Area Code Atlas

Area code 514 introduced as original NANP code

Area code 514 was assigned in 1947 as one of the original North American Numbering Plan area codes, covering Montreal and the entire western half of Quebec, including remote northern areas.

Area code 819 assigned to central and western Quebec

Area code 819 was introduced in 1956 as a split from area code 514, covering central and western Quebec, including the Quebec portion of the National Capital Region and northern coastal areas. It was assigned to serve this region, providing a new numbering plan area for cities such as Gatineau, Sherbrooke, and Trois-Rivières.

Area code 819 assigned from 514

Area code 819 was introduced in 1956 as a split from area code 514, covering western Quebec and parts of the Northwest Territories. It marked the first major expansion of Quebec's numbering plan.

NPA 514 split to create 819 in Quebec

In 1957, area code 514 was split to create area code 819, covering most of western Quebec outside the Montreal area, from Estrie to the Ontario border. This split established 819's initial boundaries, reducing 514 primarily to serve the Montreal region.

Northwestern Quebec reassigned from 514 to 418

Northwestern Quebec, previously part of area code 514, was reassigned to area code 418 in 1957. This change expanded the coverage of 418 to include regions that previously lacked telephone service.

Area code 514 split to create 450

Area code 514 was split in 1997 to create area code 450, which serves the off-island suburbs of Montreal. This changed 819's border with 514 to a boundary with 450.

NANP-Split of 514 (Quebec) Numbering Plan Area (NPA)

Area code 514 split to create 450

In 1998, the off-island suburbs of Montreal received area code 450, leaving 514 for the Island of Montreal and nearby islands. The split served suburbs such as Laval and Montréal Métropolitain surrounding Montreal.

Area code 450 introduced in Quebec

Area code 450 was introduced in 1998 to address the exhaustion of area code 514 in Montreal's suburbs. It surrounds Montreal's primary area code and is part of a complex overlay with 579 and 354. The code serves the off-island suburbs of Montreal and the Montérégie region in Quebec, forming a 'doughnut' configuration.

NPA 438 overlay on 514 announced

NPA 438 To Overlay NPA 514 (Montral Urban Area)

NPA 438 overlay on 514 announced

NPA 438 To Overlay NPA 514 (Montréal Urban Area)

NPA 438 overlay on 514 announced

NPA 438 to Overlay NPA 514 (Montreal Urban Area)

Overlay of area code 438 on 514 region

In 2006, area code 438 was overlaid on the Montreal region served by 514, requiring ten-digit dialing for local calls. This overlay provided additional numbering resources for the area.

NPA 438 overlay on 514 announced

NPA 438 to Overlay NPA 514 (Montreal Urban Area)

Area code 438 overlaid on 514

On November 4, 2006, area code 438 was introduced as an overlay to area code 514, requiring ten-digit dialing for all calls in the Montreal area. This overlay was implemented to address number exhaustion in the region due to increased demand from new technologies.

NPA 263 reserved for Montreal overlay

Area code 263 was reserved in February 2017 as a third overlay for the Montreal region, in anticipation of future number exhaustion.

NPA 263 overlay on 438/514 announced

NPA 263 to Overlay NPA 438/514 (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

NPA 263 added to 514/438 overlay complex

Area code 263 was added as a third overlay for the Montreal region in October 2022, further expanding the numbering resources available for the 514/438 complex.

NPA 263 overlay activated on 514/438

Area code 263 was placed in service as a third overlay on the Montreal region on October 22, 2022, expanding the numbering capacity to approximately 23.4 million numbers for about two million people, joining area codes 514 and 438.

NPA 263 placed in service as overlay

Area code 263 was placed in service in October 2022 as an additional overlay for the Montreal region, joining 514 and 438 to provide additional numbering resources.