--- title: "Toll-free numbers: 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888" description: "What 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 numbers are, when each began, and open toll-free numbers by prefix. Concierge answers calls and texts." url: "https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/toll-free" lang: "en" --- Canonical URL: https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers/toll-free # A toll-free number customers can call from anywhere. 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888 are all toll-free, and they all work the same way. Get one for calls and texts, or bring yours, and let Concierge answer it. [Get a toll-free number](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup) toll-free prefixes in service 7 toll-free prefixes in service for the caller Free for the caller on the same number Calls + texts on the same number ## Seven prefixes, one kind of number. NANPA, which runs the North American numbering plan, sets these codes aside for toll-free service. The prefix tells you when it was added, not how well it works. 800 In service since 1966 The first toll-free code and the one most people know. Because it has been handed out the longest, open 800 numbers are often the hardest to find. 888 In service since 1996 The second toll-free code, added in 1996 when 800 numbers began to run short. 877 In service since 1998 Added in 1998. Works exactly like 800 and 888. 866 In service since 2000 Added in 2000. Works exactly like the older codes. 855 In service since 2010 Added in 2010, after a ten-year gap with no new toll-free codes. 844 In service since 2013 Added in 2013. Works exactly like every other toll-free code. 833 In service since 2017 The newest toll-free code in service, added in 2017. ## Open toll-free numbers right now. Pick a prefix to see a live sample from our carrier. Numbers are not held, so they can be taken at any time. ## What a toll-free number means for your business. Callers pay Nothing. Your business pays for the call, so customers never think twice about dialing. Where it works Across the US. A toll-free number isn't tied to a city, so it looks the same to every customer. Texting Carriers require toll-free verification before you text. Chargezen files it for you. Your current number Bring it over. It can start texting through Chargezen before the move finishes. ## How Concierge answers your toll-free number. Customers call or text from anywhere in the country, at any hour. A digital employee answers every one. 1. 1 ### A customer calls or texts Concierge picks up on your toll-free number, recognizes customers by their phone number and pulls up their orders and history. 2. 2 ### It handles the request Order status, changes, refunds within your rules, and questions about your products. 3. 3 ### A teammate joins if needed One tap to join the call. Concierge introduces your teammate to the caller first. 4. 4 ### Everything stays on record Calls and texts land in your team inbox, in one history for each customer. You choose who answers each number: a digital employee takes every call, a teammate gets the first ring and Concierge picks up if nobody answers, or only teammates answer. ## Get a toll-free number that answers. Calls and texts on one number, answered day and night, with your team one tap away. [Get a number](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup) [See Concierge](https://chargezen.com/concierge) ## Common questions ### Is an 833 or 844 number as good as an 800 number? It works exactly the same. Every toll-free prefix is free for the caller, reaches you from anywhere in the US and can take texts. The only difference is familiarity. 800 is the oldest prefix (NANPA lists it in service since 1966), so open 800 numbers are scarcer. ### Who pays for a call to a toll-free number? Your business does, not the caller. In Chargezen, phone and text charges are billed as used. ### Can I text from a toll-free number? Yes. US carriers require toll-free verification before a business texts from a toll-free number, and Chargezen files it for you from the details you provide. Concierge answers the texts as well as the calls. ### Can I keep my toll-free number if I switch? Yes. Bring your toll-free number over from your current provider. Chargezen checks that the number can move, you sign a letter of authorization in Chargezen, and you follow the transfer there. The number stays the same, area code included. A toll-free number can start texting through Chargezen before the move finishes. ### Is a toll-free number better than a local number? Neither is better. A toll-free number looks the same to customers everywhere, which suits brands that sell nationwide. A local number tells callers you're from their area. You can see local numbers by area code on our phone numbers page. ## Explore more. [ ### Local numbers Find a local number by area code or state.](https://chargezen.com/phone-numbers) [ ### Toll-free texting Text customers from your toll-free number, verified for you.](https://chargezen.com/concierge/features/toll-free-texting) [ ### A business number One toll-free or local number for calls and texts, or bring your own.](https://chargezen.com/concierge/features/business-phone-number) [ ### Toll-free number Glossary: what a toll-free number is and when to use one.](https://chargezen.com/glossary/toll-free-number) [ ### Toll-free verification Glossary: the review carriers require before a toll-free number can text.](https://chargezen.com/glossary/toll-free-verification) [ ### Number porting Glossary: how a phone number moves to a new provider, step by step.](https://chargezen.com/glossary/number-porting) Sources: area codes, in-service years, overlays and time zones from the [NANPA NPA database](https://www.nanpa.com/reports/npa-reports) (North American Numbering Plan Administrator), checked October 18, 2026. NANPA lists the original area codes as in service from January 1, 1947. Cities, counties and neighboring codes are public geography. Toll-free prefixes and their in-service years are from the same NANPA file, which lists them as easily recognizable codes for toll-free service. Available numbers come live from our carrier, change constantly and are not held for you.