How Do You Call a Number With an Extension?

A phone extension, or an extension number, is a 2 to 4-digit number assigned to certain departments, teams, or people within an organization. It ensures proper communication flow while communicating internally and efficiently routes a call to the correct phone while receiving external calls.

For example, let’s say you joined an educational institute, and someone calls you to book a class. However, you are new and do not know much. Then, you can just dial the 2-4 digit extension number and contact an experienced staff from the same institute and ask for their assistance.

For external calls, a main phone number connects callers to the system, and they can then enter an extension to reach their intended contact directly.

Simply dial the phone number and add a comma, followed by the extension number to call a number with an extension on your Android phone.
 

Step 1: Dial the business or main phone number
 

Step 2: Press the icon with three vertical dots on the left of your dialed number
 

Step 3: Tap the “Add 2-sec pause” to add a comma “,”
 

Step 4: Dial the extension number
 

Step 5: Press the call button
 

Note: While tapping the icon with three vertical dots, as mentioned in step 2, there is also the “Add wait” option. Pressing it inserts a semicolon “;”. Unlike a comma, which represents an automatic 2-second pause, a semicolon pauses indefinitely until you manually input the extension.

Enter the number, add a comma by holding the asterisk “*” button till it converts into a comma, then dial the extension number to contact a phone number with an extension on your iPhone.

Step 1: Press the main or business phone number
 

Step 2: Press and hold the asterisk “*” till it changes into a comma “,”
 

Step 3: Dial the extension number
 

Step 4: Press the call button
 

To call a phone number with an extension from a landline, simply enter the number followed by the extension.

Step 1: Dial the Main Number: Enter the main number as usual.

Step 2: Enter the Extension: When the line connects, enter the extension directly if prompted.

Step 3: Listen for Menu Options: If the extension doesn’t connect, listen to the menu instructions to identify and connect your desired extension.

Method 1: Dial the main number, and when a receptionist picks up the call, ask them to connect to the desired recipient or extension. For instance, “Can I have Harry at extension 456, please?”.

Method 2: If your landline offers the speed dial feature and you need to contact the user/department frequently, save the phone number with the pause and extension. Later, you can call the saved contact directly to reach your intended extension.

Method 3: Some phone systems allow you to replace the last digit of the main number with the extension number. For example, if a firm’s phone number is 123-456-789X and the extension is 888Y, you can try dialing 123-456-888Y.

To automate extension dialing, save the main number followed by the extension using special symbols like "pause" (,) or "wait" (;).

1. Add the main number first.
2. Insert a "pause" (,) to delay dialing for a few seconds or a "wait" (;) to prompt user confirmation before dialing the extension.
3. Add the extension number after the symbol. For example, +1234567890,123 or +1234567890;123. 

• Using Voice Commands and Digital Assistants

  Leverage tools like Google Assistant or Siri to automate dialing. Simply save the contact with the extension, and voice commands like "Call (Contact Name)" will handle the rest.

• Setting Up Speed Dials with Extensions

  Configure speed dial for contacts with extensions. Save the number in your phone with a "pause" or "wait," then assign it to a speed-dial slot for instant access.

• Using Third-Party Apps

  Use apps designed to manage complex dialing sequences. These apps store, organize, and automate extension dialing, ensuring efficiency and accuracy for frequent users.

Dialing a number with an extension saves money, offers a direct connection to your desired party, and boosts a company’s customer service.
 

1. Seamless Connection: You can directly reach your desired destination without the hassle of going through an automated voice menu system.
    
2. Cost Effective: As you can reach your intended receiver directly, it means less call waiting and duration, ultimately saving calling costs. Plus, an employee can call an extension directly within the same organization for free, cutting down office expenses and prompting team collaboration.
    
3. Enhances Customer Services: If a consumer ever has a problem, they can directly contact the support department and solve their issues efficiently.

Overall, calling a number with an extension is easy. If it's a smartphone, just enter the main phone number, then a comma (,), followed by the phone extension number. In an Android phone, the option for the comma pops out after pressing the three vertical dots right beside the dialed number, and in an iPhone, you must press and hold the asterisk (*) button. As for a landline, there is more than one option.

Moreover, a consumer benefits a lot from dialing a number with an extension. They can contact their desired recipient directly and save time and money while maintaining the flow of communication. And for an office, it primarily boosts team collaboration.

While phone number extensions are a popular solution for routing calls, businesses can achieve even greater efficiency with an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. With IVR, you can guide callers through automated menus without requiring them to memorize specific extensions. Sign Up on Calilio to get a business phone system with advanced IVR features.

A company can have as many phone extensions as they want, depending on their service provider.

Open the dial pad in your VoIP app and enter the phone number with the phone extension, and press the call button.

In most cases, your extension number is shown on your handset’s display. You can also check the company directory or contact the IT department. Furthermore, you can press the feature or info button to know your extension number, depending on the phone model.