The 804 area code serves Richmond and central Virginia, centered on the state capital. In service since 1973, it is now overlaid by area code 686. If an 804 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 804 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Area Code | 804 |
| State | Virginia (VA) |
| Major Cities | Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, Chester |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) |
| Country Code | +1 (USA) |
| Overlay Codes | 686 (co-located) |
Geographic Coverage & Major Cities
Area code 804 covers the Richmond metro and central Virginia, including the city of Richmond and Henrico, Chesterfield, and neighboring counties along the James River.
- 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
From the seat of state government to James River history, an 804 number is closely tied to the identity of central Virginia.
A Brief History of Area Code 804
Area code 804 was created in 1973 in a split from the 703 code, covering eastern and central Virginia. In 1996, Hampton Roads split off into the 757 code, and in 2001 the Charlottesville and Lynchburg areas split into 434. The 686 overlay was added over the Richmond region in 2022, and 10-digit dialing became mandatory.
Time Zone & Best Time to Call
Numbers in the 804 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 804
Because 804 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 – 804-XXX-XXXX.
- 11-digit dialing: You can also dial 1-804-XXX-XXXX; the leading 1 is the NANP country code.
Calling from outside the United States
- Format: [exit code] + 1 + 804 + XXX + XXXX
- From the UK, Europe, or most of Asia/Africa: 00 1 804 XXX XXXX
- From any mobile phone worldwide: +1 804 XXX XXXX
Is Area Code 804 a Scam? Safety & Protection Tips
Area code 804 is a legitimate Virginia area code – a call from it is not fraudulent by default. However, scammers frequently spoof local codes like 804, 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 804 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 804 shares and borders several other Virginia codes:
- 686 – the overlay that shares the Richmond area with 804 (see our 686 area code guide)
- 757 & 948 – Hampton Roads to the east, split from 804 in 1996 (see our 757 area code guide)
- 434 – Charlottesville and south-central Virginia to the west, split from 804 (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 804
Where is the 804 area code located?
Area code 804 covers Richmond and central Virginia, including Petersburg, Hopewell, and Chester. It operates on Eastern Time and is overlaid by area code 686.
What is the difference between 804 and 686?
There is no geographic difference. 686 is an overlay covering the exact same Richmond-area territory as 804; it was added in 2022 simply to supply more phone numbers.
Is 804 a landline or cell phone area code?
Both. Area code 804 serves landlines, mobile phones, and VoIP numbers throughout central Virginia.
Should I answer a call from an unknown 804 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 804 Guides
- Is a 804 call safe? Read Is area code 804 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Richmond area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.