We present CCD uvby{beta} photometry for stars in the central area of the young open cluster NGC 663. We find that the reddening is highly variable, with values ranging from E(b-y)=0.639+/-0.032 in the central part to E(b-y)=0.555+/-0.038 in the south-east. The distance modulus is found to be 11.6+/-0.1mag. (2.1kpc), and the age logt=7.25+/-0.1 years (25+7/-5Myr).