The 340 area code is a valid geographic telephone area code within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) that serves the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
Because the USVI is an unincorporated territory of the United States, calls between the mainland US and the 340 area code are typically billed as domestic calls (though carriers may vary). The 340 code covers the territory’s three main islands and requires 10-digit dialing from anywhere in the NANP.
This article details the exact location, major islands, time zone, and the simple dialing rules for the 340 area code.
Where is the 340 Area Code Located?
The 340 area code covers the entire U.S. Virgin Islands archipelago, which is situated in the Eastern Caribbean, east of Puerto Rico.
| Detail | Information |
| Area Code: | 340 |
| Jurisdiction: | U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) (U.S. Territory) |
| Country Code: | +1 (Part of the North American Numbering Plan) |
| Major Islands: | St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. |
| Capital City: | Charlotte Amalie (on St. Thomas) |
Time Zone for the U.S. Virgin Islands (340)
The USVI operates on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round and does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
- Time Offset: UTC/GMT -4 hours.
- Comparison to US Time Zones:
- 1 hour ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
- The same time as U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Dialing Rules for the 340 Area Code
The 340 area code was created in 1998 as a split from the 809 area code, integrating the islands into the North American 10-digit dialing system.
- Calling the USVI from the US or Canada
To call any number in the 340 area code from within the NANP, you must use the standard 1 + 10-digit format.
Example (Calling St. Thomas from New York):
- Local Dialing within the USVI
Calls placed between islands or locally within the USVI require only the 7-digit local number (XXX-XXXX). However, many users have adopted 10-digit dialing (340 + 7-digit number) for consistency.
Consumer Advice and Scams
Domestic vs. International Billing
While the dialing process is domestic (using the +1 country code), note the difference in billing:
- US Territories (340, 787, 671, 684, 670): Calls to the U.S. Virgin Islands are generally considered domestic calls by major US carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) and should be included in unlimited domestic plans.
- Other Caribbean NANP Codes (e.g., 876 – Jamaica, 473 – Grenada): Calls to these independent Caribbean nations that use the +1 code are often billed at high international rates by US carriers.
Scam Alert
The 340 area code is not prominently known for the high-cost international “One-Ring Scam” that plagues other Caribbean codes (like 809 or 473). However, you should still be cautious of any unexpected robocall, as scammers can spoof any number.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which islands are covered by the 340 area code?
The 340 area code covers the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.
What is the closest major area code to 340?
The 340 area code is geographically closest to the area codes of Puerto Rico (787/939) and the British Virgin Islands (284).
Is Daylight Saving Time observed in the 340 area code?
No. The U.S. Virgin Islands remains on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round.
Conclusion
The 340 area code is the official telephone code for the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is part of the +1 NANP system, making communication with the US mainland straightforward and typically billed at a domestic rate. To ensure your call connects, use the 1 + 340 + 7-digit number format, and check the Atlantic Time Zone difference before dialing.
