The user searching for “581 area code” is looking to identify the geographic location and essential dialing information associated with this telephone prefix.
Area Code 581 is a Canadian telephone overlay code that serves the eastern portion of the province of Quebec, including Quebec City, Saguenay, and the surrounding regions. It was introduced to address the growing demand for new numbers in the territory originally served by the venerable area code.
This comprehensive guide will confirm the location of the area code, detail the major cities it covers, explain the mandatory dialing rules for the region, and offer advice on common scam risks.
Where is Area Code 581 Located?
The 581 area code is located in Quebec, Canada, covering the entire eastern part of the province, extending from the capital, Quebec City, all the way to the Gaspé Peninsula and the Côte-Nord region.
It is an overlay code, meaning it serves the exact same geographic region as the original Area Code 418 and the newer overlay Area Code 367. This setup allows all three codes to coexist in the same area to ensure a sufficient supply of available phone numbers.
Key Details for the 581 Area Code
| Feature | Detail |
| Location | Eastern Quebec, Canada |
| Type | Overlay Code (for 418 and 367) |
| Major Cities | Quebec City, Lévis, Saguenay, Rimouski, Sept-Îles |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) (observes Daylight Saving Time) |
| Mandatory Dialing | 10-digit dialing (Area Code + 7-digit number) is mandatory. |
Major Cities and Regions Covered by 581
If you receive a call from a number, it originates from the eastern two-thirds of Quebec. This large area includes major urban centers, industrial hubs, and vast rural regions.
Principal Cities Served:
- Quebec City (Québec, QC): The provincial capital and the primary urban center for the region.
- Lévis: A large city located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, directly across from Quebec City.
- Saguenay: An important industrial city further north in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
- Rimouski: A major city in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region.
- Sept-Îles (Seven Islands): A key city on the Côte-Nord (North Shore) of the Saint Lawrence River.
The area also extends to smaller but important locations, including Alma, Thetford Mines, Baie-Comeau, and the very remote Estcourt Station, Maine, USA, an American border town that is an isolated part of the NANP area served by this Quebec code.
Essential Dialing Rules for Area Code 581
The introduction of the overlay in 2008 required residents and callers to adapt to new dialing practices across the entire region.
Mandatory 10-Digit Dialing
For any call placed within the area—even if the number you are calling is local—you must dial all digits (the three-digit area code plus the seven-digit local number).
- To call any number within Eastern Quebec: Dial XXX-XXX-XXXX (e.g., 581-555-1234).
- To call another Canadian or US number: Dial 1 + Area Code + 7-digit number.
Since -digit dialing is mandatory across the entire region, residents no longer need to check if a call is local or long-distance; the dialing process is the same for every call.
Is the 581 Area Code a Scam-Prone Code?
The 581 area code is a legitimate Canadian area code. It is not inherently a scam code.
However, like all area codes in Canada and the United States, numbers are susceptible to Caller ID Spoofing. Scammers often use technology to fraudulently display a local area code, like , on your Caller ID to make the call seem trustworthy, even if they are calling from overseas or another province.
- Common Scams: Scammers frequently impersonate government agencies like the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or the CRTC, often using fear tactics to demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information. They may also run general “one-ring” scams, hoping you call back a premium-rate number.
How to Stay Safe:
- Do Not Trust Caller ID: If the number is unfamiliar, let the call go to voicemail.
- Verify Official Calls: The CRA and other government bodies will never threaten arrest or demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. If a call claims to be from an agency, hang up and call the agency back using the official number listed on their government website.
- Block and Report: Block suspected spam numbers and report them to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) or the CRTC (by texting “SPAM” to ).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What time zone is Area Code 581 in?
The area code is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). This means it observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) () and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) () during the summer months.
Are calls between 418, 581, and 367 free?
Yes. All calls within the combined numbering plan area are considered local calls and are not subject to long-distance charges if you have an unlimited local or provincial calling plan.
Does 581 serve the entire province of Quebec?
No. The area code only serves the eastern portion of Quebec. The southern and western parts of the province, including the Montreal metropolitan area, are covered by separate area codes such as , and the Outaouais region uses .
Conclusion
The 581 area code is a vital telecommunications prefix for Eastern Quebec, Canada, encompassing major hubs like Quebec City and Saguenay. Since its introduction as an overlay in , it has necessitated the practice of mandatory 10-digit dialing throughout the region.
If you encounter a number, you are connecting with a line in this large Canadian territory. Always verify the identity of unknown callers, especially if they make urgent demands, to protect yourself from common phone scams.
