Area code 273 vs 581
273 and 581 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Quebec, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 581 has been in service since 2008; 273 is assigned but not yet live, due 2027-02-27. Today 273 has 0 of 786 blocks assigned (0.0%) and 581 has 778 of 800 (97.2%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 273. 581 appears in the complaint data with 308 complaints in the window; 273 does not appear at all, which is what you would expect of a code that is not yet in service. Neither code is better or safer than the other. They are the same geography, the same carriers and the same dialing rules; the difference is only how long each has existed and how full it is.
Side by side
| 273 | 581 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | planned, 2027-02-27 | 2008 |
| Region | Quebec | Quebec |
| Blocks assigned | 0 of 786 (0%) | 778 of 800 (97.2%) |
| Largest block holder | Other CLEC / VoIP 100% | Other CLEC / VoIP 20.7% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | not in the data | 308 (#295) |
| Rate centers | 1 | 232 |
Block share is allocation by the numbering administrator, not subscribers. Complaint counts cover 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 and measure how often each code is spoofed on caller ID.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between area codes 273 and 581?
None geographically – they overlay the same area, so the difference is age and how many numbers are left.
Do I need to dial the area code between 273 and 581?
Yes. Overlay areas use ten-digit dialing for local calls, including between the two codes. Seven digits reaches a recording.
Will a new number be 273 or 581?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 273, at 0% allocated against 97.2% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 273 or 581 more likely to be a spam call?
The data does not support a comparison: only one of the two appears in the complaint window.
Sources
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Canadian Numbering Administrator – CO Code Status, data date 2026-10-31, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Each code on its own: 273 · 581. All codes in Quebec: Quebec area codes.