South region · Eastern Time
West Virginia Area Codes
All 2 area codes serving West Virginia, the cities each one covers, and which are overlays. West Virginia is served by 2 area codes in the Eastern Time zone.
Last updated October 3, 2026
Full list
Every West Virginia area code
West Virginia is served by 2 area codes in the Eastern Time zone. 1 of these are overlay codes layered over busy metros; the rest are geographic codes.
| Code | Area served | Type | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | The entire state of West Virginia | Geographic | Since 1947 |
| 681 | The entire state of West Virginia | Overlay | Since 2009 |
Area codes and dialing in West Virginia
West Virginia's 2 area codes mix older geographic codes with newer overlays. The busiest metros — around 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 West Virginia is 304 (Charleston), one of the original 1947 area codes.
Whenever a West Virginia 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.
West Virginia city area code pages
Look up the area codes for a specific West Virginia city: Charleston.
Browse West Virginia 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
West Virginia area code FAQ
How many area codes does West Virginia have?
West Virginia currently has 2 area codes: 304, 681.
What is the main area code for West Virginia?
West Virginia has no single main code. Its original 1947 area code was 304; today the main cities are served by 304 (Charleston), 681 (Charleston).
Does West Virginia 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.