Sinch Engage dedicated short code
The type of number you need to reach a massive audience in minutes. Learn what you can send and how we can help you get registered for a short code, fast.
Also known as an SMS short code number, a dedicated short code is a 5- or 6-digit number for high-volume SMS and MMS messaging. It’s ideal for sending a high volume of messages to a large audience, fast.
Due to their superior reach and security, businesses often use short codes for mass texting campaigns, time-sensitive alerts, two-factor identification, and two-way messaging. They’re especially handy for SMS keyword opt-in campaigns (e.g. “text VIP to 44455 to get exclusive offers!”) and sending in the millions.
Not all short codes are the same. You’ll need to choose a type when you register.
Short code vs. other number types
Short codes support SMS and MMS and can help you get maximum impact on large-scale text marketing campaigns. See more about how the number types differ.
| Dedicated short code | 10DLC Local number | Toll-free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5-6 digits | 10 digits | 10 digits |
| Speed | Fastest | Fast | Faster |
| Best for | High-volume marketing or alerts | 1-to-1 interactions, appointment reminders | Customer support, large-scale notifications |
| Volume per day | Millions | Thousands | Hundreds of thousands |
| Throughput | High | High | Medium |
| Reach | Within country of registration | US, Puerto Rico, Canada | US, Canada, US territories, and the Caribbean |
| Setup cost | High | Low | Low |
| Provisioning time | 8-12 weeks | 1-5 business days | 1-5 business days |
There are several steps for short code number registration, and we’re happy to guide you along the way:
Step 1: Decide on your short code type
Step 2: Check availability (if choosing a vanity code) and lease your short code through the U.S. Short Code Administration
Step 3: Submit an application, get provisioned and approved (required before using your new short code)
Step 4: Activate your Sinch Engage account and use our multiple ways to send
For over 20 years, we’ve helped businesses of all sizes connect with their customers. Top brands in retail, health & fitness, beauty, education, and more trust us for:
Easy setup, with multiple ways to send
Fastest phone number registration
Tier 1 global network for high deliverability
Enterprise-grade compliance & data security
Direct integrations with top CRMs & business tools
FAQs
Getting a dedicated short code approved and ready to use usually takes 8–12 weeks. It’s a bit longer than other number types due to carrier approvals, but we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.
Dedicated short codes typically come with a one-time carrier setup fee of $1,000, a monthly leasing fee of $1,000 for a random short code or $1,500 for a vanity short code- a custom, memorable short code of your choice plus messaging costs. We’ll help you find the right setup for your use case and budget. Talk to one of our experts for more information.
Short codes are built for high-volume messaging in many regions throughout the world. Think marketing blasts, time-sensitive alerts, two-factor authentication, and more—they’re fast, reliable, and made for scale.
Short codes are provisioned for each country and they are not available in all countries. This means you have to go through the provisioning process in each country to use a short code for international texting.
Short codes typically deliver 500+ messages per second with minimal carrier filtering. 10DLC generally supports around 25–50 MPS depending on registration and carrier, while toll-free is usually slower than 10DLC for large bursts.
MMS support is optional per short code. If MMS isn’t enabled at provisioning, it can be added later; however, enabling MMS during initial setup is recommended to avoid additional steps.
Yes, short codes can be migrated between providers. With proper coordination among aggregators and carriers, most transfers complete with little to no downtime.
We’re happy to help! Contact our expert team to learn how the process might work for you.
