Short Codes and Long Codes in Mobile Communications
Posted: Wed May 28, 2025 3:23 am
In the world of mobile communications, especially in the context of SMS (Short Message Service), short codes and long codes are two types of phone numbers used for sending and receiving text messages. Both serve specific purposes and have unique features that make them suitable for different business and communication needs.
What Are Short Codes?
Short codes are special telephone numbers significantly shorter than standard phone numbers, typically 5 to 6 digits long (for example, 12345 or 67890). They are designed specifically for mass communication and are widely used by businesses, government agencies, and organizations for marketing campaigns, alerts, and customer service.
Purpose: Short codes are primarily used for sending bulk SMS, promotional messages, alerts, two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, and interactive campaigns.
Types: Short codes can be either shared (used by multiple companies but with different keywords) or dedicated (assigned exclusively to one company).
Speed and Throughput: Short codes support high throughput, meaning they can send thousands of messages per second. This makes them ideal for time-sensitive notifications like flash sales or emergency alerts.
User Experience: Because they are short and easy to recent mobile phone number data remember, customers can quickly text or remember these numbers for services like voting in TV shows, participating in polls, or subscribing to offers.
Cost and Regulation: Obtaining a short code usually involves a registration process with mobile carriers and can be costly, both in setup and monthly fees. They are heavily regulated to prevent spam and abuse.
What Are Long Codes?
Long codes, also called virtual mobile numbers or 10-digit numbers (in countries like the US), are standard phone numbers similar to those used by individuals. For example, a long code could look like a regular phone number: +1 (555) 123-4567.
Purpose: Long codes are mainly used for person-to-person (P2P) communication, customer support, and low-volume messaging such as appointment reminders, transactional alerts, and two-way conversations.
Throughput: Long codes support a much lower message throughput compared to short codes. They typically send around 1 message per second, which suits conversations but not mass marketing.
Two-Way Communication: Long codes allow for two-way messaging where customers can respond directly, making them well suited for customer service and conversational use cases.
Cost: They are less expensive and easier to acquire than short codes, with fewer regulatory hurdles.
International Use: Long codes can often be used internationally, but some countries restrict or limit their use for SMS, requiring alternatives like short codes or toll-free numbers.
Key Differences
Feature Short Codes Long Codes
Length 5-6 digits 10+ digits (standard phone no.)
Throughput High (thousands of messages/sec) Low (approx. 1 message/sec)
Use Case Mass marketing, alerts, 2FA Customer service, transactional SMS, P2P
Two-Way Messaging Limited, mostly one-way Fully supported
Cost Higher setup and monthly fees Lower, pay-per-use or monthly
Regulation Strict carrier and regulatory approval Less strict
User Experience Easy to remember, branded Regular phone numbers
Summary
Short codes and long codes both play important roles in mobile communications but serve different functions. Short codes are ideal for large-scale marketing, alerts, and campaigns requiring high-speed message delivery and easy memorability. Long codes, on the other hand, provide a more personal, conversational experience suitable for customer support and transactional messaging with lower volume needs.
Understanding when to use each can help businesses optimize communication strategies, balancing cost, speed, and customer engagement.
What Are Short Codes?
Short codes are special telephone numbers significantly shorter than standard phone numbers, typically 5 to 6 digits long (for example, 12345 or 67890). They are designed specifically for mass communication and are widely used by businesses, government agencies, and organizations for marketing campaigns, alerts, and customer service.
Purpose: Short codes are primarily used for sending bulk SMS, promotional messages, alerts, two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, and interactive campaigns.
Types: Short codes can be either shared (used by multiple companies but with different keywords) or dedicated (assigned exclusively to one company).
Speed and Throughput: Short codes support high throughput, meaning they can send thousands of messages per second. This makes them ideal for time-sensitive notifications like flash sales or emergency alerts.
User Experience: Because they are short and easy to recent mobile phone number data remember, customers can quickly text or remember these numbers for services like voting in TV shows, participating in polls, or subscribing to offers.
Cost and Regulation: Obtaining a short code usually involves a registration process with mobile carriers and can be costly, both in setup and monthly fees. They are heavily regulated to prevent spam and abuse.
What Are Long Codes?
Long codes, also called virtual mobile numbers or 10-digit numbers (in countries like the US), are standard phone numbers similar to those used by individuals. For example, a long code could look like a regular phone number: +1 (555) 123-4567.
Purpose: Long codes are mainly used for person-to-person (P2P) communication, customer support, and low-volume messaging such as appointment reminders, transactional alerts, and two-way conversations.
Throughput: Long codes support a much lower message throughput compared to short codes. They typically send around 1 message per second, which suits conversations but not mass marketing.
Two-Way Communication: Long codes allow for two-way messaging where customers can respond directly, making them well suited for customer service and conversational use cases.
Cost: They are less expensive and easier to acquire than short codes, with fewer regulatory hurdles.
International Use: Long codes can often be used internationally, but some countries restrict or limit their use for SMS, requiring alternatives like short codes or toll-free numbers.
Key Differences
Feature Short Codes Long Codes
Length 5-6 digits 10+ digits (standard phone no.)
Throughput High (thousands of messages/sec) Low (approx. 1 message/sec)
Use Case Mass marketing, alerts, 2FA Customer service, transactional SMS, P2P
Two-Way Messaging Limited, mostly one-way Fully supported
Cost Higher setup and monthly fees Lower, pay-per-use or monthly
Regulation Strict carrier and regulatory approval Less strict
User Experience Easy to remember, branded Regular phone numbers
Summary
Short codes and long codes both play important roles in mobile communications but serve different functions. Short codes are ideal for large-scale marketing, alerts, and campaigns requiring high-speed message delivery and easy memorability. Long codes, on the other hand, provide a more personal, conversational experience suitable for customer support and transactional messaging with lower volume needs.
Understanding when to use each can help businesses optimize communication strategies, balancing cost, speed, and customer engagement.