Toll-Free Number

Updated 2026-09-30 · By the ZuteSIP team (ZuteSIP Inc.)

Short answer: A toll-free number is a phone number that callers can dial without being charged for the call, because the number's owner covers the cost. Toll-free numbers use special prefixes set by each country, such as 800, 888 or 877 in the US and Canada, and are common for customer support and sales lines.

Toll-free numbers signal an established business and remove a barrier for customers who might hesitate to pay for a call.

Definition

A toll-free, or freephone, number sits in a national range reserved for calls billed to the recipient. The prefixes and rules differ by country.

How it works

When a caller dials the number, their carrier recognises the prefix and does not bill them. The call is routed to the owner's provider and delivered to a line, PBX or SIP account. Some toll-free numbers can only be dialled from inside their own country, and SMS support varies by country and number.

Toll-free numbers at a glance

Aspect	Detail
Who pays for the call	The recipient; the caller is not billed
Where it can be dialled	Some toll-free numbers only from inside their own country
SMS support	Varies by country and number
ZuteSIP price	Same as other number types, from $1.80 per month billed yearly ($21.60 per year)

How it applies to ZuteSIP

ZuteSIP offers toll-free numbers alongside mobile and local numbers, at the same price as every other number type: from $1.80 per month billed yearly ($21.60 per year). Each includes unlimited incoming calls, SIP credentials, call forwarding and the web dialer.

Related terms

Local number
Mobile number
DID
IVR

Frequently asked questions

Is a toll-free number free for me as the owner?

No. The owner pays for the number; the caller does not pay for the call.

Can people abroad call a toll-free number?

Often not. Many toll-free numbers work only from within their own country.

Does a toll-free number cost more at ZuteSIP?

No. Every number type in every country has the same price.

Can I forward toll-free calls to my mobile?

Yes. Call forwarding to any phone is included.