Glossary > Short codes

Short codes

What’s a short code?

Short codes are abbreviated phone numbers, typically five to six digits, that businesses use to send and receive SMS and MMS text messages.

The OG of text channels, short codes are available in the US and Canada. Short codes are designed for high-throughput messaging, and can be used for a plethora of business cases: marketing campaigns, customer service, interactive mobile experiences, and more.

Feature	Short Codes
Geographic availability	Globally with country-specific codes
Voice Capable?	No
SMS 2-Way?	Yes
Multimedia Capable>	Yes
Expected Time to Market	8 Weeks
Cost	$$$

Benefits & downsides of short codes

PROS	CONS
Most reliable delivery rates	Longest time to market
Typically offers the highest messaging throughput rates	Higher startup cost than 10DLC or toll-free
Sometimes considered the Cadillac of texting	Not voice-enabled
Easy to remember for branding

List of common short codes

Whether you realize it or not, short codes are already a part of your daily life! Common short codes include:

911: Emergency services
999: Emergency services (in some areas)
211-211: Crisis and emergency counseling
311: Non-emergency government services
211: Community information
411: Directory assistance
511: Traffic/transportation information
611: Customer service for wireless carriers
711: Telecommunications Relay Service for deaf and hard of hearing folks
811: Call before you dig services
888-111: American Red Cross
877-877: Stop to end unwanted messages or SPAM
21523: American Idol voting
888888: Political messaging and advocacy groups
12345: Emergency alerts and notifications from the local government
246246: Weather alerts and notifications

How businesses use short codes

Short codes can serve different purposes depending on the industry and business needs.

Marketing and promotions: Short codes are used by brands for campaigns, provide exclusive offers, casting votes, and build brand loyalty with opted-in customers.
Authentication: Use short codes for two-factor authentication, resetting passwords, and one-time codes.
Alerts and updates: Organizations often use short codes for real-time notifications and time-sensitive updates, because of their higher deliverability rates.
Customer Service: Short codes offer customers a quick, convenient way to reach you for support, inquiries, and issue resolution.