686 Area CodeRichmond, VA
Area code 686 covers Richmond and nearby communities in Virginia, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 715,000 people across 68 cities. It overlays 434 and 804, so the region uses several codes and every local call needs all ten digits.
Overview
- Major City
- Richmond
- State
- Virginia (VA)
- Timezone
- Eastern Time (ET)
- Current Time
- Overlay
- Yes – shares area with 434, 804
Overview of the 686 Area Code
What is the 686 area code?
The 686 area code serves Richmond, Virginia, alongside other established area codes. When you see a 686 number, it indicates a local number within this geographic area.
Why was area code 686 created?
The 686 area code was introduced as an overlay to add numbers in Richmond once the existing area codes 434 and 804 began to run out of available prefixes. It added a new supply of numbers without requiring current residents to change their existing digits.
Geographic Coverage of the 686 Area Code
The 686 area code serves Richmond and surrounding areas in Virginia. It operates within the Eastern Time (ET) time zone. It complements the coverage of area codes 434 and 804. This area code covers several key cities, including:
- Richmond
- Tuckahoe
- Mechanicsville
- Petersburg
- Short Pump
- Hopewell
Got a call from a 686 number? It came from Richmond, VA. Since 686 overlays with 434 and 804, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Inside 686, Richmond holds about 33% of the population; the rest is split across 67 smaller cities.
Richmond Area Codes Overview
Richmond is served by multiple area codes, reflecting its telecommunications needs. The 686 area code operates alongside 434, 804. Here are the area codes serving this region:
The introduction of the 686 area code helped prevent number exhaustion, ensuring a continuous supply of phone numbers across the geographic area.
What cities does area code 686 cover?
| City | State | Population | % of Area Code | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | VA | 233,655 | 1% | 100% |
| Tuckahoe | VA | 44,990 | 0% | 100% |
| Mechanicsville | VA | 36,348 | 0% | 100% |
| Petersburg | VA | 34,058 | 0% | 100% |
| Short Pump | VA | 24,729 | 0% | 100% |
| Hopewell | VA | 22,970 | 0% | 100% |
| Chester | VA | 20,987 | 0% | 100% |
| Colonial Heights | VA | 18,674 | 0% | 100% |
| Meadowbrook | VA | 18,312 | 0% | 100% |
| Laurel | VA | 16,713 | 0% | 100% |
* Sources: Population – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 686 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 17 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 686 area code (Jun 1 – Jul 2, 2026).
- 24% robocalls
- ↑ 13% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other41%7
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends18%3
- Dropped call or no message18%3
* Caller ID is easily spoofed, so these figures reflect the number shown on caller ID, not the caller's true location – an area code alone never identifies a caller. The FTC does not verify the facts in these complaints. Source: FTC Do Not Call (DNC) Reported Calls Data, retrieved 2026-07-05.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 686 Area Code
Who called me from a 686 number?
A 686 number is assigned to Richmond, Virginia, so a call may come from there. But caller ID is easy to fake, and scammers often spoof a local 686 code to look nearby, so a 686 number doesn't prove the caller is local. Recently, 17 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 686 code (24% flagged as robocalls). If you don't recognize the number, let it go to voicemail; a real caller will leave a message.
Is 686 a scam area code?
No area code is a scam on its own. 686 is a normal, officially assigned code for Richmond, Virginia. Spam callers spoof local codes to raise the odds you answer, so 686 on your caller ID says nothing about who is really calling. Recently, 17 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 686 code (24% flagged as robocalls). Judge the call itself, not the area code.
Why do I keep getting calls from the 686 area code?
Repeated calls from different 686 numbers are usually spoofing: a robocaller rotates through 686 numbers so each call looks local and slips past simple blocks. Recently, 17 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 686 code (24% flagged as robocalls). Blocking one number rarely helps; voicemail screening, your carrier spam filter, and the Do Not Call Registry work better.
Should I answer an unknown 686 number?
If you aren't expecting a 686 call, let it ring to voicemail. Legitimate callers leave a message, most robocallers hang up when no one picks up, and answering can mark your number as active and bring more calls.
How do I block calls from the 686 area code?
Block a single 686 number from your recent-calls list (iPhone: tap the number, then Block this Caller; Android: tap the number, then Block or report spam). To cut the volume, turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone or spam protection on Android, enable spam filtering from your carrier, and register at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking the entire 686 code also stops legitimate local calls, so use it only as a last resort.
Where is area code 686?
Area code 686 covers Richmond and the surrounding area in Virginia, spanning 68 cities with about 715,437 residents. It shares its area with overlay codes 434, 804.
Is 686 a real area code?
Yes. 686 is an active code in the North American Numbering Plan, assigned by NANPA and in service for Richmond, Virginia. A real code can still show up on spoofed spam calls, so treat unknown 686 calls with normal caution.
What timezone is the 686 area code in?
The 686 area code is in the Eastern Time (ET). Because a number can be kept when someone moves or switches to VoIP, a specific 686 caller may not be in that zone.
How do I call a 686 number from abroad?
From outside the US, dial your country's exit code, then 1 (the US country code), then 686 and the seven-digit number. From a mobile phone you can usually just enter +1 686 followed by the number and let the phone add the exit code for you.