320 monthly searches · Dedicated & shared

SMS short codes for UK campaigns

Get a UK SMS short code for opt-ins, voting, donations, and competitions. Dedicated or shared — OFCOM compliant, keyword-driven, and easy to promote across any channel.

Pick a use case

Preview

Text JOIN to 80123

Reply JOIN to confirm & receive updates

Shared & dedicated short codes available

Get a short code

Shared & dedicated short codes available · OFCOM registered

Get a short code in 3 steps

From sign-up to your first campaign-ready keyword in minutes.

1

Choose dedicated or shared

Dedicated codes give you a unique number for full keyword flexibility. Shared codes reduce costs — ideal if you only need one keyword.

2

Register your keywords

Claim your keywords (e.g. JOIN, VOTE, DONATE) and set up auto-response messages for each. Takes minutes in the dashboard.

3

Promote and collect opt-ins

Print 'Text JOIN to 80123' on your marketing materials. Every response is captured, confirmed by auto-reply, and visible in your inbox.

SMS short code use cases from campaigns to charity to competition.

Short codes are the industry standard for any campaign that needs mass engagement via SMS.

Marketing opt-ins

Drive GDPR-compliant SMS marketing opt-ins from any channel. 'Text JOIN to 80123' turns any ad into a list-builder.

Voting and polls

Run public votes via SMS short code. Contestants text a keyword to vote — real-time results, fraud prevention, full audit trail.

Charity donations

Accept text-to-donate campaigns. Supporters text DONATE to trigger a giving flow — widely trusted by UK charity audiences.

Competition entries

Run competitions via SMS keyword. Enter by texting WIN to your short code — captures mobile numbers and drives engagement.

Everything in your SMS short code service

Keywords, auto-responses, analytics, and full OFCOM compliance — included as standard.

Memorable short numbers
5 or 6-digit numbers are easy to print, broadcast, and remember. Drive opt-ins from TV, radio, print, and outdoor ads.
Keyword campaigns
Assign multiple keywords (JOIN, VOTE, DONATE, WIN) to a single short code. Each keyword triggers a different automated response.
Dedicated vs shared
Dedicated short codes are yours alone — full keyword control, custom branding. Shared short codes lower costs by splitting the number between businesses.
OFCOM compliant
All Line short codes are registered with OFCOM and the Phone-paid Services Authority. Free-to-end-user (FTEU) and premium codes both available.
Campaign analytics
Track opt-in rates, keyword usage, and message volumes in real time. Export data for your CRM or campaign reporting.
Auto-responses
Set instant automated replies for each keyword. Confirm opt-ins, send links, or trigger webhooks when a keyword is received.

SMS short code FAQ

Common questions about UK SMS short codes.

What is an SMS short code?

An SMS short code is a 5 or 6-digit number used for high-volume or campaign SMS. Rather than a full UK phone number, customers text a short memorable number like 80123. Short codes handle mass opt-ins, voting, donations, and automated marketing campaigns. They come in two types: dedicated (owned by one business) and shared (used by multiple businesses with different keywords).

What is the difference between a dedicated and shared short code?

A dedicated short code is exclusively yours — you control all keywords, branding, and messaging. A shared short code is operated by a provider and leased to multiple businesses, each using a different keyword. Dedicated codes cost more but give full flexibility. Shared codes are more affordable if you only need one or two keywords.

Are UK SMS short codes regulated?

Yes. UK SMS short codes are regulated by OFCOM and the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). Free-to-end-user (FTEU) codes must be registered and comply with PSA Code of Practice. Premium rate codes are subject to additional PSA requirements. Line handles compliance registration for all short codes we provision.

How much does an SMS short code cost in the UK?

Shared short code leases start from a low monthly fee per keyword. Dedicated short codes carry a higher monthly cost reflecting the exclusivity of the number. Contact us for a quote based on your expected message volumes and keyword requirements.

Can I use a short code for two-way SMS?

Yes. Inbound keyword messages trigger webhooks and auto-responses. For full conversation-style two-way messaging, a dedicated UK virtual number is often more appropriate — short codes are better suited to structured campaign flows.

How is a short code different from a virtual SMS number?

A short code is 5–6 digits and used for campaigns. A virtual SMS number is a full-length UK phone number that customers can save and call as well as text. For ongoing customer relationships, a virtual number builds more trust. For mass marketing and opt-in campaigns, short codes work better due to their memorability.

Get your UK SMS short code

Shared or dedicated, keyword-driven, OFCOM compliant. Talk to us to get your short code provisioned.

  • Dedicated or shared short codes
  • Multiple keywords per short code
  • Auto-response messages per keyword
  • Inbound webhooks for every response
  • Real-time campaign analytics
  • OFCOM & PSA compliant registration
  • Free-to-end-user (FTEU) options
  • UK team support included
Talk to Us About Short Codes

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Need a full number instead? Virtual SMS number · SMS Gateway UK · SMS integrations

SMS Short Codes UK | Dedicated & Shared Short Codes | Line | Line