black - new area code is already in use
blue - mandatory 10D (or 1+10D) dialing is in effect in preparation for an overlay
green - new area code not yet in use
red - special notations
t.b.a. - to be announced • à communiquer • se anunciará

“10D/1+10D” refers to the date on which it becomes mandatory to dial all local calls with the area code. In some areas, you must dial only the area code and number, for a total of 10 digits. In other areas, you must dial 1 plus the area code and number on all calls. In yet other areas, you may optionally dial 10D or 1+10D on some or all local calls, or for calls within your own area code overlay whether the call is local or toll. If no date is listed in this column, the area already has mandatory 10D/1+10D local calls, or the listing is for a non-geographic code (such as toll-free numbers) in which there are no local calls, as such.

“Overlay” refers to the date on which the new code goes into effect; that is, the first date on which numbers in the new code may be assigned and used.

New area codes indicated with a question mark are speculation, based on available industry data. However, the information should not be considered reliable until it is officially confirmed by NANPA.

The Test Number is a special number (usually, though not always, not charged) that allows you to test whether all the links in the chain from you to a new area code are operating correctly. In order for you to reach a new area code, your premises equipment (office PBX, for example) must allow you to dial it. Then the telco central office must accept the new area code as valid and route it correctly. If the new area code is outside your LATA, your chosen long-distance carrier must also route the call correctly. Calling one of these numbers will usually reach a simple recording saying something like, “You have successfully completed a call to area code XXX.” Note that some test numbers are billable numbers, possibly at international rates. However, most test numbers in the U.S. and Canada will not bill. In cases where a test number is shown ending with –TEST, dial –8378; for –BILL, dial –2455. Where possible, a test number that is known to bill is marked with a “$” before or after the number.

Note that the test number for a new area code is usually disconnected within a few months after the mandatory date. If you dial one of the older test numbers shown here, you may reach an ordinary subscriber.

The Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador was scheduled to have an overlay of new area code 879 on existing area code 709, effective 2018-11-24, but evolving conditions led the CRTC to postpone the overlay. A new effective date of 2022-05-20 has been officially adopted, but there is now a proposal under consideration to postpone indefinitely.
fr: La province canadienne de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador devait mettre en œuvre un recouvrement de l’indicatif 709 avec le nouvel indicatif 879, à compter du 2018-11-24, mais en raison des conditions évolutives le CRTC a remis le recouvrement. La date d’entrée en vigueur de 2022-05-20 a été officiellement adoptée, mais on propose de remettre indéfiniment.

The Canadian province of New Brunswick was scheduled to have an overlay of new area code 428 on existing area code 506, effective 2020-11-21, but evolving conditions led the CRTC to postpone the overlay, first to 2022-04-23, and again to 2023-04-29.
fr: La province canadienne du Nouveau-Brunswick devait mettre en œuvre un recouvrement de l’indicatif 506 avec le nouvel indicatif 428, à compter du 2020-11-21, mais en raison des conditions évolutives le CRTC a remis le recouvrement. La date d’entrée en vigueur de 2022-04-23 a été remis encore jusqu’au 2023-04-29.

In southern California, two old area code splits have been erased in a maneuver known as a “boundary elimination overlay”. In downtown Los Angeles, the boundary between 213 and 323 has been eliminated; in San Diego, the boundary between 619 and 858 was eliminated. In each case, the two existing area codes became an overlay, with numbers from either code assignable anywhere in the combined geographic territory.

Area code 870, which covers most of the land area of the state of Arkansas, was scheduled to have an overlay on 2013-05-18, but number conservation measures extended its life by several years, so the overlay has been postponed indefinitely. Look for it some time around 2023.

The state of Illinois has not yet established effective dates for the 217/447 (2021-03-27), 708/464 (2024?), and 618/730 (2029?) overlays, which will be implemented as the existing codes run low on available numbers. However, those projected implementation dates have been pushed later several times, from “any minute now” to “five to ten years from now.” The plan does indicate that there will be a 13‑month transition period in each area for permissive and then mandatory 10‑digit dialing, test numbers, and finally assignment and activation of numbers in the new area code. (Update: the dates have been set for the 217 overlay, as shown above.)

There have been no area code splits — only overlays — since 2007-10-07, and no splits are planned. Canada has not had an area code split since 1999-01-25; Canada had its first overlay on 2001-03-25 and hasn’t looked back.

In fact, Canada is already planning overlays in every province, not including the territories of northern Canada, between now and 2024, although the overlay for Newfoundland and Labrador is likely to be postponed indefinitely. At that point, the only parts of Canada Without overlays will be area code 867 (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) and area code 807 (northwestern Ontario, including Thunder Bay). On the chopping block also are local interprovincial 7‑digit dialing arrangements for Labrador City and Wabush, NL, and for Campbellton, NB, into the 418 & 581 & 367 area of eastern Québec. Those 7‑digit dialing arrangements will be terminated when Newfoundland & Labrador and New Brunswick implement mandatory 10‑digit local calls in preparation for their own overlays.
fr: En fait, le Canada prévoit déjà recouvrir tous les indicatifs (sauf 867 et 807) avant 2024, mais on propose de remettre indéfiniment la superposition de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (709). À partir de cette date, les seules régions du Canada sans recouvrements seront l‘indicatif 867 — le Yukon, les T.N.O., et le Nunavut — et l‘indicatif 807 — le nord-ouest de l‘Ontario, y compris Thunder Bay. On va éliminer aussi les arrangements interprovinciaux de composition locale à 7 chiffres pour Labrador City et pour Wabush, et pour Campbellton, Nouveau-Brunswick, vers l‘est du Québec. Ces arrangements seront remis lorsque Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador et le Nouveau-Brunswick mettront en œuvre la composition locale obligatoire à 10 chiffres pour se préparer à leurs propres recouvrements.

Editorial commentary and explanatory notes about area code splits have now been moved off onto a separate page.

Don’t see a split listed here that used to be? Splits and overlays that have been cancelled or indefinitely postponed may no longer be shown.

Time Zone information is now available on the “Locator” page, which lists all active and upcoming area codes in numeric order with major cities.

There is an excellent listing of state/provincial regulatory agencies [link updated 2017-05-24] provided by the state of New York.

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