Area Code 803: Columbia, South Carolina
803 is a telephone area code serving South Carolina, including Columbia. It is part of the North American Numbering Plan and is dialed with the country code +1.
Numbers beginning with 803 are located in South Carolina, United States (NANP region: Midlands). The code covers Columbia.
How to Dial Area Code 803
| Calling from | What to dial |
|---|---|
| Anywhere in the US or Canada | 1 803 XXX-XXXX (10-digit dialing: 803 + 7-digit number) |
| Local call inside the same area code | 7-digit number in most areas; 10 digits where an overlay code is active |
| From the UK or Europe | 00 1 803 XXX XXXX |
| From Australia | 0011 1 803 XXX XXXX |
| From a mobile phone anywhere | +1 803 XXX XXXX |
Whatever country you are calling from, the + symbol replaces the exit code. Save the contact as +1 803 XXXXXXX and it will dial correctly from any phone in the world.
Time Zone for Area Code 803
Calls to a 803 number ring in the America/New_York time zone, standard offset UTC-05:00. Daylight saving time applies here, so the offset moves forward one hour from March to November.
Cities and Communities Served by 803
The following places fall inside the 803 calling area:
Other Area Codes in South Carolina
These codes also serve South Carolina. Area codes are assigned by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).
| Area Code | Cities / Coverage |
|---|---|
| 839 | Midlands (overlay) |
| 843 | Charleston, Myrtle Beach |
| 854 | Greenville (overlay) |
| 864 | Greenville, Spartanburg |
See all 5 area codes in South Carolina →
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is area code 803?
Area code 803 is in South Carolina, United States. It covers Columbia.
What time zone is area code 803 in?
Area code 803 rings in the America/New_York time zone (UTC-05:00 standard).
Do I need to dial 1 before area code 803?
Yes, for a long-distance call inside the US and Canada you dial 1 first, then 803, then the seven-digit number. The 1 is the North American long-distance trunk prefix — it is not the country code. From outside North America you dial your exit code then 1 then 803.
Is area code 803 toll-free?
No. 803 is a standard geographic area code, so normal long-distance rates apply unless your plan includes them. Toll-free NANP codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.