What is a Toll Free 800 Number?

A very basic definition of a Toll Free Number or also called a 800 number an free inbound telephone number, that a caller can call for free. As the call is free for the caller so the name Toll Free.

Toll free number are recognized by their 800 area code, so they are also referred as 800 Numbers. But now a days toll free numbers also can be 866, 877 or 888.

How 800 Numbers Work?

A toll free number is actually a call forwarding number. You choose where the call should be forwarded to when your 800 number is dialed. So you can forward a toll free number to an existing home phone, a cell phone or a business phone. And you can change the forwarding often as you like.

To have a toll free number you don’t need any special equipment or additional line or installation. All the technical stuff is done by your 800 number service provider. Plus you get many features like Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Voicemail etc on your regular phone as if the caller called you directly on the regular number

Toll Free Number is a Feature not a Phone
Think of toll free number as an extra feature and not hardware based. You don’t need an extra hardware or a special kind of a phone to receive toll free calls. Its a feature that your 800 Number service provider provides so your callers can call you free.

Its Free for the Caller Not for You

You need to pay your service provider a fee to provide you the 800 number and the call forwarding and other services behind it. So choose your service provider carefully. The cost is a factor and so is the quality of the service.