South region · Eastern Time
South Carolina Area Codes
All 6 area codes serving South Carolina, the cities each one covers, and which are overlays. South Carolina is served by 6 area codes in the Eastern Time zone.
Last updated October 3, 2026
Full list
Every South Carolina area code
South Carolina is served by 6 area codes in the Eastern Time zone. 3 of these are overlay codes layered over busy metros; the rest are geographic codes.
| Code | Area served | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 803 | Central South Carolina, including Columbia, Rock Hill, Sumter and Aiken | Geographic | Since 1947 |
| 821 | Upstate South Carolina, including Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson | Overlay | Since 2024 |
| 839 | Central South Carolina, including Columbia, Rock Hill, Sumter and Aiken | Overlay | Since 2020 |
| 843 | Coastal South Carolina, from Hilton Head through Charleston to Myrtle Beach and Florence | Geographic | Since 1998 |
| 854 | Coastal South Carolina, from Hilton Head through Charleston to Myrtle Beach and Florence | Overlay | Since 2015 |
| 864 | Upstate South Carolina, including Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson | Geographic | Since 1995 |
Area codes and dialing in South Carolina
South Carolina's 6 area codes mix older geographic codes with newer overlays. The busiest metros — around Columbia, Greenville, Charleston — carry the most numbers and rely on overlays, which is why 10-digit dialing is required there. Quieter parts of the state may still use a single code. The oldest code in South Carolina is 803 (Columbia), one of the original 1947 area codes.
Whenever a South Carolina region runs low on numbers, a new overlay is added on top rather than splitting the map, so existing customers keep their numbers. See 10-digit dialing for what that means in practice, or the newest area codes for upcoming changes.
South Carolina city area code pages
Look up the area codes for a specific South Carolina city: Charleston · Columbia · Greenville · Myrtle Beach.
Browse South Carolina another way
Explore by South region, by time zone, or jump to the city index. You can also see the complete numeric list of every US area code.
Quick answers
South Carolina area code FAQ
How many area codes does South Carolina have?
South Carolina currently has 6 area codes: 803, 821, 839, 843, 854, 864.
What is the main area code for South Carolina?
South Carolina has no single main code. Its original 1947 area code was 803; today the main cities are served by 803 (Columbia), 864 (Greenville), 843 (Charleston), 854 (Charleston), 839 (Columbia).
Does South Carolina require 10-digit dialing?
Yes, in its overlay areas you must dial all 10 digits, even for local calls. Dialing all 10 digits always works, so it is the safe habit.