What is 418 Area Code?

The 418 area code is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) that was introduced in 1947 as one of the original 86 area codes. It serves the eastern half of the Canadian province of Quebec. Due to increasing demand for numbers, it has been overlaid by area codes 581 (in 2008) and 367 (in 2018), which means all three area codes serve the same geographic region.

  • Province: Quebec
  • Major Cities: Quebec City, Saguenay, Rimouski
  • Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)/Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
  • Established: 1947 (as one of the original 86 area codes)
  • Overlay Area Codes: 581 and 367
  • Region Population: The Quebec City metropolitan area alone has over 800,000 people.

Regions Covered by 418 Area Code 

The 418 area code, along with its overlays 581 and 367, serves a vast region in eastern Quebec. The area includes not only the provincial capital, Quebec City, but also the beautiful Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Gaspé Peninsula regions:

  • Quebec City
  • Saguenay
  • Rimouski
  • Alma
  • Baie-Comeau
  • Baie-Saint-Paul
  • Chibougamau
  • Dolbeau-Mistassini
  • Gaspé
  • La Malbaie
  • Matane
  • Montmagny
  • Percé
  • Rivière-du-Loup
  • Saint-Georges
  • Sept-Îles
  • Thetford Mines

Population & Demographics of 418 Area Code 

The region covered by the 418 area code has a significant population, with the Quebec City Census Metropolitan Area alone home to over 839,000 residents. The economy is diverse, with key sectors including government administration, tourism, technology, and higher education. 

The region also relies on industries like hydroelectric energy, forestry, and shipping along the St. Lawrence River. A notable characteristic of this area is its strong French-speaking majority, which is central to its cultural identity.

418 Area Code Time Zone 

The 418 area code operates in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which is UTC -5 during standard time and UTC -4 during daylight saving time. This is the same time zone as major North American cities like New York and Toronto.