What is the capital of Quebec?

Quebec (QC) is a Canadian province in the Central Canada region. With a 2023 Statistics Canada population estimate of 9,029,933 residents, Quebec is served by 12 active area codes: 263, 354, 367, 418, 438, 450, 468, 514, 579, 581, 819, 873. The provincial capital is Quebec City and the largest city is Montreal.

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

Quebec observes the Eastern 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 Quebec 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 263 number is no longer a guarantee the caller is physically in Quebec.

Phone number format in Quebec

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

How many area codes does Quebec have?

Quebec currently has 12 active area codes: 263, 354, 367, 418, 438, 450, 468, 514, 579, 581, 819, 873.

What time zone is Quebec in?

Quebec observes the Eastern time zone.

What is Quebec's capital?

The capital of Quebec is Quebec City. The largest city is Montreal.