how to find out who owns a shortcode

An SMS short code lookup is the process of using the US Short Code Directory's search tool to determine information about a specific SMS short code. To lookup an SMS short code, click here.

Below are two examples of a short code lookup. The first example shows that the short code 48500 is available:

48500 sms short code lookup example

The second image displays the results of a short code that is already taken:

sms-short-code-lookup-example

What Is an SMS Short Code?

A short code is a 5 or 6 digit SMS number that businesses use to communicate with people who opt-in to their text message program, such as 33733. Consumers text a corresponding SMS keyword to the short code to subscribe and then receive SMS and MMS messages on their mobile phone.

AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and other major wireless carriers developed SMS short codes as an alternative to regular 10-digit mobile phone numbers. Compared to traditional 10-digit phone numbers, SMS short codes are much easier for consumers to read and recall, as they are about half the length. For more information about SMS short codes, click here.

Why Would I Look up an SMS Short Code?

There are many reasons to use the short code directory lookup tool. For example, if you are looking for the availability of a short code to purchase, the directory will return info about the availability.

Users can also use the search tool to access information about a short code if they have received messages from it.

In efforts to reduce spam and maintain SMS short codes as a clean messaging channel, the US Short Code Directory has also teamed up with SpamResponse. As a result, users can directly report a spam short code within the US Short Code Directory.

form-sms-short-code-lookup-example

What Is the SMS Short Code Directory?

The SMS Short Code Directory is an SMS short code lookup tool that helps users find information about an SMS short code. Since 2016, the SMS Short Code Directory has provided the #1 SMS short code lookup service, supporting more than 13,000 SMS short code lookups. As the first publicly available SMS short code list, the directory remains a free public resource that provides information on over 11,000 U.S. short codes, short code ownership, and short code campaign information.

The SMS Short Code Directory functions include the following:

Maintaining a publicly accessible SMS short code directory, containing ownership information for SMS short codes in the United States.
Providing publicly available SMS short code resources that give users the ability to learn about SMS short codes.
Assisting brands and organizations in the acquisition of their own SMS short codes through The Short Code Registry..

What Is the US Short Code Directory Learning Center?

The US Short Code Directory Learning Center is a central source for SMS short code questions and answers. It contains a wide range of resources about short codes, compliance, tips, and more.

To understand the type of resources users can find, below are some frequently asked questions the learning center has answered:

How do I find available short codes?
What are some good tips for selecting a good short code?
How much does an SMS short code cost?
What is the Common Short Code Administration (CTIA)?
What is a vanity short code?
What is a dedicated short code?

To find the answers to your SMS short code questions, visit the US Short Code Directory Learning Center here.