304 area code — Charleston, WV geographic
- State
- West Virginia
- Major area
- Charleston
- Time zone
- Eastern
- In service since
- 1947-01-01
- Overlay complex
- 304 / 681
- Active prefixes
- 785
- Rate centers
- 228
- Carriers
- 47
- Projected exhaust
- 4Q 2033
304 is the area code for Charleston, West Virginia, in service since January 1, 1947, Eastern time. It is part of the 304/681 overlay complex — these codes share the same territory. Note that porting and VoIP mean a 304 number can be used from anywhere — the code marks where the number was assigned.
785 central-office prefixes are currently active in this code, spread across 47 code-holding carriers. Thousands-block pooling applies to 507 prefixes, so a single prefix can belong to several carriers. Its prefixes map to 228 distinct rate centers.
Practical takeaway: the 304 label narrows geography to West Virginia, the prefix narrows it to a locality, and neither authenticates a caller. Verification means calling back through a number you found yourself.
Worth noting: 304 is the oldest area code in West Virginia, in service since 1947.
Dialing: 10D locally, 10D to other codes (1+10-digits permissible recommended).
NANPA projects numbering capacity for the 304/681 complex to exhaust in 4Q 2033.
It has since spawned 681 (2009).
Largest localities in 304
| Locality (rate center) | Active prefixes | Also served by |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Zone 1 | 70 | 681 |
| Huntington Zone 1 | 37 | 681 |
| Morgantown | 33 | 681 |
| Clarksburg | 27 | 681 |
| Beckley | 25 | 681 |
| Parkersburg Zone 1 | 25 | 681 |
| Wheeling Zone 1 | 24 | 681 |
| Martinsburg | 21 | 681 |
| Bluefield | 18 | 681 |
| Logan | 15 | 681 |
FAQ
Is 304 a toll-free number?
No. 304 is a geographic code; calls are billed like any other domestic call. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Why do 681 and 304 cover the same place?
They are overlays: when a code runs low on numbers, a new code is added over the same territory instead of splitting it. The 304/681 complex shares one service area, and local calls are dialed with 10 digits.
Will 304 run out of numbers?
NANPA's current forecast projects exhaust in 4Q 2033 — decades of capacity remain.
Why am I getting spam calls from 304 numbers?
Scammers spoof recognizable area codes so calls look local or familiar. A displayed 304 number does not prove the call originated there — see our guide to spotting spoofed calls.
Where is a 304 number from?
304 is assigned to Charleston and surrounding areas of West Virginia in the Eastern time zone. The three digits after the area code (the prefix) narrow it down to a rate center.