What are 800 numbers?

800 numbers are toll free numbers. The reason why the term 800 numbers is widely used is because 800 was the first telephone number prefix used for toll free numbers. These are special telephone numbers in which the number being called is charged instead of the caller. These are commonly used by businesses and companies to provide assistance and free access to present and would-be customers.

Although 800 is the most popular prefix for a toll free number, there are also other prefixes that are being used now, which are 888, 866 and 877. 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. A more extensive discussion on the differences among toll free number prefixes can be found here.

An 800 number may be a stand-alone telephone line that has multiple extensions in a single location such as an office. This is the traditional set-up that has been known for years. Now, there are toll free services that already include phone lines outside of your office, such as your home phone or your mobile phone. Moreover, most toll free service providers now offer 800 numbers as part of a communications system composed of other devices such as cell phones, Internet-connected computers and other external phone lines.

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.