The result extends Newcastle's unbeaten run to seven matches, six of them since Graeme Souness took over, and maintains Charlton's good home form. The Addicks are unbeaten at home this season and have only conceded two goals in five matches.
The Magpies took a first-half lead and looked likely to go on to win the game but Alan Curbishley's side battled and scrapped in the second half to get back in to the game and in a frantic final 15 minutes either side could have snatched all three points.
Curbishley, in his 650th match as boss, was able to call on a full-strength side for the first time this season with skipper Matt Holland returning from injury after being out since the opening game of the season and Shaun Bartlett also coming back after injury problems.
Newcastle were without the injured Patrick Kluivert and Craig Bellamy moved up to partner Alan Shearer in attack while Darren Ambrose made a rare appearance.
United started the game well, putting Charlton under early pressure with Shearer heading wide and Jermaine Jenas stabbing a shot just the wrong side of the post.
But the best early effort came from Charlton's Graham Stuart whose well-struck shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Shay Given.
Newcastle deservedly took the lead in the 39th minute with a well-worked goal. A great cross from Olivier Bernard was headed home by Bellamy at the near post. Shearer could have made it two before the break but prodded a good chance wide.
Charlton surprisingly equalised five minutes after the interval when Kevin Lisbie got behind the Newcastle defence from Bartlett's header. His shot appeared to be going in when the ball was deflected in by Andy O'Brien as he tried to clear.
In an exciting finale Shearer had a header blocked on the line and was then in the right place at the other end to deny Bartlett with a goal-line clearance of his own. Holland also hit the post for Charlton.
In the end Charlton were delighted to take a point from a quality Newcastle side that is proving to be very difficult to beat under Souness' leadership.
Before the match Charlton's veteran midfielder Stuart was presented with an award for making 500 career appearances.
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson made the presentation and the Swede was then presented with a Charlton centenary shirt himself. The team was allowed to wear the strip by the Premier League for the only time this season.