The area code 681 is located in Charleston, West Virginia.
Area code 681 serves Charleston, West Virginia, as part of a statewide overlay with the historic 304 area code. Introduced in 2009, this overlay keeps new phone numbers available while keeping existing numbers in place. Because 681 overlays 304, both area codes cover the same places, and West Virginia uses ten-digit dialing for all local calls. Charleston sits at the meeting of the Elk and Kanawha rivers and follows the Eastern Time (ET) zone.
In Charleston, 681 connects callers to key government and cultural sites, including the West Virginia State Capitol with its gold dome and the downtown riverfront. The 681/304 overlay also serves many major West Virginia communities:
For dialing, use the area code plus the seven-digit number for local calls. From the U.S. or Canada, dial 1 + 681 + number; from abroad, use +1 681 + number. New lines in Charleston may be assigned either 681 or 304, and existing numbers keep their area code within the overlay. Fun fact: 304 was one of the original North American area codes created in 1947, and 681 is West Virginia’s first statewide overlay.
“681 overlays 304 statewide and began service in 2009.” — North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA)