686 Area CodeRichmond, VA
Area code 686 covers Richmond and nearby communities in Virginia, in the Eastern Time (ET) zone, home to about 1,463,163 people across 68 cities. It was added in 2024 as an overlay of 804, so the same region uses both 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 804
Where is area code 686?
Area code 686 serves part of Richmond, VA and the surrounding areas. It has a single overlay (804) that serves the same area.
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?
Area code 686 went into service on February 1, 2024, as an overlay of 804. An overlay adds a second code to the same territory instead of splitting it: existing 804 numbers kept their digits, new lines began receiving 686 numbers, and local calls in the region require all ten 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 code 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 804, every local call in the region needs all ten digits to land on the right line. Of the listed cities' population, Richmond accounts for about 32.7%; 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 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 | Population in 686 | % of listed-city population | % of City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | VA | 233,655 | 233,655 | 32.7% | 100.0% |
| Tuckahoe | VA | 44,990 | 44,990 | 6.3% | 100.0% |
| Mechanicsville | VA | 36,348 | 36,348 | 5.1% | 100.0% |
| Petersburg | VA | 34,058 | 34,058 | 4.8% | 100.0% |
| Short Pump | VA | 24,729 | 24,729 | 3.5% | 100.0% |
| Hopewell | VA | 22,970 | 22,970 | 3.2% | 100.0% |
| Chester | VA | 20,987 | 20,987 | 2.9% | 100.0% |
| Colonial Heights | VA | 18,674 | 18,674 | 2.6% | 100.0% |
| Meadowbrook | VA | 18,312 | 18,312 | 2.6% | 100.0% |
| Laurel | VA | 16,713 | 16,713 | 2.3% | 100.0% |
| Bon Air | VA | 16,366 | 16,366 | 2.3% | 100.0% |
| Highland Springs | VA | 15,711 | 15,711 | 2.2% | 100.0% |
| East Highland Park | VA | 14,796 | 14,796 | 2.1% | 100.0% |
| Glen Allen | VA | 14,774 | 14,774 | 2.1% | 100.0% |
| Brandermill | VA | 13,173 | 13,173 | 1.8% | 100.0% |
| Lakeside | VA | 11,849 | 11,849 | 1.6% | 100.0% |
| Manchester | VA | 10,804 | 10,804 | 1.5% | 100.0% |
| Wyndham | VA | 9,785 | 9,785 | 1.4% | 100.0% |
| Gloucester Point | VA | 9,402 | 9,402 | 1.3% | 100.0% |
| Rockwood | VA | 8,431 | 8,431 | 1.2% | 100.0% |
| Montrose | VA | 7,993 | 7,993 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
| Ashland | VA | 7,910 | 7,910 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
| Dumbarton | VA | 7,879 | 7,879 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
| Innsbrook | VA | 7,753 | 7,753 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
| Sandston | VA | 7,571 | 7,571 | 1.1% | 100.0% |
| Woodlake | VA | 7,319 | 7,319 | 1.0% | 100.0% |
| Ettrick | VA | 6,682 | 6,682 | 0.9% | 100.0% |
| Bellwood | VA | 6,352 | 6,352 | 0.9% | 100.0% |
| Bensley | VA | 5,819 | 5,819 | 0.8% | 100.0% |
| Chamberlayne | VA | 5,456 | 5,456 | 0.8% | 100.0% |
| Lake Land'Or | VA | 4,223 | 4,223 | 0.6% | 100.0% |
| Colonial Beach | VA | 4,038 | 4,038 | 0.6% | 100.0% |
| West Point | VA | 3,529 | 3,529 | 0.5% | 100.0% |
| Enon | VA | 3,466 | 3,466 | 0.5% | 100.0% |
| Fort Lee | VA | 3,393 | 3,393 | 0.5% | 100.0% |
| Gloucester Courthouse | VA | 2,951 | 2,951 | 0.4% | 100.0% |
| Matoaca | VA | 2,403 | 2,403 | 0.3% | 100.0% |
| Lake Caroline | VA | 2,260 | 2,260 | 0.3% | 100.0% |
| Tappahannock | VA | 2,199 | 2,199 | 0.3% | 100.0% |
| Prince George | VA | 2,066 | 2,066 | 0.3% | 100.0% |
| Waverly | VA | 1,934 | 1,934 | 0.3% | 100.0% |
| Warsaw | VA | 1,683 | 1,683 | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| Kilmarnock | VA | 1,464 | 1,464 | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| Central Garage | VA | 1,318 | 1,318 | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| Bowling Green | VA | 1,252 | 1,252 | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| Deltaville | VA | 1,119 | 1,119 | 0.2% | 100.0% |
| Amelia Court House | VA | 1,099 | 1,099 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Goochland | VA | 861 | 861 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Saluda | VA | 769 | 769 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Gwynn | VA | 602 | 602 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Mathews | VA | 555 | 555 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Urbanna | VA | 515 | 515 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Irvington | VA | 479 | 479 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| McKenney | VA | 465 | 465 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Dillwyn | VA | 439 | 439 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Templeton | VA | 431 | 431 | 0.1% | 100.0% |
| Cumberland | VA | 393 | 393 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| White Stone | VA | 389 | 389 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Montross | VA | 346 | 346 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Hanover | VA | 252 | 252 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| King William | VA | 252 | 252 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| New Kent | VA | 239 | 239 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Port Royal | VA | 216 | 216 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Heathsville | VA | 142 | 142 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Charles City | VA | 133 | 133 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Buckingham Courthouse | VA | 133 | 133 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| King and Queen Court House | VA | 85 | 85 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| Columbia | VA | 83 | 83 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
City population is shown in full. The share of each city inside 686 is measured from Census tract centroids, not estimated from a rate-center match – so a city split between two codes appears on both, at the fraction each one actually holds. The “% of listed-city population” column uses the full populations of the cities listed here.
What counties does area code 686 cover?
1,463,163 residents across 27 counties, counted inside the 686 boundary — a county split between codes contributes only its part.
| County | State | Population in 686 | % of area-code footprint | % of County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield County | VA | 364,548 | 25% | 100% |
| Henrico County | VA | 334,389 | 23% | 100% |
| Richmond city | VA | 226,610 | 15% | 100% |
| Hanover County | VA | 109,979 | 8% | 100% |
| Prince George County | VA | 43,010 | 3% | 100% |
| Gloucester County | VA | 38,711 | 3% | 100% |
| Petersburg city | VA | 33,458 | 2% | 100% |
| Caroline County | VA | 30,887 | 2% | 100% |
| Powhatan County | VA | 30,333 | 2% | 100% |
| Dinwiddie County | VA | 27,947 | 2% | 100% |
| Goochland County | VA | 24,727 | 2% | 100% |
| Hopewell city | VA | 23,033 | 2% | 100% |
| New Kent County | VA | 22,945 | 2% | 100% |
| Westmoreland County | VA | 18,477 | 1% | 100% |
| Colonial Heights city | VA | 18,170 | 1% | 100% |
| King William County | VA | 17,810 | 1% | 100% |
| Amelia County | VA | 13,265 | 1% | 100% |
| Northumberland County | VA | 11,839 | 1% | 100% |
| Lancaster County | VA | 10,919 | 1% | 100% |
| Middlesex County | VA | 10,625 | 1% | 100% |
| Essex County | VA | 10,599 | 1% | 100% |
| Richmond County | VA | 8,923 | 1% | 100% |
| Charles City County | VA | 6,773 | 0% | 100% |
| King and Queen County | VA | 6,608 | 0% | 100% |
| Sussex County | VA | 6,595 | 0% | 61% |
| Cumberland County | VA | 6,212 | 0% | 64% |
| Mathews County | VA | 5,771 | 0% | 68% |
Sources: City populations – U.S. Census Bureau PEP, Vintage 2024 (SUB-IP-EST2024-POP). State populations – the same program, Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA). Area-code footprint and county populations – 2020 Census Centers of Population, mapped against NANP area code boundaries. The share of each city inside a code is measured the same way, against Census place boundaries from the Census Bureau's TIGERweb service. Area code assignments – NANPA CO Code data. See our data methodology.
Has area code 686 been reported for unwanted calls?
Yes – 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing a 686 area code (Jun 1 – Aug 13, 2026).
- 45% robocalls
- ↓ 17% vs prior period
Most-reported subjects
- Other45%15
- Calls pretending to be government, businesses, or family and friends18%6
- Dropped call or no message12%4
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 2026-08-17.
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, 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 686 code (45% 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, 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 686 code (45% 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, 33 unwanted-call complaints were reported to the FTC for numbers showing the 686 code (45% 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 1,463,163 residents. It shares its area with overlay code 804.
When did area code 686 go into service?
Area code 686 went into service on February 1, 2024. It was added as an overlay of 804, so 686 numbers serve the same area that 804 already covered.
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.