Most of us know to call 911 in an emergency, but it’s far from the only 3-digit number that can make life easier. Several easy-to-remember phone numbers connect you with important services, from finding community resources and mental health support to reporting non-emergency city issues or locating buried utility lines before you dig. Keeping these numbers handy can save time, reduce stress, and help you get connected to the right place more quickly.
The FCC currently maintains 3-digit Nationally Assigned Numbers to make it easier for consumers to reach critical services.
911
Call or text 911 to receive immediate help from police, fire, emergency medical services and other first responders for health and safety emergencies and threats to life and property.
988
People in crisis can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which offers support and access to resources from more than 200 nationwide centers. Operators are available to help callers with substance abuse, mental health, and suicide prevention issues.
211
Call 211 to access community services and resources to help you find essentials, such as food, shelter, clothing, education, transportation, and physical and mental health care services.
311
Call 311 to connect with your local government and request services or report non-emergency issues, such as bulk trash pick-up, abandoned cars, streetlight repairs, tree services, electrical outages, and other issues.
711
Call 711 to connect to your state’s TTY (text telephone) or Speech-to-Speech relay services if you have hearing or speech disabilities.
811
Call to identify and mark buried utility lines, including electricity, cable, and water, before digging on property you own or manage. Local laws often require calling 811 before digging.
411, 511, 611
411, 511, and 611 are also National Assigned Numbers, but access to those numbers may be limited and may include a fee, depending on your state and telephone company. Contact your telephone company for more information.
You don’t need to memorize every phone number in your contacts list, but these few three-digit numbers are worth knowing. Whether you’re facing an emergency, looking for community resources, planning a home project, or simply trying to find the right place to ask for help, these services can point you in the right direction. Consider saving this list somewhere easy to find, or better yet, share it with family, friends, or neighbors. You never know when one of these simple numbers might make a difficult situation a little easier.
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