What is a toll-free number?
A toll-free number is a phone number that callers can dial at no charge, because the business that owns it pays for the incoming calls. In the US and Canada they start with prefixes such as 800, 888, 877 or 866.
How it works
Toll-free numbers are not tied to a location. When someone dials one, the network looks up which provider manages it and routes the call there, and the receiving business is billed for the call instead of the caller.
In North America the prefixes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888, and a number can be moved between providers. Other countries use their own formats, such as 0800 in the UK and much of Europe.
With a cloud phone system, a toll-free number behaves like any other: it can ring a team, play a menu or reach an AI receptionist.
Why it matters
01No cost for callers
Customers call without thinking about the price, which helps support and sales lines.
02National image
One number for the whole country instead of a local area code.
03Memorable
Vanity toll-free numbers that spell a word are easy to recall from an ad.
Allo and Toll-free number
Allo offers toll-free numbers that route callers to your team, a menu or the AI receptionist, with every call logged in your CRM.
Related terms
The terms that usually come up in the same conversation.
All glossary terms
Frequently asked questions
No. In the US and Canada, 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 are all toll-free and work the same way.
Yes, many can, after toll-free verification, which is the registration US carriers require before allowing business texts.
In the US and Canada, the call is free, though it still uses the caller's plan minutes. Rules differ in other countries.