> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hiveku.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get a Local or Toll-Free Number

> Find a local number in your area or a toll-free number, see what it costs each month, order it, and choose where its calls go

A phone number is how customers call and text your business. A local number has your area code, so callers know you are nearby. A toll-free number works across the country.

This guide finds a Portland number for Northwind and compares it with a toll-free number. It stops before **Order**, so nothing is bought.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Phones come with paid plans. Before your first number, an account owner or admin clicks **Set up phones** in **Communications** (it is free). Someone on your team then reads and accepts how 911 works with Hiveku phones (**Read the 911 notice** on the overview), and you add a 911 address.

## Search for a local number

**1. Open Find a number**

Click **Communications** in the left rail, then **Numbers** in the **Routing** menu, then **Find a number**.

**2. Say where**

On **Local**, type an **Area code**, or a **City** and **State**, and click **Search**.

![Find a number on Local, with Area code 503, City Portland and State OR, outlined](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb/images/how-tos/phone/ph-01-search-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb\&q=85\&s=27bed312c355afbbfa72f3ff5866a6ab)

**3. Read the results**

Each number shows its state, what it can do (**SMS**, **MMS**, **Emergency** for 911) and its monthly price. When no number matches exactly, the nearest ones are listed and marked **Nearby**: check the area code before you order. Here nothing matched 503, Portland and OR exactly, so the nearest are in 971, Portland's other area code.

![Search, outlined, beside the note No numbers match exactly right now, these are the nearest available; and a number in 971, OR, Nearby, with Emergency, MMS and SMS and \$1.00/mo + \$0.50 911 fee, outlined. The last four digits of each number are blurred](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb/images/how-tos/phone/ph-02-results-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb\&q=85\&s=09dfdcc5e5609c324543f4f71341589c)

## Choose a number and order it

**1. Click the number you want**

It is marked with a tick. Click more than one to order several at once.

![The 971 number selected with a tick, outlined, beside another result. The last four digits of each number are blurred](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb/images/how-tos/phone/ph-03-selected-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb\&q=85\&s=231fe45d95f3906e000f8add69da96b2)

**2. Check its 911 address**

Under **E911 address**, check the address where the number is used, so 911 can find you. Only verified addresses are listed, and the first one is picked for you. If the list is empty, add an address first: **E911** in the **Admin** menu, then **Register address**. A local number can't be ordered without one.

**3. Order it**

The button counts what you chose, such as **Order 1**. Click it to buy the number.

![1 selected, Cancel, and the Order 1 button, outlined](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb/images/how-tos/phone/ph-04-order-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb\&q=85\&s=04736710a31ec9d86fa157bcc45b4d65)

**4. Choose where its calls go**

A new number turns calls away until you choose where they go. On the **Numbers** page, click the pencil beside the number and pick a choice under **Inbound routes to**.

## Or get a toll-free number

On **Toll-free**, pick a **Prefix** such as 888, or **Any prefix**, and click **Search**. A toll-free number costs $5.00 a month plus $0.03 a minute for calls to it. It needs no 911 address, and it works nationwide, so there is no city or state to choose. A toll-free number can take up to 2 business days to switch on after you order it.

![Toll-free with Prefix 888 and the line Toll-free numbers bill \$5.00/mo each plus a \$0.03/min surcharge on inbound calls, outlined; and a toll-free number at \$5.00/mo, outlined. The last four digits of each number are blurred](https://mintcdn.com/locusdigital/f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb/images/how-tos/phone/ph-05-toll-free-closeup.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=f6vZe1ed9HfrrzXb\&q=85\&s=1b1891d8c89a6fd79db6149e8b156c7c)

## Good to know

* **Prices are monthly.** A local number shows its monthly price and its 911 fee. A true 1-800 number isn't available here.
* **Texting.** A number can send texts only after your business is registered: **SMS registration** in the **Admin** menu. Approval usually takes 1 to 3 business days.
* **Already have a number?** You can move it to Hiveku instead of buying a new one: **Port existing numbers** on the Numbers page starts it.
* **More:** [Phone numbers](/communications/phone-numbers) covers what to do with a number once you have it.


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