To dial a Canadian phone number, use +1 then the 10-digit number; from the U.S., dial 1 plus area code and local number.
Calling someone in Canada is straightforward once you know the pattern. Canada uses the North American Numbering Plan, so phone numbers follow a simple 3-3-4 layout: area code, central office, and line number. This guide shows the formats, the exact buttons to press from different places, and the small gotchas that trip callers up—like toll-free reach, exit codes, and when to add a leading “1”.
Dialing Basics And Formats That Always Work
Every Canadian number fits a single shape: country code “1” plus a ten-digit local number. On mobiles and modern desk phones, saving contacts in international form keeps things clean across borders. That format is +1NPANXXXXXX (the plus tells your device to use the right international prefix).
Quick Reference Table
Use this cheat sheet to match your situation to the right sequence. Save a copy or bookmark this page for next time.
| Calling Situation | What To Dial | Working Example |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Canada (same area) | 10 digits | 416-555-0123 |
| Inside Canada (different area) | 1 + 10 digits | 1-604-555-0199 |
| From U.S. or other NANP country | 1 + 10 digits | 1-778-555-0111 |
| From outside NANP (most countries) | International prefix + 1 + 10 digits | 00-1-514-555-0188 |
| From mobile contact list | +1 + 10 digits (save this way) | +1-289-555-0177 |
| Toll-free in Canada | 800/888/877/866/855/844/833 + 7 digits | 1-800-555-0100 |
Dialing Canadian Numbers From Different Countries
Within the U.S. and across other NANP locations, calls to Canada don’t need an exit code. Just start with the long-distance “1”, then the 3-digit area code and 7-digit number. From Europe, Asia, or anywhere else, begin with the local exit code (often “00”), then “1”, then the ten digits. When in doubt, use the plus sign method on a mobile: press and hold “0” to add “+”, then type 1 and the rest.
What The Digits Mean
Those first three digits are the area code (also called the NPA). The next three identify the exchange, and the final four reach the line. In international form there are no spaces required by the standard, yet phones accept hyphens for readability. For business cards or websites, both styles are common: +14165550123 or +1-416-555-0123.
Local Calling, Long Distance, And 10-Digit Rules
Across many provinces, local calls use ten digits. For calls to another area, add a leading “1”. In overlay regions—where multiple area codes serve the same cities—ten-digit dialing keeps callers from guessing which code to use. Networks will play a short message if you forget the code.
Saving Contacts The Right Way
Set Canadian entries as +1 followed by the ten digits. That single step cures most cross-border issues, makes messaging apps happy, and keeps caller ID consistent while traveling.
Special Numbers, Toll-Free Reach, And Short Codes
Toll-free prefixes (800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, 833) work across Canada and the U.S. from many networks, yet some lines block access from abroad. Short codes like 911 route to local emergency services. Carrier service codes such as 611 vary by provider and don’t always work from VoIP or outside the country.
Proof And Standards Behind The Format
Canada uses country code 1 and a fixed ten-digit national number. The plan follows the international E.164 model. You can see the official structure in the Canadian Numbering Administrator’s dial plan table and in the global standard from the telecom union.
Authoritative references:
See the E.164 numbering for Canada and a CRTC notice about ten-digit local dialing such as the Nova Scotia/PEI decision.
Area Codes You’ll See Most Often
Area codes map to provinces and metro regions. Here are common ones seen by travelers and callers. This is not the full list, just the set that covers the busiest routes.
| Province/Region | Example Cities | Area Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (South & GTA) | Toronto, Mississauga | 416, 647, 437, 289, 905 |
| British Columbia | Vancouver, Victoria | 604, 778, 236, 672 |
| Quebec (South) | Montréal, Laval | 514, 438, 263 |
| Quebec (East) | Québec City | 418, 581, 367 |
| Alberta | Calgary, Edmonton | 403, 587, 825, 780 |
| Manitoba | Winnipeg | 204, 431, 584 |
| Saskatchewan | Regina, Saskatoon | 306, 639, 474 |
| Nova Scotia & PEI | Halifax, Charlottetown | 902, 782 |
| New Brunswick | Moncton, Saint John | 506 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | St. John’s | 709 |
| Territories | Yellowknife, Whitehorse | 867 |
Step-By-Step Walkthroughs
From A U.S. Landline
- Dial 1.
- Enter the 3-digit area code.
- Finish with the 7-digit number.
That’s it—no international exit code is needed between NANP members.
From A Phone Outside NANP
- Dial your country’s exit code (often 00).
- Dial 1.
- Enter the 10-digit Canadian number.
Some carriers add per-minute charges to calls across continents. Apps with data calling can be lighter on the wallet.
From A Mobile While Traveling
- Press and hold 0 to add “+”.
- Type 1.
- Add the ten digits.
Saving contacts with “+1” means the phone does the exit-code work for you in each country.
Exit Codes That Callers Use Most
Exit codes vary by country. These are the common ones people ask about when ringing Canada:
- United Kingdom: 00, so UK callers dial
00-1-area-number. - European Union: 00 works across member states.
- Australia: 0011 for many providers.
- India: 00 on most lines.
- Japan: 010 on standard carriers.
- Mexico: 00 for international calls.
On mobiles, the plus sign cancels the guesswork, so +1 stays valid in each of these places.
VoIP, Wi-Fi Calling, And Messaging Apps
Internet-based calling follows the same numbering pattern. Many apps accept either +14165550123 or a spaced format. Wi-Fi calling on smartphones routes through your carrier, so keep the same rules: use 1 across NANP, and use +1 abroad. For texting, the +1 prefix helps deliver messages when roaming or when the sender and receiver sit in different regions.
PBX And Office Dial Plans
Some company phones require a trunk access code before the outside line. A common setup uses the digit 9. In that case the full sequence looks like 9-1-area-number from within North America or 9-00-1-area-number from elsewhere. Check the short guide on your handset or the label near the keypad.
Number Writing Style And Accessibility
For public pages, include the international form once for clarity and machine reading, then use a reader-friendly style. Many teams pair both: +1-343-555-0199 near the top and a local ten-digit form in contact sections. Add tel: links so mobile visitors can tap to call.
When Calls Fail: Fast Fixes
Work through this checklist to solve common issues without a long wait with a carrier agent:
- Add the area code: Seven digits won’t pass in most places due to overlays.
- Use the right prefix: Across North America, start with 1; abroad, use the exit code or a leading plus.
- Try a geographic line: Some 800-style numbers block international origin.
- Save contacts with +1: This fixes many SMS and caller-ID quirks.
- Test with a different line: VoIP firewalls or PBX rules can block outbound international traffic.
Real-World Scenarios You Can Copy
Calling Toronto From New York
Pick up a U.S. phone and dial 1-416-555-0123. That first 1 marks long distance within NANP. No exit code sits between the digits.
Calling Vancouver From London
From the UK, dial 00-1-604-555-0199. The “00” leaves the UK, the “1” reaches Canada, and the rest completes the number. On a mobile, +1-604-555-0199 reaches the same line.
Calling Montréal While Roaming In Mexico
Use the plus form to skip local prefixes: +1-514-555-0188. Your phone translates the plus into Mexico’s exit code in the background.
Charges, Quality, And Smarter Options
Long-distance rates vary by carrier and plan. Wi-Fi calling often prices the same as your plan’s domestic rate, while app-to-app calling rides on data or Wi-Fi. If voice quality drops, move closer to a strong signal or switch to a wired headset. For long calls to businesses, ask for a geographic line rather than a toll-free line; that path tends to work from abroad and from VoIP lines with fewer blocks.
Overlays And Why Area Codes Repeat In One City
Many cities share multiple area codes. That setup, called an overlay, expands capacity without redrawing boundaries. Toronto uses 416 along with 647 and 437. Vancouver pairs 604 with 778 and 236, with 672 in newer assignments. Overlays are why many regions ask for ten digits for every call, even across town. If you move within the same metro, you can keep your line and area code, and neighbors may still reach you with ten digits just fine.
Writing Numbers That Work Everywhere
Add a line on forms that asks for numbers in international format, then validate on the server. When you publish a contact page, include a tap-to-call link like <a href="tel:+16045550199">+1-604-555-0199</a>. That tiny attribute boosts mobile usability and reduces misdials. If your team prints flyers or receipts, pick one clear style and stick with it across channels.
Why This Advice Matches Official Rules
Canada participates in the North American Numbering Plan with the U.S. and several Caribbean regions, and it uses country code 1. The Canadian Numbering Administrator publishes the format details, and the telecom regulator has mandated ten-digit local dialing in many places. The global E.164 standard describes the +country code model used on mobiles and in online forms. If you follow the sequences on this page, you’re matching those sources exactly.
FAQ-Free Takeaway You Can Save
Keep one template on hand: +1 then the ten digits. From the U.S. or another NANP location, start with 1 then the same ten digits. Add the area code every time, even across town, and store contacts with a leading plus. With those three habits, calls to Canada just work.