Virginia · Eastern Time
686 Area Code
Area code 686 is in Virginia, serving Richmond and surrounding central and eastern Virginia, including Petersburg and the Northern Neck. It is in the Eastern Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 804, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 686 area code?
686 is a Virginia area code covering Richmond and surrounding central and eastern Virginia, including Petersburg and the Northern Neck. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 686 area code
- Richmond
- Petersburg
- Mechanicsville
- Colonial Heights
- Hopewell
- Glen Allen
- Chester
- Midlothian
- Ashland
- Short Pump
- Powhatan
- Tappahannock
- Kilmarnock
Counties served by 686
Henrico County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Powhatan County, Goochland County, Prince George County, Dinwiddie County, Amelia County, Northumberland County and Essex County.
686 overlay codes and dialing
The 686 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 686, 804. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 804. Because more than one code covers the same ground, 10-digit dialing is mandatory — you must dial the area code for every local call. New phone lines may be assigned any of these codes.
History of the 686 area code
686 went into service on February 1, 2024 as an overlay of 804, relieving number exhaustion in the Richmond area. Rather than splitting the region, the overlay lets existing customers keep their numbers while new lines draw from the added code. Learn more in our overlay guide.
Is 686 a scam or spam risk?
686 is a legitimate geographic area code, not a premium or toll line, so a call from it costs you nothing extra. That said, scammers frequently spoof real local area codes to look familiar on caller ID. A genuine 686 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Richmond, VA or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Other Virginia area codes
Explore more
See every code in Virginia, compare codes across the South region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 6XX block or the complete numeric list of US area codes.
New to how this all works? Start with how area codes work, then read up on overlays, 10-digit dialing, and spam & scam-risk codes. To check another number, use the area code lookup tool.
Quick answers
686 area code FAQ
Where is the 686 area code?
The 686 area code is in Virginia, covering Richmond and surrounding central and eastern Virginia, including Petersburg and the Northern Neck, in the South region.
What cities are in the 686 area code?
Cities in the 686 area code include Richmond, Petersburg, Mechanicsville, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Glen Allen, Chester, Midlothian, Ashland and Short Pump.
What time zone is 686 in?
686 is in the Eastern Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 686 area code?
686 shares its territory with 804. Both codes (686, 804) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 686 area code start?
686 went into service on February 1, 2024 as an overlay of 804.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 686?
Yes. Because 686 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 686 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 686 is a standard geographic area code, so calling it costs the same as any local or long-distance call on your plan. Toll-free calls use 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 or 833.