Philippine Mobile Number Prefixes: Find the Network

A Philippine mobile prefix is the first four digits of a mobile number — such as 0917, 0956, or 0963 — and it usually identifies the original or commonly assigned network family behind that number. In most cases, the prefix points to Globe, Smart, DITO, GOMO, or the legacy Sun Cellular range. However, Mobile Number Portability and account-type differences mean the prefix alone may not prove the current live carrier or whether a number is prepaid. The lookup below accepts a prefix like 0917, a full number like 09171234567, or an international format like +639171234567.

How Philippine Mobile Prefixes Work

A Philippine mobile number in domestic format uses 11 digits starting with 0: 0917 123 4567. The first four digits, including the leading zero — 0917 — form the prefix. In international format, the leading 0 is replaced with the country code +63, so the same number becomes +63 917 123 4567. Do not write +63 0917; the zero is dropped.

Four distinct properties sit behind every prefix:

• Original assignment: The operator or brand historically associated with that number range.
• Network family: The broad operator group — Globe family (including Globe and TM), Smart family (including Smart and TNT), DITO, GOMO, or legacy Sun.
• Current live carrier: The carrier actually serving the number right now. This may differ from the original assignment after a subscriber switches networks.
• Account and product eligibility: Whether the number is prepaid, postpaid, corporate, broadband, or GOMO-specific, which determines which reload products apply.

A single four-digit prefix can reliably suggest the original network family, but it cannot always confirm all four properties on its own.

Most Searched Philippine Mobile Prefixes

The table below covers the prefixes Filipinos search most often when trying to identify a mobile network.

Can You Send Prepaid Load Based on the Prefix?

A prefix identifies the likely original network family, but it is not enough to guarantee a successful prepaid load transfer. The practical step is to enter the complete destination mobile number. PinoyLoads, operating continuously since 2013, automatically detects the supported carrier from the full number and displays compatible prepaid products. The sender sees the destination number, the selected amount or package, and the total price in USD before confirming. No registration, KYC, or sign-up is required. Payment is available through PayPal and credit or debit card options shown at checkout. Delivery is normally within a few minutes.

PinoyLoads supports prepaid reload products — it is not a postpaid bill-payment service.

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Answers to Popular Philippine Prefix Questions

0917: Globe's Best-Known Mobile Prefix

0917 is the most widely recognized Globe prefix in the Philippines. It has been assigned to the Globe family for years and covers both prepaid and postpaid accounts. The prefix alone cannot confirm whether a specific 0917 number is Globe Prepaid, TM, or a postpaid line. In international format, 0917 becomes +63 917. For prepaid loading, use the full number so the carrier and compatible product can be confirmed — supported Globe prepaid products are shown once the complete number is entered.

Is 0956 Globe or TM?

0956 belongs to the Globe family. The prefix alone does not reveal whether the number uses a Globe Prepaid or TM retail brand, and it may also be a postpaid account. Enter the complete destination number to determine the exact carrier and compatible load product.

0962 and 0963 Belong to the Smart Family

Both 0962 and 0963 are Smart-family prefixes in current routing. They may be associated with Smart, TNT, or a postpaid account depending on the specific number. These are not GOMO prefixes. Supported Smart prepaid products appear after the full number is entered.

0945 and 0953: Globe-Family Prefixes

0945 and 0953 are both Globe-family prefixes. As with other Globe ranges, the exact retail sub-brand — Globe Prepaid, TM, or postpaid — cannot be determined from the four-digit prefix alone.

0951, 0961, 0968, 0970, and 0985: Smart-Family Group

These five prefixes are all classified in the Smart family. Each may serve Smart, TNT, or postpaid accounts depending on the complete number. For prepaid loading, enter the full number to see compatible products rather than choosing a product based on the prefix alone.

0966 and 0967: Globe-Family Prefixes

0966 and 0967 belong to the Globe family. The prefix does not distinguish between Globe Prepaid, TM, or postpaid accounts — the full number is needed for that.

0995 and 0997: Globe-Family Prefixes

0995 and 0997 are Globe-family prefixes. 0995 in particular sees high search volume from users confirming the network before sending load.

0976 Is GOMO, Not Ordinary Globe Prepaid

0976 is the GOMO prefix. GOMO operates on Globe infrastructure but functions as a separate digital brand with its own product catalog. Ordinary Globe regular load or TM promos should not be sent to a 0976 number — GOMO-specific products are required. Supported GOMO products are shown when the full 0976 number is entered.

DITO Prefixes: 0895–0898 and 0991–0994

DITO Telecommunity's established original allocations include two main prefix blocks: 0895, 0896, 0897, 0898 and 0991, 0992, 0993, 0994. The 089X numbers are DITO original assignments and should not be confused with the legacy 081X postpaid/corporate ranges used by Smart and Globe. Supported DITO prepaid products are shown after entering the complete number.

Special Cases: 0924, 0952, and 0972–0974

These prefixes carry historical complexity:

• 0924 has a legacy Sun Cellular and Smart association, but DITO has also issued 0924 numbers, including eSIMs. PinoyLoads currently routes 0924 in its DITO product family. Enter the complete number rather than choosing a product from the prefix alone.
• 0952 has conflicting public classifications — various directories label it Smart/Sun, Globe, or DITO. The complete destination number is the reliable way to determine support.
• 0972 is currently recognized in the Globe-family route, although older public prefix lists may classify it differently. 0973 and 0974 are legacy Extelcom ranges now recognized in the Globe-family route. The original Extelcom brand is no longer an ordinary consumer load option.

Complete Philippine Mobile Prefix Directory

The tables below list every recognized prefix range by network family.

Globe and TM Family Prefixes

Globe Telecom and its TM sub-brand share the Globe network family. A prefix in this range is commonly associated with Globe or TM, but the exact retail brand and whether the account is prepaid or postpaid depends on the specific number.

Smart and TNT Family Prefixes

Smart Communications and its TNT sub-brand share the Smart network family. A prefix in this range is commonly associated with Smart or TNT, though it may also be a postpaid or corporate line.

DITO and GOMO Prefixes

DITO Telecommunity is the Philippines' third major mobile operator. GOMO is a digital-only brand that runs on Globe infrastructure but requires its own product catalog.

Legacy, Reused, and Special Prefixes

Some prefixes carry historical baggage, disputed public classifications, or account-type restrictions that make them different from straightforward Globe or Smart ranges.

Why a Prefix May Not Match the Current Network

Philippine subscribers can retain their mobile number when switching to a different network. This process, governed by Mobile Number Portability (MNP), means a number that originally belonged to the Globe family could now be served by Smart or DITO — and the prefix would still show the old assignment. Internal porting within a network can also move a number between prepaid and postpaid without changing the prefix.

The prefix remains a strong clue to the original network family. For prepaid loading, the practical approach is straightforward: enter the complete destination number and let the platform confirm the current carrier and compatible products.

Globe or TM, Smart or TNT: Why the Prefix Cannot Always Tell the Brand

Globe Telecom operates two retail brands — Globe and TM — on the same network family. Smart Communications similarly runs Smart and TNT as retail brands within its family. A prefix like 0916 or 0935 is Globe-family, but it does not reveal whether the specific number uses a Globe Prepaid or TM identity. The same applies to Smart-family prefixes, where the number could be Smart or TNT.

For the subscriber, the distinction affects which promos and products are compatible. For a sender, the reliable step is to enter the full number — the carrier and compatible TNT products or TM products are confirmed at that point rather than guessed from the prefix.

How to Check a Philippine Number Before Loading

1. Identify the prefix. The first four digits — normally 09XX, or one of DITO's recognized 089X ranges — give the likely original network family. In international format, use the corresponding digits after +63.
2. Accept both formats. A number written as 0917 123 4567 or +63 917 123 4567 refers to the same subscriber. Both formats are accepted.
3. Enter the complete destination number. Rather than relying on the prefix alone, input the full 11-digit domestic number or the full international number.
4. Confirm the detected carrier and compatible product. The platform identifies the supported carrier and displays prepaid products that match the destination number.
5. Review before confirming. The destination number, selected amount or package, and total price in USD are shown during order review.

Conclusion

Philippine mobile prefixes work as three-layer identifiers. First, the four-digit prefix is a reliable clue to the original network family — Globe, Smart, DITO, GOMO, or legacy Sun. Second, the full destination number is needed to confirm the current carrier, especially after Mobile Number Portability. Third, account type — prepaid, postpaid, or corporate — determines which reload products apply and cannot be assumed from the prefix alone. Enter the complete number, confirm the carrier, and choose the compatible prepaid product.

Frequently Asked Questions