Area code 803 covers Columbia, Rock Hill, Sumter, and central South Carolina. Learn about coverage, time zone, and how to get a local 803 number.
Area code 803 serves central South Carolina, including the state capital Columbia and surrounding communities. It shares its coverage area with overlay code 839. If you need a local presence in Columbia or central South Carolina, you can get an 803 phone number through Telnyx.
The 803 area code covers the central portion of South Carolina, from the Charlotte metro border in the north to the Georgia border in the west.
| City | County | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | Richland | ~135,000 |
Related articles
| State capital, largest in 803 |
| Rock Hill | York | ~75,000 | Charlotte metro area |
| Sumter | Sumter | ~40,000 | Shaw AFB nearby |
| Aiken | Aiken | ~32,000 | Horse country, SRS nearby |
| Orangeburg | Orangeburg | ~12,000 | SC State University |
| Lancaster | Lancaster | ~9,000 | Andrew Jackson birthplace |
| Lexington | Lexington | ~23,000 | Columbia suburb |
| West Columbia | Lexington | ~18,000 | Across river from Columbia |
| Cayce | Lexington | ~14,000 | Columbia metro |
| Fort Mill | York | ~25,000 | Charlotte suburb, fast-growing |
The region spans Richland, Lexington, York, Sumter, Aiken, Orangeburg, Kershaw, Lancaster, Chester, Fairfield, Newberry, Saluda, Edgefield, Barnwell, Bamberg, Calhoun, Clarendon, and Lee counties. For complete coverage details, see the NANPA area code map.
Area code 803 is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). During standard time, this is UTC-5 (EST). During daylight saving time, it shifts to UTC-4 (EDT).
The 803 area code is one of the original North American area codes established in 1947. It originally covered the entire state of South Carolina.
As the state population grew, 803 was reduced through splits:
Today, 803 and 839 serve the same geographic area centered on Columbia. New phone lines may be assigned either area code, and 10-digit dialing is required for all local calls. For regulatory details, visit the South Carolina Public Service Commission.
Columbia and central South Carolina have a diverse economy anchored by government, military, education, and manufacturing:
State Government
Military & Defense
Education
Manufacturing & Logistics
A local 803 number helps businesses build trust with customers in this region. Calls from local area codes have higher answer rates than unfamiliar or toll-free numbers.
Telnyx offers local phone numbers in the 803 area code. You get:
Browse available 803 numbers or contact sales to discuss your needs.
| Area Code | Region | Major City | Relationship to 803 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 839 | Central South Carolina | Columbia | Overlay (same area) |
| 864 | Upstate South Carolina | Greenville | Northwest (split from 803) |
| 843/854 | Coastal South Carolina | Charleston | East (split from 803) |
| 704/980 | Charlotte area | Charlotte | North |
| 706/762 | Eastern Georgia | Augusta | Southwest |
| 910 | Southern North Carolina | Fayetteville | Northeast |
What area code is 803? Area code 803 serves central South Carolina, including Columbia (the state capital), Rock Hill, Sumter, and Aiken.
What time zone is 803? Eastern Time (ET) — UTC-5 standard, UTC-4 during daylight saving.
Is 803 the same as 839? Yes, 839 is an overlay that covers the same geographic area as 803. Both area codes serve central South Carolina.
Do I need to dial the area code for local calls? Yes. Since the 839 overlay was introduced in 2020, all calls require 10-digit dialing (area code + 7-digit number).
