West Virginia · Eastern Time
681 Area Code
Area code 681 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 304, so 10-digit dialing is required.
Last updated October 1, 2026 · Source: NANPA
Where is the 681 area code?
681 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 681 area code
- Charleston
- Huntington
- Morgantown
- Parkersburg
- Wheeling
- Weirton
- Fairmont
- Martinsburg
- Beckley
- Clarksburg
- South Charleston
- Bluefield
- Charles Town
Counties served by 681
Kanawha County, Cabell County, Monongalia County, Wood County, Berkeley County, Ohio County, Raleigh County, Harrison County, Marion County and Putnam County.
681 overlay codes and dialing
The 681 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 681 area code
681 went into service on March 28, 2009 as an overlay of 304, relieving number exhaustion in the Charleston 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 681 a scam or spam risk?
681 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 681 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 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
681 area code FAQ
Where is the 681 area code?
The 681 area code is in West Virginia, covering the entire state of West Virginia, in the South region.
What cities are in the 681 area code?
Cities in the 681 area code include Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Weirton, Fairmont, Martinsburg, Beckley and Clarksburg.
What time zone is 681 in?
681 is in the Eastern Time zone.
What is the overlay for the 681 area code?
681 shares its territory with 304. Both codes (304, 681) serve the same area, so 10-digit dialing is required for every call.
When did the 681 area code start?
681 went into service on March 28, 2009 as an overlay of 304.
Do I have to dial 10 digits for 681?
Yes. Because 681 is an overlay area, you must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7 digits) for every call.
Is 681 a toll-free or premium code?
No. 681 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.