West Virginia · Eastern Time
304 Area Code
Area code 304 is in West Virginia, serving the entire state of West Virginia. It is in the Eastern Time zone. It shares its territory with overlay code 681, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 304 area code?
304 is a West Virginia area code covering the entire state of West Virginia. In the wider directory it sits in the South region.
Cities in the 304 area code
- Charleston
- Huntington
- Morgantown
- Parkersburg
- Wheeling
- Weirton
- Fairmont
- Martinsburg
- Beckley
- Clarksburg
- South Charleston
- Bluefield
- Charles Town
Counties served by 304
Kanawha County, Cabell County, Monongalia County, Wood County, Berkeley County, Ohio County, Raleigh County, Harrison County, Marion County and Putnam County.
304 overlay codes and dialing
The 304 territory is covered by an overlay of 2 area codes: 304, 681. All of them serve the same geographic area, and the original code is 304. 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 304 area code
304 is one of the original area codes assigned in 1947, when AT&T and Bell Laboratories created the North American Numbering Plan and divided the country into the first 86 numbering plan areas. It has served the Charleston area ever since, with 681 later added as an overlay to supply more numbers.
Is 304 a scam or spam risk?
304 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 304 number on your screen is no guarantee the caller is in Charleston, WV or trustworthy. See spam & scam-risk area codes for how spoofing works and how to respond.
Explore more
See every code in West Virginia, compare codes across the South region, or view all Eastern Time codes. You can also browse the 3XX 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
304 area code FAQ
Where is the 304 area code?
The 304 area code is in West Virginia, covering the entire state of West Virginia, in the South region.
What cities are in the 304 area code?
Cities in the 304 area code include Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Weirton, Fairmont, Martinsburg, Beckley and Clarksburg.
What time zone is 304 in?
304 is in the Eastern Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 304 area code?
304 shares its territory with 681. Both codes (304, 681) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 304 area code start?
304 went into service on January 1, 1947 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 304?
Yes. Because 304 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 304 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 304 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.