Area code 249 vs 683
249 and 683 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Ontario, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 249 is the original, in service since 2011. 683 was added in 2022 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 249 has 587 of 800 blocks assigned (73.4%) and 683 has 81 of 800 (10.1%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 683. 249 appears in the complaint data with 160 complaints in the window; 683 does not appear at all, which is what you would expect of a code that is barely used so far. Neither code is better or safer than the other. They are the same geography, the same carriers and the same dialing rules; the difference is only how long each has existed and how full it is.
Side by side
| 249 | 683 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 2011 | 2022 |
| Region | Ontario | Ontario |
| Blocks assigned | 587 of 800 (73.4%) | 81 of 800 (10.1%) |
| Largest block holder | – | Other CLEC / VoIP 54.3% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | 160 (#355) | not in the data |
| Rate centers | 176 | 58 |
Block share is allocation by the numbering administrator, not subscribers. Complaint counts cover 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 and measure how often each code is spoofed on caller ID.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between area codes 249 and 683?
None geographically – they overlay the same area, so the difference is age and how many numbers are left.
Do I need to dial the area code between 249 and 683?
Yes. Overlay areas use ten-digit dialing for local calls, including between the two codes. Seven digits reaches a recording.
Will a new number be 249 or 683?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 683, at 10.1% allocated against 73.4% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 249 or 683 more likely to be a spam call?
The data does not support a comparison: only one of the two appears in the complaint window.
Sources
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Canadian Numbering Administrator – CO Code Status, data date 2026-10-31, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- FTC – Do Not Call Reported Calls Data, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Each code on its own: 249 · 683. All codes in Ontario: Ontario area codes.