Short code
A short code is a short numeric sender allocated within one country, often separately registered, for high-volume two-way application messaging.
Definitions only — a term explained here is not a service we sell.
A short code is a short numeric address for application-to-person messaging within one country. It is allocated nationally, often needs its own registration, and can receive replies, so it works as a reply path as well as a sender.
Allocation is usually for a fixed term and a fee. The digits carry no country code, so they can mean different things in different markets.
Three sender types
| Three sender types | Alpha sender | Short code | Long number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reply path | Usually no | Yes | Yes |
| Registration | Per market | National allocation | Per market |
| Best for | One-way alerts | High-volume two-way | Two-way with a local number |
Text description
The matrix puts an alphanumeric sender, a short code and a long number side by side. The short code column shows national allocation, a reply path, and high-volume two-way as the best fit.
What to check
A voting campaign fits a shared code with a keyword per contestant; a bank needs a dedicated code. Confirm the allocation route, the term, the renewal process, the throughput per operator and whether the code works on all networks in the country. Plan the reply keywords and the opt-out path before launch: a code that cannot process an opt-out is a compliance risk. The Sender ID in Mexico and Brazil guide covers sender choice.