> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.limecall.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.limecall.com/virtual-numbers/buy-a-number.md).

# Buy a number

Choose and purchase a local or toll-free number.

Open **Phone Numbers → Buy a number**.

## Choose a country

Start with the country. Availability, price and regulatory requirements all differ by country, and some require documentation before a number can be issued — see [Addresses & verification](/virtual-numbers/address-and-verification.md).

## Local or toll-free

**Local numbers** carry an area code. They signal that you are nearby, which raises answer rates for consumer and trades businesses, and they are cheaper.

**Toll-free numbers** are free for the caller. They read as established and national, and are the convention for support lines in the US. They cost more, and in the US they have their own verification process before they can send messages.

## Check the capabilities

Each number lists what it can do — voice, SMS, MMS. **Not every number supports texting.**

If you intend to text from the number, confirm SMS is listed before buying. Adding it afterwards is not possible; you would need a different number.

## Search

Filter by area code to get a number in a specific city, or search for a pattern if you want something memorable. Memorable numbers matter for anything printed on a van or a billboard, and not at all for a number that only ever appears as a clickable link.

## Buy it

Select the number and confirm. It is attached to your account immediately and billed monthly from that date.

If the country requires an address or documents, you are taken to supply them. The number is reserved while approval is pending.

## Set it up

A new number does nothing useful until you configure it.

1. **Who answers your calls** — the destination. See [Call forwarding & routing](/virtual-numbers/call-forwarding-and-routing.md).
2. **Caller ID** — what recipients see when you call out. See [Caller ID](/virtual-numbers/caller-id.md).
3. **A label** — name it for what it does. "Google Ads — Leeds" is useful in six months; "Number 3" is not.
4. **Tracking source** — attributes calls to a campaign or channel in your reporting.

## Test it

Call it from your mobile. Confirm it rings the right destination, and that a record appears under **Calls**.

## Costs

Numbers carry a monthly rental, separate from call and message charges. Usage rates vary by destination country.

See [Usage & credits](/account/usage-and-credits.md).

## Releasing a number

You can release a number you no longer need, which stops the monthly charge.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Releasing is permanent. The number returns to the carrier's pool and you will almost certainly not get it back. Check it is not printed on anything or configured as a caller ID before releasing it.
{% endhint %}