# What is a short code? A short code is a short mobile number, usually 5 or 6 digits, which is used as a destination address for two-way messaging. Short codes are only active on a national level, that means only end users who have a phone number of the country in which the short code is issued are able to successfully text this number. The capacities of short codes differentiate from [country to country](/connectivity-platform/country-restrictions-and-regulations/sender-id-availability-and-restrictions-per-country.md). There are two types of Short Codes: 1. A unique Short Code. 2. A shared MessageBird Short Code. We currently offer a standard shared short code option directly available to users in the UK and Netherlands, where keywords are the unique recognition points used to differentiate traffic. If you would like to set up a keyword on a shared short code or get your own short code, please send us an email to with your requirements and we'll be happy to help you! --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/short-codes-keywords-sub-keywords/what-is-a-short-code.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.