How to Call an Extension Number: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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1Using a Smart Phone

2Using a Landline

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Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 28, 2024Fact Checked

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Do you need to reach someone by dialing an extension? Extensions allow companies to route callers to various departments through a single phone number. Dialing an extension is simple—just call the phone number, and enter the extension when prompted. If you're feeling overwhelmed or not sure when to enter the extension, we're here to help! This tutorial will show you how to dial someone's direct extension from your landline or cell phone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Smart Phone

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  1. 1

    Dial the number that you want to call. Open the dialer app and enter the number that you want to call.[1]

  2. 2

    Add a "pause" if you'll be entering the extension as soon as the line picks up. If the number you are calling allows you to enter the extension immediately after picking up, the "pause" function will automatically enter the extension after waiting a moment:[2]

    • Press and hold the * button to add a comma (,) to the end of the number.[3] This symbol indicates a two-second pause before the extension will be dialed. If pressing and holding the * button does not work, tap the (⋮) button next to the number and select "Add pause." If that doesn't work either, tap the number field to open your on-screen keyboard, then type a comma.
    • You can add multiple commas to wait longer. This may be useful for phone systems that have a delay before you can enter the extension.
    • On Windows phones, you'll need to type the comma in another app, copy it, then paste it to the end of the number.

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  3. 3

    Add a "wait" if the extension can only be dialed after the whole menu plays. Some extensions cannot be entered until the entire automated menu service plays, or until a certain option is selected. The "wait" function will display the extension on your screen and you'll indicate when it should be entered.

    • Press and hold the # button to add a semicolon (;) to the end of the number. This symbol indicates a "wait," and the subsequent extension will not be dialed until you say so.
    • If you're using a Windows phone, you'll need to add a "w" instead of a ";". This will need to be copied and pasted from another app that allows you to type.
  4. 4

    Type the extension number after your symbol. After adding the wait or pause symbol, type the extension that you want your phone to automatically dial.[4]

  5. 5

    Call the number. Your phone will dial the number. After dialing the number, depending on the symbol you used, it will then either dial the extension you entered (,) or you'll be prompted to indicate when the extension should be dialed (;).[5]

    • If you chose the wait (;) option, you'll be able to navigate to the portion of the menu that allows you to enter the extension first. Once you're in the right part of the menu, tap "Send" in the window to dial the extension.
  6. 6

    Add numbers with extensions to your contacts. If you dial this extension a lot, you can add the number to your phone's contacts. All of the extension symbols and numbers will be saved along with it.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Landline

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  1. 1

    Dial the number as you normally would. You don't have any dial pausing options with a landline, so you'll just have to dial the number as you normally would.

  2. 2

    Try entering the extension as soon as the line picks up. For many menu systems, you can start entering the extension as soon as the call is picked up. Try entering your extension now to see if it dials.

  3. 3

    Listen to the menu options if your extension doesn't work. If you can't immediately dial the extension, listen to the menu options. You may have to pick an option to be allowed to enter an extension.

  4. 4

    Add a pause and the extension to your speed dial (if possible). Some phones that have a speed dial function will also have a Pause key that you can use when programming a speed dial number. The existence and location of this button varies from model to model. If you can add pauses, enter the base number, two pauses, and then the extension number. Save the entire thing to your speed dial entry. If the number you are calling supports entering the extension immediately, you'll be able to use this speed dial entry to call the extension directly.

  5. 5

    Try replacing the last digits of the base number with the extension. If the extension is a four-digit number, you may be able to dial it directly by replacing the last four digits of the base number with it. For example, if the company number is 1-800-555-2222, and the extension is 1234, try dialing 1-800-555-1234.

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    How can I dial a number with an extension from an Android phone?

    How to Call an Extension Number: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (16)

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    You'd do this in the same way as you would do with an iPhone -- just instead of adding a (,) it will add a (p), indicating a pause and for the Wait (;), it will add a (w).

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      • You can also dial extensions when using online call providers, like Skype. Call the company number. Click the dial pad icon, which is a square full of dots. Enter your extension number on the dial pad when prompted. [6]

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      About This Article

      How to Call an Extension Number: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (32)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 1,896,040 times.

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      Co-authors: 7

      Updated: March 28, 2024

      Views:1,896,040

      Categories: Telephone Numbers

      Article SummaryX

      To dial an extension number using a smart phone, start by dialing the number that you want to call. Then, press and hold the * button to insert a pause, and wait 2 seconds before dialing the extension. After entering your pause, type the extension number that you want your phone to automatically dial. Finally, tap the call icon to make your call. For tips on how to call an extension using a landline, read on!

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      How to Call an Extension Number: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

      FAQs

      How do I call directly to an extension number? ›

      After dialing the main number, press and hold * . A comma ( , ) is added to the number you are dialing. Enter the extension number, and then tap the call button. You will be connected to the mainline and then to the extension number.

      How do I phone an extension number? ›

      Extensions allow companies to route callers to various departments through a single phone number. Dialing an extension is simple—just call the phone number, and enter the extension when prompted. If you're feeling overwhelmed or not sure when to enter the extension, we're here to help!

      How do you dial an extension number example? ›

      All you need to do is add the extension number to the end of the phone number. For example, if the main business number is 555-1234 and the extension is 5678, you would dial 555-1234-5678.

      What is an example of a phone extension? ›

      What Is a Phone Extension? Put simply, a phone extension is a shorter telephone number that you can assign either to an individual, to a team, or to a department. For example, you may assign #001 to your sales and marketing team or #002 to the accounts department.

      How do I create a call extension? ›

      Select Call Extensions under Ads and extensions from the type list in the left pane. In the Edit the selected Call Extension pane, select the Country Region. Enter your Phone number. elect where you want to Show my Call Extension and select if you want to show a local or toll-free number.

      What is the number format extension? ›

      The NumberFormat extension allows to format numbers by grouping thousands and/or specifying the number of decimals to be shown. Additionally the number will be rounded if necessary. The symbols used as thousands separator and decimal point can optionally be specified.

      What is the extension to call a US number? ›

      To dial abroad to the US, you'd use the following international country code: +1.

      How many digits is an extension number? ›

      An extension is a three to six-digit number identifying a specific call path configuration that allows you to dial and connect to another caller internally.

      How to find phone extension number? ›

      Your main extension number (also known as Primary Directory Number) is assigned to the Line Key on your telephone and shows in the display.

      Do cell phones have extension numbers? ›

      Can cell phones have extensions? Yes, different services offer cell phone extensions. Just like landlines, cell phone extensions are also routed to other lines.

      How do I transfer a call to an extension number? ›

      Transferring calls from your desk phone
      1. Dial the. double hash. or. pound (##) key to place the caller on hold. ...
      2. Dial the extension number. The call will then be. blind transferred. to the other extension. The caller will remain on hold until the other extension picks up or until routed to the other extension's voice mailbox.
      Nov 22, 2022

      How to call anonymously? ›

      The easiest way to do this on any phone is by dialing a prefix (such as *67) before dialing the phone number in question. If you have a smartphone, you may have the option of making all of your outgoing calls anonymous from within the Settings app, though not all phones have this option.

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