The 843 area code serves eastern and coastal South Carolina, the Lowcountry and Grand Strand, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head Island. Created in 1998 when it split from 803, 843 covers the state’s Atlantic coast and shares its footprint with the 854 overlay.
Quick Summary of the 843 Area Code
| Area Code | 843 |
| State | South Carolina (SC) |
| Region | Eastern & Coastal South Carolina (Charleston & Myrtle Beach) |
| Major Cities | Charleston, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Florence, Hilton Head Island, Conway, Beaufort |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (ET) – EST / EDT |
| Dialing Format | 10-digit dialing required |
Geographic Coverage
The 843 area code covers the entire coast of South Carolina, from Myrtle Beach and Conway on the Grand Strand in the northeast, south through the Charleston metro – including North Charleston and Mount Pleasant – to Beaufort and the resort island of Hilton Head near the Georgia line, and inland to Florence in the Pee Dee region. It borders North Carolina, Georgia, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Time Zone
The 843 area code observes Eastern Time (ET). Clocks follow Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) in winter and shift to Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) from mid-March through early November. All of South Carolina is on Eastern Time. From the West Coast, this region is three hours ahead of Pacific Time, so a 9:00 AM call in California reaches a 843 number at 12:00 PM local time.
Tip: Business hours across the 843 region generally run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
How to Dial a 843 Number
Because area code 843 operates as part of an overlay, 10-digit dialing is mandatory for every local and long-distance call. You must dial the full 10-digit number (843 + the seven-digit line number) even when calling a neighbor across the street. For international callers, dial your country’s exit code, then +1 (the North American country code), then 843, followed by the seven-digit local number.
Scam Alerts for the 843 Area Code
Like every U.S. area code, 843 has been used by scammers who spoof local numbers to appear trustworthy. Residents in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Florence, Hilton Head Island, Conway, Beaufort should stay alert to the following common tactics:
| Scam Type | What to Watch For |
|---|---|
| IRS / Tax Scams | Callers impersonating the IRS and threatening arrest over supposed unpaid taxes. |
| Utility Shut-off | Fake Dominion Energy callers demanding instant payment to keep your power on. |
| Vacation Rental Scam | Fraudulent Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head rental listings that vanish after you pay a deposit. |
| Storm Repair Scam | Fake contractors demanding upfront payment for hurricane or storm damage repairs. |
If you receive a suspicious call from a 843 number, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Do not share personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or passwords over the phone.
- Hang up and verify by calling the organization back using an official number from its website.
- Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Block the number and consider registering with the National Do Not Call Registry.
Red Flag: Legitimate agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or your local utility company (Dominion Energy or Duke Energy) will never demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Any 843 caller making such a demand is a scammer.
History and Economy of the 843 Region
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Area code 843 was created in 1998, split from 803, to serve coastal South Carolina; as the coast boomed, the 854 overlay was added in 2015 across the same territory. The regional economy is powered by the Port of Charleston, one of the busiest container ports on the East Coast, and by advanced manufacturing – Boeing builds the 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston and Mercedes-Benz produces vans there. Tourism is a massive economic force, drawing millions to historic Charleston, the beaches of Myrtle Beach, and the resorts of Hilton Head, while Florence serves as the commercial hub of the inland Pee Dee.
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Looking Up an 843 Number
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To identify an 843 caller, use a reverse phone lookup or search the full 10-digit number online. Businesses, resorts, and government offices across coastal South Carolina publish their 843 numbers, so a legitimate caller is often easy to confirm with a quick search. For unknown numbers, let the call go to voicemail – genuine callers usually leave a message.
Nearby & Related Area Codes
South Carolina is served by several area codes. If you are researching 843, these neighboring and overlay codes are worth knowing:
- 854 – Coastal SC overlay (same region)
- 803 – Midlands / Columbia
- 839 – Midlands overlay
- 864 – Upstate SC / Greenville
- 821 – Upstate SC overlay
You can also browse our full directory of South Carolina area codes for more regional guides.
↑ 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 South Carolina:
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 843 area code located?
The 843 area code covers coastal South Carolina, including Charleston, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Florence, Hilton Head Island, Conway, and Beaufort.
Do I need to dial 10 digits for 843?
Yes. Because 843 shares an overlay with the 854 area code, you must dial all 10 digits for every local call.
What time zone is the 843 area code in?
The 843 area code is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST/EDT), like all of South Carolina.
Is 843 the same area as 854?
Yes. 854 is an overlay of 843, so both codes serve the exact same coastal South Carolina region.
Related 843 Guides
- Is a 843 call safe? Read Is area code 843 a scam? Spam & safety guide.
- Local coverage: see the Charleston area code guide.
- Worried about spam or robocalls? Browse our Scam Alerts directory.