicited call — Legitimate businesses don’t demand gift cards
2. Verify caller identity — Hang up and call the organization directly using their official number
3. Register on the Do Not Call list — donotcall.gov
4. Use AI call screening — Services like DeskBuddy can filter spam/robocalls before they reach you
5. Report scam calls — File complaints with the FTC and Ohio Attorney General
Source: Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
513 Area Code: Neighboring Area Codes
Area Code | Region | Relationship |
283 | Same region (overlay) | Shares Cincinnati metro |
937 | Dayton, Springfield | Split from 513 in 1996 |
614 | Columbus | Central Ohio |
740 | Southeast Ohio | Rural areas |
859 | Northern Kentucky | Across the river from Cincinnati |
812 | Southern Indiana | Across state line |
Frequently Asked Questions
What state is area code 513 in?
Area code 513 is in Ohio, specifically serving the southwestern part of the state including Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Middletown.
What city is 513 area code?
The primary city is Cincinnati, Ohio. The 513 area code also covers Hamilton, Middletown, Fairfield, Mason, Oxford, Lebanon, and many other communities in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Clinton, and Brown counties.
Is 513 a safe area code to answer?
513 is a legitimate area code serving the Cincinnati, Ohio area. However, scammers can spoof any area code. If you receive an unexpected call from 513 and you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail or use an AI answering service to screen the call.
What time zone is 513?
Eastern Time (ET) — UTC-5 in standard time (EST), UTC-4 during daylight saving time (EDT). Cincinnati observes daylight saving time.
Can I get a 513 number without living in Ohio?
Yes. VoIP services and virtual phone providers allow you to get a 513 number regardless of your physical location. This is useful for businesses wanting a Cincinnati-area local presence.
What area code was 513 before the split?
Before 1996, area code 513 covered most of western Ohio including Dayton and Springfield. In 1996, the Dayton area split off into area code 937, leaving 513 for the Cincinnati metro area only.
Conclusion
Area code 513 serves the vibrant Cincinnati, Ohio metropolitan area — home to 55,000+ small businesses and major corporations. Whether you’re receiving calls from 513, setting up a local business number, or looking to capture every customer call in the Cincinnati area, understanding your area code is the first step.
For Cincinnati-area service businesses looking to never miss a call again, consider an AI phone answering service with a dedicated 513 number.