What is 411?

411 is a term for ‘information’ in North America. It is the telephone number for directory assistance in many countries, including the US and Canada. It is an easy and convenient way for people to get access to standard information from a reliable source.

History of the 411

In the pre-telecommunications days, North American telephone companies used a 5-digit system of numbers for all telephone calls, known as ‘area codes’. The first three numbers of a telephone number, 1-4-1, were assigned as the directory assistance number in many parts of North America. When telephone service was digitized, the term 411 became synonymous with directory assistance.

How to Use 411

Using 411 is simple. All you need to do is dial the 1-4-1 number and the operator will assist you in finding the information you are looking for. You usually need to specify the state and city you want to search in order to get the most accurate results. Some companies offer national 411 services, with operators who are familiar with cities across the US and Canada.

Depending on which company the operator works for, you can get a range of services, such as obtaining addresses, phone numbers of businesses and individuals, local movie times, and even directions to where you need to go. Directory assistance can also be used to place a phone call itself. Once you provide the operator with the details of who you want to speak to, they will place the call directly, free of charge.

When having difficulty finding a certain person’s phone number, directory assistance can be a fast and reliable source of information. In most places, the service is free of charge, although some companies do charge a fee, usually around a dollar or two. It is important to remember, though, that the accuracy of the information obtained through 411 depends on how precise the original query was formulated.