What is the country code for Canada?

The country code for Canada is +1.

How are Canadian phone numbers structured?

Canadian phone numbers consist of a 3-digit area code followed by a 7-digit subscriber number, making a total of 10 digits. The format is typically NXX-NXX-XXXX, where N is any digit from 2 to 9, and X is any digit from 0 to 9.

What are the dialing procedures for international calls to Canada?

To make an international call to Canada, you need to dial the international prefix (e.g., 011 from the US), followed by the country code for Canada (+1), and then the 10-digit phone number (area code + subscriber number). For example, to call a number in Toronto, you would dial 011-1-416-555-1234.

Is number portability available in Canada?

Yes, number portability is fully implemented in Canada. Both mobile and fixed-line numbers can be ported between carriers, allowing users to retain their phone numbers when switching service providers.

What are some recent changes to the Canadian numbering plan?

Recent changes include the introduction of overlay area codes to address exhaustion. For example, the 559 area code will be overlaid with 357 in Q1 2025, and the 738 area code will overlay 213/323 starting in August 2024.

What is the country code for Canada?

The country code for Canada is +1.

How many digits are in a Canadian phone number?

A Canadian phone number has 10 digits, excluding the country code.

What is the regulatory authority for telecommunications in Canada?

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is the regulatory authority.

What is the format for Canadian geographic phone numbers?

The format for Canadian geographic phone numbers is NXX-NXX-XXXX, where N is any digit from 2-9, and X is any digit from 0-9.

Can Canadian phone numbers be ported between carriers?

Yes, number portability is available in Canada, allowing both mobile and fixed-line numbers to be ported between carriers.

What is the international dialing prefix for calls made from Canada?

The international dialing prefix for calls made from Canada is 011.

What is the national dialing prefix for calls within Canada?

The national dialing prefix for calls within Canada is 1.

What is the emergency number in Canada?

The emergency number in Canada is 911.

What are Canadian toll-free number prefixes?

Canadian toll-free numbers start with prefixes such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833, and 822.

How are Canadian mobile phone numbers formatted?

Canadian mobile phone numbers are formatted the same as landline numbers: NXX-NXX-XXXX.

What is a premium rate number in Canada?

A premium rate number in Canada begins with 900 and incurs additional charges.

Which area codes will have overlays in the near future in Canada?

The 559 area code will be overlaid with 357 in Q1 2025, and the 213/323 area codes will be overlaid with 738 starting August 2024.

What is the role of the Canadian Numbering Administration Consortium (CNAC)?

The CNAC manages numbering resources in Canada under the oversight of the CRTC.

What is the format for validating a Canadian phone number with the country code?

The format for validating a Canadian phone number with the country code is: ^\+1[2-9]\d{2}[2-9]\d{2}\d{4}$.

Which major telecom operators are present in Canada?

Major telecom operators in Canada include Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, Telus, Freedom Mobile, and Videotron.

What is the ITU-T standard relevant to Canadian phone numbers?

The relevant ITU-T standard is E.164, which defines the international public telecommunication numbering plan.

How can users block specific numbers in Canada?

Users can block specific numbers via their telecom provider.

What should developers consider when working with Canadian phone numbers?

Developers should consider validation, portability, time zones, and area code exhaustion when working with Canadian phone numbers.

What is the regular expression for validating Canadian toll-free numbers?

The regular expression for validating Canadian toll-free numbers is: ^\+1(800|888|877|866|855|844|833|822)[2-9]\d{2}\d{4}$.

Canada Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Quick Reference

Country: Canada
Country Code: +1
International Prefix: 011
National Prefix: 1
Regulatory Authority: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

Overview

Discover the intricacies of Canada's telephone numbering system, including number structures, dialing procedures, and regulatory updates. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators working with Canadian phone numbers.

Canadian Numbering Plan

Structure of Canadian Phone Numbers

Country Code: +1
Area Codes: 3-digit codes, with over 40 active area codes.
Subscriber Number: 7-digit local number.
Total Length: 10 digits (excluding the country code).

Number Formats

Type	Format	Example	Description
Geographic	`NXX-NXX-XXXX`	416-555-1234	Standard format where N is any digit from 2-9, and X is any digit from 0-9.
Mobile	`NXX-NXX-XXXX`	647-555-1234	Mobile numbers follow the same format as landline numbers.
Toll-Free	`800/888/877/866-NXX-XXXX`	800-555-1234	Toll-free numbers start with 800, 888, 877, 866, etc.
Premium Rate	`900-NXX-XXXX`	900-555-1234	Premium-rate numbers begin with 900 and incur additional charges.
Emergency	`911`	911	The emergency number in Canada.
Special Services	`310-XXXX`	310-1234	Used for non-geographic services, typically provided by specific operators.

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

General Format:
```
^\+1[2-9]\d{2}[2-9]\d{2}\d{4}$
```
Validates a Canadian phone number with the country code, area code, and subscriber number.

Toll-Free Numbers:

^\+1(800|888|877|866|855|844|833|822)[2-9]\d{2}\d{4}$

Validates Canadian toll-free numbers.

Premium Rate Numbers:
```
^\+1900[2-9]\d{2}\d{4}$
```
Validates Canadian premium-rate numbers.

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

Landline to Landline: Dial 1, followed by the 10-digit phone number.
- Example: 1-416-555-1234
Landline to Mobile: Same as landline to landline.
- Example: 1-647-555-1234
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 10-digit phone number directly.
- Example: 416-555-1234

International Calls

Outgoing: Dial 011, followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number.
- Example: 011-44-20-7123-4567 (for a call to the UK)
Incoming: Dial +1, followed by the 10-digit phone number.
- Example: +1-416-555-1234

Recent and Upcoming Changes to the Numbering Plan

Overlay Area Codes:
- 559/357 Overlay: Effective Q1 2025, the 559 area code will be overlaid with 357.
- 213/323 Overlay: The 738 area code will overlay 213/323 starting August 2024.

Number Portability in Canada

Number portability is fully implemented, allowing both mobile and fixed-line numbers to be ported between carriers. This service has been available since 2007.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Area Codes	Description
Bell Canada	Various across Ontario and Quebec	One of the largest telecom operators in Canada.
Rogers Communications	Various, including 416, 647	Major operator providing mobile and fixed-line services.
Telus	Various, including 250, 604, 780	Leading operator in Western Canada.
Freedom Mobile	647, 437, 778	Focuses on mobile services in urban areas.
Videotron	438, 514	Operates primarily in Quebec.

ITU-T Standards Relevant to Canada

The Canadian numbering plan adheres to the [ITU-T E.164 standard](https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-E.164/en), defining the international public telecommunication numbering plan.

Number Allocation and Management

The Canadian Numbering Administration Consortium (CNAC) manages numbering resources under the oversight of the CRTC. The North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) also plays a role in management across North America.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

Golden Numbers: Certain memorable numbers may be in higher demand.
Number Blocking: Users can block specific numbers via their telecom provider.

Technical Considerations for Developers

When working with Canadian phone numbers, consider:

Validation: Use regular expressions to validate numbers.
Portability: Implement logic to handle number portability.
Time Zones: Canada spans multiple time zones, important for scheduling automated calls.
Area Code Exhaustion: Monitor updates from CNAC and NANPA regarding new overlays.

For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations and numbering plans in Canada, visit the CRTC website.

Phone Validator