What is the capital of Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia (NS) is a Canadian province in the Atlantic region. With a 2023 Statistics Canada population estimate of 1,067,959 residents, Nova Scotia is served by 2 active area codes: 782, 902. The provincial capital is Halifax and the largest city is Halifax.

Canadian area code assignments are managed by the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) under the broader North American Numbering Plan (NANP). As Nova Scotia'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.

Nova Scotia observes the Atlantic 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 Nova Scotia 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 782 number is no longer a guarantee the caller is physically in Nova Scotia.

Phone number format in Nova Scotia

All Nova Scotia phone numbers follow the standard 10-digit NANP format: (NPA) NXX-XXXX. For local calls within Nova Scotia, 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 Nova Scotia area codes

How many area codes does Nova Scotia have?

Nova Scotia currently has 2 active area codes: 782, 902.

What time zone is Nova Scotia in?

Nova Scotia observes the Atlantic time zone.

What is Nova Scotia's capital?

The capital of Nova Scotia is Halifax. The largest city is Halifax.