Short Codes 101

Short codes are five- and six-digit numbers used by enterprises, organizations, and corporations. The short code registry operates on behalf of the wireless carriers in the U.S. Using this website, you can find and lease a short code directly.

Short Code Example: Marketing

Hey Pizza Lover, text SLICE to 27522 and Sign Up for Football Season Pizza Deals!

Short Code Example: Engagement

Your car is due for service! Please let us know by text your preferred date and time for an appointment.

Short Code Example: Engagement

Thank you for your recent visit to our orthopedics practice! On a scale of 1-5, how was your experience?

Short Code Example: Operations

Gate change: Flight AZ5046, from DCA to BHM departs at 8:40 AM out of gate 57. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Short Code Example: Authentication

Your sign-in code is 74093.

Why Use Short Codes?

Short codes are a simple, accessible way to communicate with users. They are “common” because they work across all participating wireless carriers.

Whether an alert, product discount, donation, or notification, a short code is a trusted, reliable, and powerful way to engage audiences through texting.

Short codes are easy to remember, have open rates above 90%, enjoy a high degree of consumer trust, and have very high deliverability relative to other messaging platforms.

Affordable Pricing and Easy Payment Options

Short code pricing is straightforward, with flexible payment options to fit your budget cycle. For a Select short code – one you choose yourself – the lease rate is $1,000 per month. For a Random code – one assigned to you by the system – the lease rate is $500 per month.

Once the code is leased from usshortcodes.com, you gain the exclusive right to use your code throughout your lease period. These fees are non-refundable regardless of whether any wireless service provider agrees to activate your code. Payment must be received in full for the duration of the registration within 60 days of your order or your code will be placed back in the available pool.

Important: You need a Short Code Registry account in order to get a code. Once set up, select "Apply for New Short Code" and complete the order form. You can purchase up to 20 short codes on a single order, each leased for 3-, 6-, or 12-month terms.

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Explore Use Cases

Woman receives an update on her mobile phone while checking into a hotel

Communicating During a Crisis

Omni Dallas Hotel—housing over 650 employees and occupants within its 1,000 rooms—needed to communicate with all of their associates during a city-wide emergency.

Short code reliability allows for mission critical communication with the end user.

See Case Study

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About CTIA & iconectiv

Short codes are administered by the Common Short Code Administration (CSCA), an LLC governed by CTIA, the wireless trade association, on behalf of U.S. wireless carriers. Technical aspects of the registry are supported by CTIA’s partner, iconectiv.