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In the United States, several three-digit codes connect callers with specific services beyond emergency response. The FCC assigns six N-1-1 codes for nationwide use—211, 311, 511, 711, 811 and 911—while 411 and 611 are commonly used by carriers but are not permanently assigned nationwide by the FCC. What a service offers, and whether it is available or works the same way where you are, can depend on your locality, provider or phone service.
U.S. N-1-1 codes at a glance
| Code | What it generally does | Assignment or usage |
|---|---|---|
| 211 | Connects people with community information and referrals, such as help finding housing, food, transportation or health care resources. | FCC-assigned for nationwide use. |
| 311 | Connects people with local non-emergency government services; the menu and scope are local. | FCC-assigned for nationwide use. |
| 411 | Commonly used for directory assistance. | Common carrier usage; not permanently assigned nationwide by the FCC. |
| 511 | Provides traveler information, including traffic and transportation information. | FCC-assigned for nationwide use; specific offerings depend on the provider or jurisdiction. |
| 611 | Commonly used to contact a phone carrier for customer service or repair. | Common carrier usage; not permanently assigned nationwide by the FCC. |
| 711 | Provides access to Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). | FCC-assigned for nationwide use. |
| 811 | In the U.S., gives notice of planned excavation to help protect underground pipelines and utilities. | FCC-assigned for nationwide use; follow the appropriate local service’s instructions and requirements. |
| 911 | Connects callers with emergency police, fire or medical assistance. | FCC-assigned for nationwide use. |
The FCC’s nationwide assignments and the services callers commonly encounter are not quite the same thing. In its description of the codes, the FCC identifies 211, 311, 511, 711, 811 and 911 as assigned for nationwide use. It says 411 and 611 are not permanently assigned by the Commission, although carriers commonly use them for directory assistance and carrier customer service or repair.
What is 211 for?
211 is a community information and referral service. United Way 211 describes it as a free, confidential way to find local health and human services, including resources related to housing, food, transportation and health care. The service helps people locate resources; it is not itself a substitute for emergency or crisis response.
Availability and the resources listed depend on where you live. Use the United Way 211 local lookup to find information for your area.
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What does 311 do?
311 is generally used for non-emergency local government services. Depending on the community, a local 311 service may direct residents to government information or help them report or request attention for local issues. There is no single nationwide 311 menu described by the national assignment: check your city or local government’s 311 service for its actual scope and contact options.
Do not use 311 when someone faces immediate danger or needs urgent police, fire or medical assistance; use 911 for an emergency.
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What are 411 and 611 used for?
411: Directory assistance
411 is commonly used for directory assistance. That is common carrier practice, not a permanent nationwide FCC assignment, so the service you reach—or whether your carrier supports it—can depend on your phone service.
611: Carrier support or repair
611 is commonly used to reach a phone carrier’s customer service or repair support. It is not permanently assigned nationwide by the FCC, and availability can depend on the carrier and line type. Check your carrier’s support information if dialing 611 does not connect you to the right service.
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What is 511 used for?
511 provides traveler information, including traffic and transportation information. The precise information and services available vary by provider or jurisdiction. Check the relevant transportation service or local government for details in your area.
What is 711 used for?
711 is an access code for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), which enables communication through relay services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability. It is a relay access code, not a general-purpose information line. Service options and instructions may vary; consult the appropriate relay service if you need help using it.
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When should I call 811?
In the United States, 811 is the code for notifying the appropriate service about planned excavation so underground pipelines and utilities can be marked and protected. Contact the appropriate 811 service before digging, then follow its instructions and any local requirements. The national purpose of 811 does not establish every local step or replace local rules.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCode meanings can differ across national borders. For example, NANPA notes that 811 is used in Canada for non-urgent health teletriage; this guide describes U.S. usage.
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How 211, 988 and 911 differ
- Call 911 for an immediate life-threatening emergency or urgent police, fire or medical response. The National 911 Program identifies 911 as the number for reaching police, fire or emergency medical assistance. United Way 211 advises calling 911 first for a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Call or text 988, or use its chat service, for mental-health or emotional crisis support. 988 is the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a separate three-digit code—not an N-1-1 code.
- Contact 211 to look for community resources, including local services that may help with longer-term needs or treatment. It is a referral service, not a crisis-response line equivalent to 988.
Why the codes are not interchangeable
Each code has a different purpose: community referrals (211), local non-emergency government services (311), directory assistance (411), traveler information (511), carrier support (611), relay access (711), excavation notice (811) and emergency response (911). The FCC’s 2020 order, FCC 20-100, said repurposing or expanding other N-1-1 codes was not feasible and could confuse callers and delay crisis calls because the codes were already widely used. That discussion addressed a proposal related to a crisis hotline; the practical point for callers is to use the code meant for their need, rather than assume one can stand in for another.
Check the local service before relying on its menu
National code descriptions establish general purposes, not every locality’s hours, service menu or dialing behavior. For a specific answer, check the service responsible for the code: United Way’s local lookup for 211; your local government for 311; the relevant transportation provider or jurisdiction for 511; your carrier for 411 or 611; the appropriate relay service for 711; and the local 811 service for excavation instructions. For immediate danger, use 911.
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