Area code 257 – British Columbia
257 has served British Columbia since 2025, split from 604. It is still largely empty: 21 of 800 number blocks allocated. No carrier dominates: Other CLEC / VoIP 33.3%. It shares its geography with overlay codes 236, 250, 604, 672, 778, so local calls take all ten digits. Most of its numbers are in Vancouver, Richmond, Langley.
- Province
- British Columbia
- In service since
- 2025
- Time zone
- Pacific
Who holds 257 number blocks
Share of the 21 assigned NXX blocks (2.6% of the 786 possible), across 1 carriers. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers.
- Other CLEC / VoIP33.3%
Rate centers in 257
NANPA allocates number blocks to rate centers and records their names abbreviated to ten characters, so these are NANPA's codes rather than place names – CHAMPAURBN is Champaign-Urbana, NWYRCYZN01 is a New York City zone. We show them unchanged instead of guessing at the full names. Showing the largest 5 of 16.
Timeline
- 2025 257 goes into service, split from or overlaid on 604.
More about 257
Separate pages for the questions that need their own answer: what time it is there, what the complaint data says, who holds the number blocks, and how the code compares with the one it shares its area with.
Frequently asked about 257
Where is area code 257?
British Columbia. It covers the same area as 236/250/257/604/672/778.
Which carrier owns 257 numbers?
Other CLEC / VoIP holds the largest share of assigned number blocks at 33.3%. This is share of number blocks, not of subscribers – people keep their numbers when they switch carriers.
Do I need to dial 10 digits in 257?
Yes – ten digits for local calls in 257, because it shares its area with another code.
Sources and verification
- NANPA – NPA Database (npa_report.csv), file date 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- NANPA – CO Code Assignment Records, All States (utilized), file updated 11/01/2026, retrieved Nov 1, 2026
NANPA dialing note for this code: “10D”. Reviewed by the data desk. Spotted an error? Request a correction.