British Columbia Area Codes
Complete directory of all 6 active area codes serving British Columbia, Canada. Population: 5,649,205 (2023 Statistics Canada estimate).
About Area Codes in British Columbia
British Columbia (BC) is a Canadian province in the West Coast region. With a 2023 Statistics Canada population estimate of 5,649,205 residents, British Columbia is served by 6 active area codes: 236, 250, 257, 604, 672, 778. The provincial capital is Victoria and the largest city is Vancouver.
Canadian area code assignments are managed by the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) under the broader North American Numbering Plan (NANP). As British Columbia's population and demand for phone numbers grew — driven by cell phones, VoIP lines, and pagers — regulators either split existing area codes or added overlay codes that share territory with the original.
British Columbia observes the Pacific time zone. Most of Canada observes Daylight Saving Time from the second Sunday in March through the first Sunday in November, except parts of Saskatchewan which stays on Central Standard Time year-round.
When you receive a call from a British Columbia number, the area code tells you only where the number was originally assigned. Because of Local Number Portability (LNP), Canadian callers can keep their phone numbers when moving across provincial lines — so a 236 number is no longer a guarantee the caller is physically in British Columbia.
Phone number format in British Columbia
All British Columbia phone numbers follow the standard 10-digit NANP format: (NPA) NXX-XXXX. For local calls within British Columbia, 10-digit dialing is mandatory because of overlay codes. For long-distance calls within Canada or to the US, dial 1 + area code + 7-digit number. From outside North America, dial your international access prefix, then 1 (the NANP country code), then the 10-digit number.
Frequently asked questions about British Columbia area codes
How many area codes does British Columbia have?
British Columbia currently has 6 active area codes: 236, 250, 257, 604, 672, 778.
What time zone is British Columbia in?
British Columbia observes the Pacific time zone.
What is British Columbia's capital?
The capital of British Columbia is Victoria. The largest city is Vancouver.