Area code 581 – Quebec
581 has served Quebec since 2008, split from 418. 778 of its 800 number blocks are allocated – about 97% full. No carrier dominates: Other CLEC / VoIP 20.7%. It shares its geography with overlay codes 367, 418, so local calls take all ten digits. Spam complaints are comparatively rare: 308 in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 295th of the 422 codes with five or more complaints. Most of its numbers are in Quebec, Chicoutimi, Alma.
- Province
- Quebec
- In service since
- 2008
- Time zone
- Eastern
Who holds 581 number blocks
Share of the 778 assigned NXX blocks (97.2% of the 786 possible), across 1 carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers.
- Other CLEC / VoIP20.7%
Spam complaints naming 581
FTC Do Not Call complaints where the caller ID was a 581 number, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 (33 days). Caller IDs on spam calls are frequently spoofed, so these are complaints about the code, not calls proven to originate in it.
Rate centers in 581
NANPA allocates number blocks to rate centers and records their names abbreviated to ten characters, so these are NANPA's codes rather than place names – CHAMPAURBN is Champaign-Urbana, NWYRCYZN01 is a New York City zone. We show them unchanged instead of guessing at the full names. Showing the largest 5 of 232.
Timeline
- 2008 581 goes into service, split from or overlaid on 418.
More about 581
Separate pages for the questions that need their own answer: what time it is there, what the complaint data says, who holds the number blocks, and how the code compares with the one it shares its area with.
Frequently asked about 581
Where is area code 581?
Quebec. It covers the same area as 367/418/581.
Can I still get a 581 number?
Only from recycled stock. 778 of the 800 available blocks are already allocated, so new numbers in the area normally come from the overlay codes (367/418/581).
Is a call from 581 a scam?
Not by itself. 581 drew 308 FTC complaints in the 33 days to 30 October 2026, 295th of 422 ranked codes – mid-pack or lower. Spam callers spoof caller IDs, so the only useful check is the full number.
Which carrier owns 581 numbers?
Other CLEC / VoIP holds the largest share of assigned number blocks at 20.7%. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers – people keep their numbers when they switch carriers.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in 581?
Yes – ten digits for local calls in 581, because it shares its area with another code.
Sources and verification
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- NANPA – CO Code Assignment Records, All States (utilized), file updated 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 25 daily files 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
NANPA dialing note for this code: “10D”. Reviewed by the data desk. Spotted an error? Request a correction.