Glossary/Email & Lifecycle/Short Code
Email & Lifecycle
Short Code
A five- or six-digit phone number used for high-volume, pre-approved SMS marketing in the U.S. and Canada.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
A short code is a five- or six-digit phone number used for high-volume, pre-approved SMS marketing in the U.S. and Canada. Short codes require carrier approval before use. They support much higher throughput than standard phone numbers, making them suitable for large promotional campaigns, alerts and keyword-based opt-in programs.