Area code
704
704 is a United States area code. Under the North American Numbering Plan it belongs to North Carolina, which has 10 area codes in total.
Validate a number in 704
Paste a full number and the tool checks it against the numbering plan. It returns the standard formats, the line type the plan assigns and the area code region.
Digits with or without punctuation work. Numbers outside the US are read with the +country code.
Area code 704 at a glance
NANPA lists 782 central office codes (prefixes) in use in area code 704, held by 26 holders across 57 rate centers.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| In service since | 1947-01-01 |
| Time zone | Eastern (E) |
| Assigned overlays | 980 (2001-04-01) |
| Prefixes in use | 782 |
| Pooled prefixes | 500 (64%) |
| Rate centers | 57 |
| Companies holding prefixes | 26 |
| Assignment dates on file | 2001-01-05 to 2023-07-18 (130 prefixes) |
| ZIP codes in its places | 132 |
Rate centers in area code 704
The largest rate center is CHARLOTTE, with 345 prefixes (44%).
| Rate center | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CHARLOTTE | 345 | 44% |
| GASTONIA | 51 | 7% |
| CONCORD | 37 | 5% |
| SALISBURY | 33 | 4% |
| STATESVL | 33 | 4% |
| MONROE | 31 | 4% |
| SHELBY | 25 | 3% |
| DAVIDSON | 16 | 2% |
| 49 other rate centers | 211 | 27% |
Who holds the prefixes in 704
Southern Bell Tel & Tel holds the most prefixes, 243 (31%). 64% of the prefixes are pooled, which means their thousands-blocks can belong to different companies.
| Holder | Prefixes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Bell Tel & Tel | 243 | 31% |
| Verizon Wireless | 95 | 12% |
| T-Mobile USA | 60 | 8% |
| New Cingular Wireless PCS | 55 | 7% |
| Windstream Concord Telephone | 46 | 6% |
| Paetec Itel | 45 | 6% |
| 20 other carriers | 238 | 30% |
A prefix holder is the company a code was assigned to, not necessarily a number's current carrier, because numbers can be ported to another company. Find which carrier a number is on, or browse the prefix holders.
History of area code 704
- 1947-01-01 Area code 704 went into service.
- 1998-03-22 Area code 828 went into service and names 704 as its parent.
- 2001-04-01 Area code 980 went into service as an overlay in the same area as 704.
Area codes nearest to 704
Distance is measured between the centers of the ZIP code places each area code serves, so it is a rough guide.
Overlay codes in the same area
ZIP codes in area code 704
132 ZIP codes fall in places that have a rate center in this area code.
| Place | ZIP codes |
|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 74 |
| Gastonia, NC | 5 |
| Salisbury, NC | 4 |
A ZIP code and an area code are unrelated systems. A ZIP code can sit in more than one area code, and an area code spans many ZIP codes.
Complaints on file for 704 numbers
3,993 FCC complaints are on file for 3,167 numbers in 704, most often filed as "Unwanted Calls". These are unverified consumer reports.
| Year of latest complaint | Numbers |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 118 |
| 2024 | 118 |
| 2025 | 152 |
Other area codes in North Carolina
North Carolina is one state with 10 area codes in the NANPA table. 704 is one of them.
Next to 704 in the numbering table
These are the codes just before and after 704 when all are sorted by number. They are neighbours on the list, not necessarily on the map.
What the area code does and does not tell you
A number that starts with 704 was first assigned in North Carolina. That is a fact about where the number began, and it is a useful hint when you check a form entry, for example a billing address in North Carolina next to a 704 phone number.
It does not show where the person is today. A number stays with its owner after a move or a change of provider (number portability), and mobile numbers travel with the handset. The area code also cannot tell you whether the line is active, who the carrier is, or whether the number is mobile or fixed: the plan shares those ranges. Read more about the area code, the numbering plan and line type.
Check numbers in bulk with the API
| Product | Credits | Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Numbering-Plan Validation | 1 credit per valid number | API docs |
| Phone Intelligence (carrier and line status) | 1 credit per check (invalid numbers outside the US and Canada are free) | Product page |
Questions about area code 704
Where is area code 704?
NANPA assigns area code 704 to North Carolina, United States.
In which state does area code 704 sit?
North Carolina. 704 is one of 10 area codes the NANPA table assigns to the state.
Which places does area code 704 cover?
The places with the most ZIP codes among the rate centers in 704 are Charlotte, NC, Gastonia, NC and Salisbury, NC. The rate center list on this page shows all of them.
Who owns area code 704?
NANPA assigns area codes. Within 704, Southern Bell Tel & Tel holds the most prefixes, 243 prefixes or 31%.
Which time zone does 704 use?
The NANPA NPA report lists the time zone for 704 as Eastern (E).
What year did 704 enter service?
The NANPA NPA report gives an in-service date of 1947-01-01, so 704 has been in use since 1947.
Does area code 704 have an overlay?
Yes. 980 (in service 2001-04-01) shares the same area with 704, so numbers from all of them are local to each other.
Which area codes are nearest to 704?
The area codes closest to 704, measured between the centers of the ZIP code places they serve, are 336 (about 72 miles), 743 (about 74 miles), 828 (about 89 miles), 803 (about 91 miles) and 839 (about 91 miles).
How many prefixes does area code 704 have?
NANPA's report dated 2026-10-17 lists 782 prefixes in service in 704, spread over 57 rate centers and 26 holders.
Are there complaints about 704 numbers?
The FCC data on file has 3,993 complaints for 3,167 numbers in 704. They are unverified consumer reports. A number with no complaints on file is not proven safe.
Area code assignments: North American Numbering Plan Administrator NPA report, file dated 10/17/2026, retrieved 2026-10-17. Source file. New codes are assigned several times a year. Prefixes, rate centers, holders, time zone, in-service date and overlays: NANPA central office code report dated 2026-10-17 and NPA report dated 2026-10-18. Complaints: FCC consumer complaints open data, fetched 2026-10-17. ZIP code places: Postal code places and coordinates: GeoNames (geonames.org), licensed CC BY 4.0.