There are certain things Vancouverites take very seriously: their coffee, the Canucks (obviously), and the unspoken agreement that a little rain shouldn’t stop anyone from doing everything.
And somewhere between the mountains, the ocean, and the city’s fierce local pride, you’ll find another Vancouver classic: the 604 area code.
That’s the city’s original telephone area code, and after nearly 80 years, those three digits have developed a personality of their own. However, these days, several area codes are used throughout the city. (Gasp!)
If you’re looking for a Vancouver phone number, it’s easier than you might think… even if you’re nowhere near British Columbia.
What Are Vancouver’s Area Codes?
Today, the main area codes available in Vancouver and the surrounding Lower Mainland include:
- 604: The original British Columbia area code, now historically associated with Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
- 778: Introduced in 2001 to provide additional numbers around Greater Vancouver before expanding across the province in 2007.
- 236: Added in 2013 as a province-wide area code.
- 672: Introduced in 2019, also serving British Columbia province-wide.
- 257: The newest addition, another province-wide area code introduced on May 24, 2025.
Back in 1947, when the North American Numbering Plan was introduced, British Columbia received just one area code: 604.
That meant Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Prince George, and communities separated by hundreds of miles all shared the same three digits. (Pretty ambitious, considering how much BC consists of mountains, forests, and places where your nearest neighbor might be a bear.)
For almost five decades, 604 remained the province’s calling card, until 1996, when British Columbia’s growing demand for telephone numbers led to a split. (The 250 area code took over Vancouver Island and much of British Columbia, while 604 stayed with Vancouver and the southwestern mainland.)
The other four area codes are overlays, meaning they can serve the same geographic territory as existing area codes. (In other words, someone living in Kitsilano could have a 604 number, while their neighbor has 778 or 236.) And they’re province-wide, meaning they actually cover Vancouver and all of British Columbia.
If you’re curious about how all these codes came to be, the Canadian Numbering Administrator maintains a history of Canada’s changing area codes
Where Does the 604 Area Code Cover?
Since 1996, 604 has covered Vancouver and a big stretch of southwestern British Columbia. And what a stretch it is!
The Lower Mainland packs a lot of personality into one area code, from the busy towers of downtown Vancouver to the farms and open fields of the Fraser Valley.
Some of the best-known 604 communities include:
North Vancouver: A gateway to mountain trails, forests, and the kind of outdoor adventures Vancouverites casually squeeze into a weekend.
Vancouver: The city’s urban heart, with neighborhoods like Gastown, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, and Yaletown.
Burnaby: Home to major shopping districts, residential neighborhoods, and business centers.
- North Vancouver: A gateway to mountain trails, forests, and the kind of outdoor adventures Vancouverites casually squeeze into a weekend.
- Surrey: One of the region’s major residential and commercial centers, with its own diverse communities.
- New Westminster: A historic city along the Fraser River, with a character quite different from downtown Vancouver.
- Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam: Established communities east of Vancouver with growing residential and business activity.
Wait, what about the 778, 236, 672, and 257 area codes?
Well…they cover the same places!
Remember, because of the overlay system, you’ll encounter other area codes all throughout these places. For the purposes of what it means to be a “local number,” a 778 or 236 number can be every bit as local as the OG 604 area code.
Does Having a 604 Number Matter for Your Business?
It might!
Imagine you’re opening a small design studio in Mount Pleasant, or expanding your consulting business into British Columbia. Having a Vancouver phone number makes you feel familiar and trustworthy to locals.
For someone who grew up in the Lower Mainland, 604 may feel a little more established than one of the newer area codes, and it’s specific to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. But that doesn’t mean a 604 number is automatically better for your business.
A 778 number is still considered local, as are 236, 672, and 257 numbers assigned to Vancouver. They’re part of the same telephone system, with no special calling advantage attached to the older code.
If your business has deep roots in Vancouver, 604 might feel like a natural choice. Though if you’re a company serving customers well beyond British Columbia, or just want to appear more “legit,” a toll-free or vanity business number might be better.
Either way, the best number is one your customers can remember, and actually use.
How to Get a Vancouver Phone Number (Even if You Don’t Live There)
Here’s some great news: you don’t need to move to Vancouver, find an apartment with a mountain view, or develop a passionate opinion about the best local coffee shop to get a Vancouver phone number! In fact, you don’t even need a Canadian address.
With NumberBarn, you can search available 604 phone numbers and choose one that works for your business or personal use
Getting a Vancouver phone number is honestly pretty straightforward:
- Search for a Vancouver number. Start with 604, or explore other available British Columbia area codes.
- Choose your digits. Look for something memorable, especially if you’ll use the number for business.
- Select your service. Depending on your needs, you can arrange to receive calls through NumberBarn’s forwarding service.
- Set up your calls. Forward incoming calls to an eligible Canadian, U.S., or international telephone number.
With a compatible calling plan, you can also make outgoing calls using your Canadian phone number as your caller ID through NumberBarn’s available calling tools.
That’s particularly useful if you’re running a business remotely or regularly working with clients in Canada, just keep in mind that international forwarding availability and charges depend on the destination.
A Little Vancouver, Wherever You Are
You could choose a newer Vancouver area code and feel perfectly at home, as plenty of local Vancouverites already do. But if your heart is set on the original, there’s something satisfying about those classic digits.
Start by checking available 604 numbers. You can bring a little Vancouver to your business — or your everyday calls — from just about anywhere.
