What is 10DLC (10-digit long code)?
The US standard for sending business texts from a local number. Learn what 10DLC is, why registration matters, and how it compares with short codes.
A 10-digit long code (10DLC) is a 10-digit phone number used for business messaging in the US. It requires a special registration process and must comply with US messaging guidelines.
Also called A2P 10DLC, this type of number was introduced as a substitute for businesses using P2P numbers and unsanctioned shared short codes. 10DLCs are easier and quicker to set up than short codes, have lower setup and monthly costs, and support a growing number of business messaging use cases.
Key takeaways:
- 10DLC is a 10-digit local number for application-to-person (A2P) messaging in the US.
- Brand and campaign registration is required before you send. Unregistered traffic can be blocked, delayed or sent at lower throughput.
- It supports SMS and MMS, and in some cases voice, with two-way messaging.
- It can send up to 75 messages per second once approved.
How does 10DLC registration work?
- Get a number. Buy or assign a dedicated 10DLC number.
- Register your brand. Submit accurate legal company information, including your tax ID and business address.
- Brand vetting. A vetting agency validates the brand.
- Register your campaign. Describe the use case and provide sample messages tied to your number.
- Review and approval. Carriers or their partners check the submission before traffic goes live.
- Go live and monitor. Send within your approved limits and track performance.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our guide to 10DLC registration.
What can you send with 10DLC?
- Marketing campaigns and promotions
- Appointment reminders and booking confirmations
- Order updates and shipping notifications
- Customer support and FAQs
- Two-factor authentication codes
- Voting, polls, donations and volunteer sign-ups
10DLC compliance basics
- Register your brand and campaign accurately.
- Keep message content aligned with your approved use case.
- Get consent before sending marketing texts, as required by the TCPA. See our guide to TCPA compliance.
- Support STOP and HELP, and avoid public URL shorteners, which carriers often block.
- Avoid restricted categories such as gambling, drugs, alcohol, firearms and adult content, which are restricted or prohibited.
10DLC vs short code
A 10DLC looks like a standard phone number and is easier and quicker to set up, with lower setup and monthly costs. A short code has between 3 and 6 digits, which makes it easier to remember. Toll-free numbers are a third option. Read our comparison of 10DLC vs short code vs toll-free to choose the right one.
10DLC with Infobip
Infobip is a communications platform that helps you get 10DLC campaigns approved faster. Our A2P compliance experts and AI pre-checks help catch issues before submission, and our direct connections with major US carriers help you launch campaigns faster. You can manage registration through a guided portal or automate it through API.
Ready to start? Learn more about Infobip 10DLC campaigns or talk to an expert.
Conclusion
In short, 10DLC is the registered, local way to send business texts in the US. Register your brand and campaign, keep your content aligned with what you registered, and carriers will route your messages with more trust.
FAQs
A 10-digit long code (10DLC) is a 10-digit phone number used for business messaging in the US. It gives businesses a local-looking number for SMS and MMS, and it requires brand and campaign registration before you can send. Registered traffic is trusted and routed more reliably by US carriers.
A2P stands for application-to-person, meaning messages sent by a business application to a customer, such as order updates or reminders. A2P 10DLC is the US framework for sending those messages from a 10-digit long code. It replaced the use of P2P numbers and unsanctioned shared short codes for business traffic.
Yes. In the US, brands must register, and campaigns must be approved, before sending A2P messages from a 10DLC number. Registration tells carriers who is sending, what the traffic is for and why it can be trusted. Without it, messages can be blocked, delayed or sent at lower throughput.
A 10DLC looks like a standard phone number, while a short code has between 3 and 6 digits and is easier to remember. 10DLCs are easier and quicker to set up than short codes, and they have lower setup and monthly costs. Both require carrier-approved registration to send business messages.
10DLC supports marketing campaigns, appointment reminders, order and shipping updates, customer support, two-factor authentication, voting and polls, and donation or volunteer messages. Content must match the use case you registered, and some categories, such as gambling, drugs, alcohol, firearms and adult content, are restricted or prohibited.
According to Infobip, 10DLC can send up to 75 messages per second, which supports most business use cases at high volume. The throughput you get depends on your registration and approval, so sending within your approved limits matters. Exceeding them can trigger carrier filtering and delay or block your messages.