What is a toll-free number?

Answer 1

A toll-free number is a telephone number that does not incur long-distance charges. Note that calls to toll-free numbers from a mobile phone will usually incur airtime charges (or use your included minutes), but with no additional charge for long distance. In some countries, toll-free numbers will still incur the same charges as local calls.

The toll-free codes in North America (USA, Canada, etc.) are 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844, with 833 and 822 reserved for future toll-free use. The UK uses 0800 and 0808. Many countries use 0800 or similar codes. Australia uses 1800 and 1300. Ireland and India use 1800. China uses 0800 and 0400.

Universal International Freephone Numbers (UIFN) are worldwide toll-free numbers using telephone country code +800. They are toll-free from participating countries, if the call recipient has chosen to accept calls from that country.

Universal International Freephone Numbers (UIFN) use telephone country code +800, which is dialed as 00 800 from many places, or 011-800 from US/Canada.

Although 800 is the most popular prefix for a toll-free number in North America, there are also other prefixes that are being used now, which are 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844. There are no differences among these numbers in terms of features. However, an 800 number is seen to be better than the others. Toll-free numbers with the prefix 800 are seen to be more effective and powerful when used in advertising and promotion, making them more expensive as well.

The number 1-800-FLOWERS is obviously easier to remember than when it is translated to 1-800-3569377. This is an example of a custom-made vanity toll-free number. Because they spell a word or a phrase, vanity numbers provide easy recall to customers. They are also able to immediately give an idea about the business that owns the number. Most toll-free service providers offer both standard and vanity toll-free numbers.