The 704 area code serves Charlotte, North Carolina and the surrounding metro, the largest urban area in the Carolinas. In service since 1954, it is now overlaid by area code 980. If a 704 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 704 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 704 |
| State | North Carolina (NC) |
| Major Cities | Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, Salisbury |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 980 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 704 covers the Charlotte metro in south-central North Carolina, including Mecklenburg County and the surrounding counties of Cabarrus, Gaston, Union, Iredell, and Rowan.
- Charlotte – the largest city in the Carolinas and a major banking center
- Gastonia & Concord – major suburbs west and northeast of the city
- Huntersville & Matthews – fast-growing Mecklenburg communities
- Salisbury & Monroe – established regional cities
From uptown banking towers to NASCAR country and lakeside suburbs, a 704 number is closely tied to the identity of the Charlotte region.
A Brief History of Area Code 704
Area code 704 was created in 1954 to serve the western half of North Carolina. Over the decades it shrank as new codes were added, including 828 for the mountains in 1998. The 980 overlay was added over the Charlotte region in 2001, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 704 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 704
Because 704 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 – 704-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-704-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 704 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 704 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 704 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 704 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 704 is a legitimate North Carolina area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 704, 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 impersonation | Callers posing as the IRS or SSA threatening arrest or fines |
| Bank & card fraud alerts | Claims of suspicious activity seeking your account details |
| Utility shut-off threats | Fake Duke Energy disconnection demands |
| Package delivery scams | Fake texts or calls about a failed delivery with a bad link |
How to report, block, and look up 704 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 North Carolina
Area code 704 shares and borders several other North Carolina codes:
- 980 – the overlay that shares the Charlotte metro with 704 (see our 980 area code guide)
- 828 – western North Carolina and Asheville to the west (see our 828 area code guide)
- 336 & 743 – the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem) to the northeast (see our 336 area code guide)
- 919 & 984 – the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham) to the east (see our 919 area code guide)
Explore more codes across the state on our North Carolina 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 North Carolina:
- Virginia – area code 804
- South Carolina – area code 803
- Georgia – area code 404
- Tennessee – area code 615
Frequently Asked Questions About Area Code 704
Where is the 704 area code located?
Area code 704 covers the Charlotte metro in North Carolina, including Gastonia, Concord, Huntersville, and Salisbury. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 980.
What is the difference between 704 and 980?
There is no geographic difference. 980 is an overlay covering the exact same Charlotte-metro territory as 704; it was added in 2001 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 704 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 704 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout the Charlotte region.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 704 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 704 Guides
- Is a 704 call safe? Read Is area code 704 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Charlotte area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.