The 804 area code is the Richmond area code. It covers Virginia’s capital city, its suburbs and a stretch of east-central Virginia down to Petersburg and out to the Northern Neck. Since 2024 it has shared the area with 686.
This guide covers the location, the time zone and the history of 804, plus what to do about unknown 804 calls.
804 Area Code Quick Facts
| State | Virginia |
| Location | Richmond and east-central Virginia |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 during daylight saving time) |
| In service since | June 24, 1973 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 686 (overlay since February 1, 2024) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 804 Area Code Located?
Area code 804 is located in east-central Virginia. Main places:
- Richmond
- Petersburg
- Hopewell
- Colonial Heights
- Mechanicsville
- Midlothian
It also covers Henrico and Chesterfield counties, the Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula.
What Time Zone Is the 804 Area Code In?
Richmond is on Eastern Time.
- Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC-5, in winter
- Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC-4, from mid March to early November
That makes it three hours ahead of Los Angeles and one hour ahead of Chicago. If you are calling for business, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time is the safe window.
History of the 804 Area Code
- 1947: all of Virginia is in 703.
- June 24, 1973: 804 is split from 703. At first it covers the eastern two-thirds of the state.
- July 1, 1996: Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore become 757.
- June 1, 2001: the western part, including Lynchburg, Charlottesville and Danville, becomes 434.
- February 1, 2024: 686 is added as an overlay.
The neighbor to the southeast is covered in our 757 area code guide.
What Changed With 686?
Nothing changed for existing 804 numbers. New customers in the Richmond area may now be given a 686 number, and every local call needs the area code. Both codes are equally local.
Richmond is the seat of Virginia’s state government and home to several large banks and insurers, so official and financial calls often come from this area.
How to Dial a 804 Number
Because more than one area code can serve the same streets, always dial the full ten-digit number.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 804 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 804 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 804 a Scam?
An 804 number usually belongs to a resident, a state office or a business in the Richmond area. Fake calls about taxes, court dates and card fraud often copy those callers.
Watch for these warning signs:
- A recorded voice that says an account is locked or suspended
- A caller who wants payment by gift card, wire transfer or crypto
- A text with a link about a delivery, a toll or a refund
- A request for a one-time code that was just sent to your phone
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 804 call
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. A real caller leaves a message.
- Look up the company and call the number on its website.
- Block the number on your phone.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 804 Phone Number
A local 804 number helps a business look established in Richmond.
- Carriers: new lines in the Richmond area receive 804 or 686 depending on which has free numbers.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 804 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 800 area code.
Area Codes Near 804
| 686 | Same area as 804 |
| 757, 948 | Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News |
| 434 | Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Danville |
| 540, 826 | Fredericksburg, Roanoke |
| 703, 571 | Northern Virginia |
Related guides: 757 area code for Hampton Roads, 202 area code for Washington, D.C., 919 area code for Raleigh.
804 Area Code FAQs
What city is area code 804?
Richmond, Virginia. It also covers Petersburg, Hopewell and Mechanicsville.
What is area code 686?
It is the overlay for the 804 area and has been in service since February 1, 2024.
Is Virginia Beach in 804?
No. Virginia Beach has used 757 since 1996.
What time zone is 804?
Eastern Time.
Is 804 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 804 area code covers Richmond and east-central Virginia on Eastern Time. It has been in service since 1973 and now shares its area with 686. Verify unknown callers through an official number.
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