The 686 area code is an overlay serving the Richmond, Virginia region, layered over the 804 code across the state capital and central Virginia. Introduced in 2022 to supply new phone numbers, 686 covers the exact same territory as 804. If a 686 number has appeared on your caller ID, this guide explains where it comes from, how to dial it, and how to stay safe from spoofed calls.
Quick Summary: Area Code 686 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 686 |
| State | Virginia (VA) |
| Major Cities | Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, Chester |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 804 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 686 covers the Richmond metro and central Virginia, including the city of Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield, and neighboring counties. Because it is an overlay, it shares the identical footprint of the 804 area code rather than covering a separate zone.
- Richmond – the capital of Virginia and home to Virginia Commonwealth University
- Petersburg & Hopewell – historic Tri-Cities south of Richmond
- Chester & Mechanicsville – Richmond suburbs
- Colonial Heights & Chesterfield – established central Virginia communities
As the newer code over the Richmond area, 686 numbers are common among lines set up after the original 804 numbers grew scarce.
A Brief History of Area Code 686
Area code 686 was activated in 2022 as an all-services overlay on the 804 region. The 804 code dates to 1973. An overlay adds a second area code across the same geographic area, so existing 804 customers kept their numbers while new lines could be assigned either code, under mandatory 10-digit dialing.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 686 area code use Eastern Time (ET). The region observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4) between March and November each year.
How to Dial Phone Numbers in Area Code 686
Because 686 shares its region under an overlay, the area requires 10-digit dialing on every call.
Calling within the United States or Canada
- 10-digit dialing: Include the area code – 686-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-686-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 686 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 686 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 686 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 686 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 686 is a legitimate Virginia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 686, faking the caller ID so their number appears to come from a trusted local line. Neighbor spoofing, which mimics the first six digits of your own number, is especially common.
Common scam tactics linked to this region
| Scam type | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Government & state-agency impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS, SSA, or a state agency threatening arrest |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Student & scholarship scams | Fake tuition or financial-aid calls targeting VCU students |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Dominion Energy disconnection demands |
How to report, block, and look up 686 callers
- Never share personal or financial details with an unexpected caller, however urgent they sound.
- Block the number using your phone’s built-in call-blocking feature or a reputable call-screening app.
- Look up the number with a trusted reverse phone lookup before returning any call.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at DoNotCall.gov.
Nearby & Related Area Codes in Virginia
Area code 686 shares and borders several other Virginia codes:
- 804 – the original Richmond code that 686 overlays (see our 804 area code guide)
- 757 & 948 – Hampton Roads to the east (see our 757 area code guide)
- 434 – Charlottesville and south-central Virginia to the west (see our 434 area code guide)
- 703 & 571 – Northern Virginia to the north (see our 703 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our Virginia area codes hub, or browse every prefix in our US area codes directory.
↑ See the complete list of All US Area Codes by State – every area code across all 50 states in one directory.
Explore Neighboring States
Researching area codes just across the state line? Start with these codes in the states that border Virginia:
- Maryland – area code 410
- North Carolina – area code 704
- Tennessee – area code 615
- Kentucky – area code 502
- West Virginia – area code 304
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 686
Where is the 686 area code located?
Area code 686 covers Richmond and central Virginia as an overlay of the 804 code. It operates on Eastern Time.
What is the difference between 686 and 804?
There is no geographic difference. 686 overlays the exact same Richmond-area territory as 804; it was added in 2022 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 686 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 686 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout central Virginia.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 686 number?
If you are not expecting the call, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, while spoofed or robocall numbers usually will not. Verify any unfamiliar number with a reverse lookup before calling back.
Related 686 Guides
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.