# What is a DID (Direct Inward Dialing) number?

> A DID (Direct Inward Dialing) number — also called a virtual or direct-dial number — is a phone number that routes inbound calls (and often SMS) straight to a specific endpoint such as an IVR, an agent, or an application, without a dedicated physical line per number. In programmable voice, DIDs are rented per number per month and provisioned in code to receive calls or two-way messages. See /answers/what-is-ivr and /products/voice.

- Canonical URL: https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-did
- 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 IVR (Interactive Voice Response)?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-ivr)
- [What is CLI (Calling Line Identification)?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-cli)
- [Short code vs long code — when to use each](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-short-code-vs-long-code)
- [How does programmable voice work?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/programmable-voice)
- [Voice](https://www.broadnet.me/products/voice)
- [Two-way SMS](https://www.broadnet.me/products/two-way-sms)