EpicTexting
A Twilio number is the phone number your texts come from, and the number replies go back to. It takes about five minutes to get one. This guide covers which kind to pick, where to click, and the registration step that decides whether US carriers actually deliver your texts.
Which kind of number do you need?
| Type | Looks like | Cost (US) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (10DLC) | (415) 555-0100 | $1.15/mo | Small businesses, teams, reminders. Feels personal. |
| Toll-free | (888) 555-0100 | $2.15/mo | National brands and customer support |
| Short code | 55501 | From $1,000/quarter | Very high volume marketing |
| Mobile (outside US) | +44 7700 900100 | $2.50/mo UK | Texting in the UK, Australia and Europe |
Not sure? Get a local number in your own area code. It's the cheapest, and people are more likely to read a text from a familiar-looking number.
Step 1: Create your Twilio account
- Go to twilio.com/try-twilio and sign up.
- Verify your email from the link Twilio sends.
- Verify your own mobile number with the code Twilio texts you.
- On the console home page, note your Account SID and Auth Token. You'll need them to connect apps like EpicTexting.
Prefer to watch? These two short videos show the whole Twilio sign-up:
Step 2: Search for a number
- In the Twilio Console, open Phone Numbers → Manage → Buy a number.
- Choose the country.
- Under capabilities, tick SMS (and MMS if you want to send pictures).
- Search by area code, city or digits you want in the number, and click Search.
Check the capability badges on each result. Some numbers are voice-only, so make sure SMS is listed.
Step 3: Buy it
Click Buy next to the number you like and confirm. The monthly fee is charged from your Twilio balance. In some countries, including the UK, Australia and Germany, Twilio asks for a business address or ID documents (a “regulatory bundle”) before the number is yours. The console walks you through it.
Step 4: Register it so texts get delivered
In the US, carriers only deliver business texts from local numbers that are registered for A2P 10DLC. In the console, go to the messaging compliance section and:
- Register your brand: your business name, tax ID (EIN) and website. Sole proprietors have a simpler path.
- Register a campaign that describes what you send, such as appointment reminders or marketing, with sample messages and how people opt in.
- Add your new number to the campaign's messaging service.
Approval usually takes a few days, and there are small one-time and monthly carrier fees. Toll-free numbers go through toll-free verification instead. Until then, US carriers may block your texts with error 30034.
Trial account limits
- You can only text numbers you have verified in the console (error 21608 otherwise).
- Messages start with a short note that they were sent from a Twilio trial account.
- Trial credit runs out. Upgrading your account removes both limits.
Already have a business number?
You don't always need a new one. Twilio can port many US and Canadian numbers in, or host SMS on a number that stays with your current phone provider, so customers keep texting the number they know. Start from Phone Numbers in the console.
Want to compare running costs first? Use the Twilio SMS pricing calculator.
Start texting from your new number
Twilio gives you the number, but no screen to text from. EpicTexting adds one. Connect your Account SID and Auth Token once, then text from the web dashboard, from a Google Sheet, or by asking ChatGPT or Claude. It's free for 100 texts a month.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Twilio phone number cost?
A US or Canadian local number is $1.15 a month and a toll-free number is $2.15 a month. A UK mobile number is $2.50, an Australian mobile $8.25 and a German mobile $30 a month. Texts are billed separately.
Can I get a free Twilio phone number?
New accounts get trial credit, which covers a trial number while you test. On a trial you can only text numbers you've verified, and messages include a trial notice.
Can I choose my area code?
Yes. Search by area code, city or digits the number should contain. Availability varies, so try nearby area codes if yours is sold out.
Local, toll-free or short code: which should I pick?
For most small businesses a local number is the cheapest and most familiar. Toll-free numbers suit national brands. Short codes are for very high volume and cost $1,000 or more a quarter.
Why are my texts to US numbers blocked?
US carriers block texts from unregistered local numbers (Twilio error 30034). Register your brand and campaign for A2P 10DLC, or verify your toll-free number.
Can I use my existing business number with Twilio?
Often yes. Twilio supports porting many US and Canadian numbers, and hosting SMS on a number that stays with your current voice provider.