# Send and reply to text messages

> Send an SMS from the Inbox with New message, or reply in the conversation. Texts leave from your Line number and cost credits per segment.

Source: https://useline.io/help/messaging/send-sms  
Section: Messaging channels  
Last updated: 2026-11-06

You send and receive texts on your Line number in the **Inbox**. Start a new text with **New message**, or reply in an open conversation.

## Before you start

- You need a Line number that can send SMS. To get one, go to **Channels**, open **SMS**, then select **Buy a number**.
- Your workspace needs credits. Each text costs credits.

## Send a new text

1. Open **Inbox**.
2. Select **New message** in the header bar.
3. In **To**, type a contact name or a phone number.
4. Select the contact, or type the full phone number.
5. Type the text in **Message**.
6. Select **Send**.

You can also select the **+** button in the header bar, then **Send a Message**. This works from any page.

The text starts a conversation in the Inbox. Replies from the customer go into the same conversation.

## Reply to a text

1. Open **Inbox**.
2. Select the conversation.
3. Make sure the **Reply** tab is selected in the composer.
4. Type your reply.
5. Select **Send**, or press Command + Enter.

A reply leaves from the number that the conversation uses. The customer sees one number for the full conversation.

## Pictures and files

Texts on UK numbers cannot carry pictures or files. The attach button is not available on an SMS reply. To share a file, use email, WhatsApp or Web Chat.

You can attach a file to an internal note on an SMS conversation. Only your team sees it.

## Message length and segments

A long text goes as more than one segment. Each segment costs credits.

| Text contains | One segment holds |
|---|---|
| Only standard characters (GSM-7) | 160 characters |
| An emoji or another special character | 70 characters |

To see the count while you type, turn on **Show segment details**:

1. Go to **Settings**, then **General**.
2. In **Message composer**, turn on **Show segment details**.

The composer then shows the characters in the current segment and the number of segments. This setting is for your user only.

## Texts to landlines

A UK landline usually cannot receive texts. When you text a number that starts with 01, 02 or 03, Line shows "This looks like a landline." Select **Send anyway** to send it. Line does not show this warning for a number that has texted you before.

## Delivery status

The line under your last message shows its status:

| Icon | Status |
|---|---|
| Clock | Sending |
| One tick | Sent |
| Two ticks | Delivered |
| Warning and **Not delivered** | The text did not arrive |

SMS has no read status. For a failed text, see [A text message was not delivered](https://useline.io/help/troubleshooting/sms-not-delivered).

## Common problems

**The New message button is not available.** Your workspace has no active number. Check the number status in **Channels** > **SMS**.

**You see "Insufficient credits".** Your credit balance is too low to send. An Owner or Admin can buy credits in **Settings** > **Billing & Usage**.

## Related articles

- [Use the shared Inbox](https://useline.io/help/inbox/shared-inbox.md): The Inbox holds every customer conversation on SMS, calls, WhatsApp, email and Web Chat in one list. Open a conversation to read it, reply, or close it.
- [Use message templates](https://useline.io/help/messaging/message-templates.md): Save replies you send often as templates in Channels > SMS > Templates, then insert them in the Inbox. WhatsApp templates also need Meta approval.
- [A text message was not delivered](https://useline.io/help/troubleshooting/sms-not-delivered.md): Point to Not delivered under the message to see the reason. Common causes are a landline, an opt-out, an unreachable phone, a blocked country or low credits.
- [How credits and the credit wallet work](https://useline.io/help/billing/credits-and-usage.md): Line is prepaid. Calls, texts, WhatsApp, extra email and AI replies use credits from your wallet. One credit is 1p. Automatic top-up refills it.