# What is ANI (Automatic Number Identification)?

> ANI (Automatic Number Identification) is a telephony feature that identifies the originating/billing number of a caller and passes it to the receiving end. Originating in the North American PSTN, ANI is often used interchangeably with CLI, but they differ: ANI reflects the billing line and is harder to alter, while CLI (caller ID) is the display number the callee sees and can be spoofed. See /answers/what-is-cli and /answers/what-is-did.

- Canonical URL: https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-ani
- Language: en
- Last reviewed: 2026-07-22
- Publisher: BroadNet (https://www.broadnet.me)

## Related

- [All answers](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [Glossary](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [What is CLI (Calling Line Identification)?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-cli)
- [What is STIR/SHAKEN?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-stir-shaken)
- [What is a DID (Direct Inward Dialing) number?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-did)
- [How does programmable voice work?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/programmable-voice)
- [Voice](https://www.broadnet.me/products/voice)