Area code 306 vs 474
306 and 474 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Saskatchewan, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 306 is the original, in service since 1947. 474 was added in 2021 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 306 has 777 of 800 blocks assigned (97.1%) and 474 has 98 of 800 (12.2%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 474. 306 appears in the complaint data with 361 complaints in the window; 474 does not appear at all, which is what you would expect of a code that is barely used so far. 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
| 306 | 474 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 1947 | 2021 |
| Region | Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan |
| Blocks assigned | 777 of 800 (97.1%) | 98 of 800 (12.2%) |
| Largest block holder | Other CLEC / VoIP 3% | Other CLEC / VoIP 19.4% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | 361 (#271) | not in the data |
| Rate centers | 229 | 71 |
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 306 and 474?
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 306 and 474?
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 306 or 474?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 474, at 12.2% allocated against 97.1% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 306 or 474 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: 306 · 474. All codes in Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan area codes.