---
"@context": https://schema.org
"@type": TechArticle
"@id": https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-virtual-phone-number#article
headline: What is a Virtual Phone Number?
description: A virtual phone number is a standard telephone number that is not locked down to a specific phone. A virtual number can route a voice call or text message to any phone or workflow. With virtual numbers powered by an API, complex software workflows can be built that are triggered by calls and texts.
url: https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-virtual-phone-number
inLanguage: en
dateModified: 2025-09-25T15:07:37.000Z
author:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio Developer Education Team
publisher:
  "@type": Organization
  name: Twilio
---

# What is a Virtual Phone Number?

A *virtual phone number* is a standard [telephone number](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/phone-numbers) that is not locked down to a specific phone. A virtual number can route a voice call or text message to any phone or workflow. With virtual numbers powered by an API, complex software workflows can be built that are triggered by calls and texts.

## Virtual Phone Numbers and the Twilio API

With Twilio, you can get instant access to [local, national, mobile, and toll-free](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/phone-numbers) virtual numbers in 50+ countries. You can programmatically [search for available phone numbers via API](/docs/phone-numbers/api/availablephonenumber-resource) and [purchase numbers via the same API](/docs/phone-numbers/api/incomingphonenumber-resource). Or, [log in to find and purchase phone numbers](https://www.twilio.com/console/phone-numbers) via the Twilio Console.

Below are just a few of the ways virtual numbers can be used.

### International Local Presence

Using a local number allows foreign business to have a local presence in multiple countries.

Due to the high cost of international long distance, customers are *far* more likely to dial a local number. Similarly, individuals with friends and family in other countries can use a [TwimlBin](https://www.twilio.com/blog/introducing-native-twiml-bins-powered-by-the-twilio-cloud-html) to setup their virtual number with call forwarding. This allows their loved ones to call them on a local number.

### [Call tracking](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/use-cases/call-and-text-marketing/call-tracking)

Businesses use virtual phone numbers to track the effectiveness and conversion rates of marketing campaigns. By putting a unique phone number on each campaign (e.g. different search engine ads, billboards, or magazine ads) marketers can track which ad received the most calls.

### [Masked / Anonymous Calling](/docs/proxy)

Marketplaces and on-demand services can use virtual phone numbers to anonymize interactions. For example, [Lyft allows riders and drivers to call each other without revealing their personal phone numbers](https://customers.twilio.com/249/lyft/).

### [Direct Inward Dialing](/docs/glossary/what-direct-inward-dialing-did)

Businesses can give each employee their own phone number and route the call into their extension using Direct Inward Dialing (DID). DID allows callers to skip a queue or phone tree and ring directly through to the phone of the specific person they want to get in touch with.