Area code 418 vs 581
418 and 581 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Quebec, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 418 is the original, in service since 1947. 581 was added in 2008 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 418 has 777 of 800 blocks assigned (97.1%) and 581 has 778 of 800 (97.2%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 418. In the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 418 drew 341 FTC complaints against 308 for 581 – 284th and 295th of 422 ranked codes. Older codes are spoofed more because they look more established. 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
| 418 | 581 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 1947 | 2008 |
| Region | Quebec | Quebec |
| Blocks assigned | 777 of 800 (97.1%) | 778 of 800 (97.2%) |
| Largest block holder | – | Other CLEC / VoIP 20.7% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | 341 (#284) | 308 (#295) |
| Rate centers | 259 | 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 418 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 418 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 418 or 581?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 418, at 97.1% 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 418 or 581 more likely to be a spam call?
On the complaint data, 418 appears more often. But spoofing drives those counts, so this is about which code gets imitated, not which numbers are real.
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: 418 · 581. All codes in Quebec: Quebec area codes.