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Area Codes

Browse all Canadian area codes. Click on an area code to see detailed information.

Canadian area codes, also known as Number Plan Areas (NPAs), are a fundamental component of the North American telephone system. Introduced in 1947 as part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), these three-digit codes identify specific geographic regions across Canada. Initially, Canada had only nine area codes, but with population growth and the explosion in demand for telecommunication services, this number has significantly increased.

Each Canadian province and territory has at least one unique area code. Ontario and Quebec, being the most populous provinces, have several. These codes are administered by the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA), which works in coordination with the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) to efficiently manage numbering resources.

Area code exhaustion has become a growing issue with the proliferation of mobile phones, fax machines, and internet lines. To address this, new codes are regularly introduced through a process called "overlay" or "split." Our comprehensive database allows you to explore all Canadian area codes, their coverage areas, and history.

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204 Area Code

Winnipeg, MB, Manitoba

236 Area Code

Vancouver, BC, British Columbia

249 Area Code

Sudbury, ON, Ontario

250 Area Code

Victoria, BC, British Columbia

289 Area Code

Hamilton, ON, Ontario

306 Area Code

Regina, SK, Saskatchewan

354 Area Code

Montreal, QC, Quebec

365 Area Code

Hamilton, ON, Ontario

367 Area Code

Quebec City, QC, Quebec

368 Area Code

Edmonton, AB, Alberta

403 Area Code

Calgary, AB, Alberta

416 Area Code

Toronto, ON, Ontario

418 Area Code

Quebec City, QC, Quebec

428 Area Code

Moncton, NB, New Brunswick

431 Area Code

Winnipeg, MB, Manitoba

437 Area Code

Toronto, ON, Ontario

438 Area Code

Montreal, QC, Quebec

450 Area Code

Montreal suburbs, QC, Quebec

468 Area Code

Edmonton, AB, Alberta

474 Area Code

Quebec City, QC, Quebec

506 Area Code

Fredericton, NB, New Brunswick

514 Area Code

Montreal, QC, Quebec

579 Area Code

Montreal suburbs, QC, Quebec

581 Area Code

Quebec City, QC, Quebec

584 Area Code

Winnipeg, MB, Manitoba

587 Area Code

Alberta (province-wide), AB, Alberta

604 Area Code

Vancouver, BC, British Columbia

639 Area Code

Regina, SK, Saskatchewan

647 Area Code

Toronto, ON, Ontario

672 Area Code

Vancouver, BC, British Columbia

683 Area Code

Toronto, ON, Ontario

705 Area Code

Sudbury, ON, Ontario

709 Area Code

St. John's, NL, Newfoundland and Labrador

742 Area Code

Toronto suburbs, ON, Ontario

778 Area Code

Vancouver, BC, British Columbia

780 Area Code

Edmonton, AB, Alberta

782 Area Code

Charlottetown, PE, Prince Edward Island

807 Area Code

Thunder Bay, ON, Ontario

819 Area Code

Gatineau, QC, Quebec

825 Area Code

Alberta (province-wide), AB, Alberta

867 Area Code

Whitehorse, YT / Yellowknife, NT / Iqaluit, NU, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut

873 Area Code

Gatineau, QC, Quebec

879 Area Code

St. John's, NL, Newfoundland and Labrador

902 Area Code

Charlottetown, PE, Prince Edward Island

905 Area Code

Hamilton, ON, Ontario

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Understanding Canadian Area Codes

Canadian area codes follow the NXX format, where N is a digit from 2 to 9, and X can be any digit from 0 to 9. This structure is part of the North American 10-digit numbering format (NXX-NXX-XXXX), where the first three digits represent the area code, the next three the central office code (or exchange), and the last four the subscriber number.

The history of area codes in Canada dates back to 1947, when AT&T and Bell implemented the North American Numbering Plan. The first codes assigned to Canada were 204 (Manitoba), 306 (Saskatchewan), 403 (Alberta), 416 (Southern Ontario), 418 (Eastern Quebec), 514 (Western Quebec), 604 (British Columbia), 613 (Eastern Ontario), and 902 (Maritime provinces). These initial assignments reflected the population distribution at that time.

Over the decades, the growing demand for telephone services necessitated the introduction of new codes. Major events such as the introduction of mandatory 10-digit dialing and the elimination of the need to dial "1" for long-distance calls in certain regions have marked the evolution of the Canadian telephone system.

Importance of Area Codes in the Digital Age

Even in the era of digital communications and messaging apps, area codes retain their importance. They serve as geographical and cultural identifiers, often associated with regional identity. For example, 416 is strongly associated with Toronto, while 514 is emblematic of Montreal.

Area codes also have practical value for businesses and organizations. They enable efficient call routing, appropriate pricing of telephone services, and facilitate the management of limited numbering resources. For consumers, knowing area codes helps identify the source of incoming calls and can help avoid unexpected long-distance charges.

Our comprehensive database of Canadian area codes is constantly updated to reflect changes and new assignments. We provide detailed information about each code, including its coverage area, major cities served, and its history. Whether you're a telecommunications professional, a researcher, or simply curious about Canadian area codes, our site is your definitive resource.