What area code is 803?
Here's everything about it.
Instant lookup for the 803 area code — location, time zone, cities served, and who's been calling from it. No sign-up, no app.
803 at a glance
Summary
Cities & regions served by 803
ColumbiaShowing 12 of 18 recorded communities — major cities first.
Where 803 sits on the map
Overlay: 839Coverage area
About the 803 region
803 covers Columbia in South Carolina, including Richland, Sumter, Kershaw, Fairfield and Lee. The code has been in service since 1947 and is one of the original North American area codes.
As the Columbia region grew, 803 ran low on available numbers, so 839 was added as an overlay code over the same geographic area. Both codes are local to each other and 10-digit dialing applies throughout.
Created for all of South Carolina; 1995: split to create 864; 1998: split twice to create 843; 2020: overlaid by 839.
Who called me from 803?
Community reports- Caller ID is trivially spoofed: an incoming call that displays 803 does not prove the caller is really in the 803 region or even in the United States.
- Avoid calling back unknown one-ring numbers — some premium-rate scams rely on curiosity callbacks.
- Never share verification codes, payment details, or remote access during an unsolicited call, even if the caller claims to be your bank or a government agency.
- When a 803 call pressures you to act immediately, hang up and contact the organization directly through its official number.
Be the first to add a community report for a 803 number below.
Frequently asked questions
FAQWhat area code is 803?+–
803 is a telephone area code serving Columbia in South Carolina, United States, in service since 1947.
Where is area code 803 located?+–
It covers Richland County, Sumter County, Kershaw County and other counties, including Richland, Sumter, Kershaw, Fairfield and Lee in South Carolina.
What cities are in area code 803?+–
Major communities on record include Richland, Sumter, Kershaw, Fairfield and Lee, among others. The code's territory spans the Columbia region of South Carolina.
What time zone is 803?+–
803 observes Eastern (ET), which is UTC−5 / −4 DST and follows daylight saving time.
When did area code 803 start?+–
803 entered service in 1947 as one of the original 1947 North American area codes. Its history: created for all of South Carolina; 1995: split to create 864; 1998: split twice to create 843; 2020: overlaid by 839.
Why do calls to 803 require 10-digit dialing?+–
803 shares its territory with overlay code 839. Because both codes serve the same geographic area, the phone network needs all 10 digits to route a call, and calls between the codes are still local.
Is 803 a scam area code?+–
Scam and robocall traffic can use any North American code, 803 included — caller ID is easy to spoof, so the code alone does not tell you who is really calling. Check the community reports on this page before calling back an unknown 803 number, and report anything suspicious.
Can I get a 803 phone number?+–
Yes — most mobile carriers and VoIP providers let you request a 803 number regardless of where you physically live.