Area code 468 vs 873
468 and 873 are overlay codes: they cover the same ground in Quebec, and a number in one is a local call to the other. 873 is the original, in service since 2012. 468 was added in 2022 because the first was filling up – that is what an overlay is for. Today 468 has 71 of 800 blocks assigned (8.9%) and 873 has 673 of 800 (84.1%), so a new number in the area now almost always comes from 468. 873 appears in the complaint data with 183 complaints in the window; 468 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
| 468 | 873 | |
|---|---|---|
| In service since | 2022 | 2012 |
| Region | Quebec | Quebec |
| Blocks assigned | 71 of 800 (8.9%) | 673 of 800 (84.1%) |
| Largest block holder | Other CLEC / VoIP 52.1% | Other CLEC / VoIP 18.7% |
| Complaints, 28 Sep – 30 Oct 2026 | not in the data | 183 (#353) |
| Rate centers | 60 | 162 |
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 468 and 873?
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 468 and 873?
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 468 or 873?
Whichever has blocks left – currently 468, at 8.9% allocated against 84.1% for the other. Carriers draw from the code with free blocks, which is why the newer code spreads over time.
Is 468 or 873 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: 468 · 873. All codes in Quebec: Quebec area codes.