MCC / MNC
Mobile Country Code and Mobile Network Code identify the country and network used for routing and analytics.
Free HLR query · Live status signals · No SMS sent
HLR Lookup
Run a real-time HLR lookup to check whether a mobile number is active, absent, or disconnected, identify the current carrier after porting, and flag roaming before SMS spend or fraud review.
Active / absent / disconnected
Current carrier after porting
Roaming signal
Run HLR Lookup
Use international format for the cleanest result.
Waiting for a number
Enter a number to preview HLR-style status, carrier, porting, and roaming fields.
Number status
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Current carrier
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Ported flag
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Roaming
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This free tool previews the workflow. Production HLR checks use carrier-backed lookup through the Carrier Lookup API.
What is HLR lookup?
What is HLR Lookup?
HLR means Home Location Register. In mobile networks, the HLR is the operator database that stores subscriber routing details, service availability, and network status. An HLR query asks the mobile network for live information about a number instead of relying only on a static prefix database.
A real HLR lookup can return whether the number appears active, absent, or disconnected, which network currently serves it after porting, whether the subscriber is roaming, and the MCC/MNC codes needed for routing and analytics.
Live status
Checks active, absent, or disconnected signals.
Current network
Finds the carrier after mobile number portability.
Routing context
Returns MCC/MNC and roaming signals when available.
Choose the right check
HLR Lookup vs Carrier Lookup vs Phone Validation
HLR lookup, carrier lookup, and phone validation overlap but each does a different job. Use HLR lookup for live network status.
| Check | HLR Lookup | Carrier Lookup | Phone Validation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data source | Real-time operator HLR query. | Carrier databases and enrichment data. See Carrier Lookup. | Format, numbering-plan, and validation rules. See Phone Validation. |
| Active / disconnected | Yes, when live network status is available. | Partial, depending on lookup depth. | No. It validates structure and likely deliverability, not live subscriber state. |
| True carrier after porting | Yes. HLR can identify the current serving network. | Often yes, but stale datasets can lag after porting. | No. Validation does not resolve post-port carrier ownership. |
| Speed and cost | Slower and more expensive because it reaches live network data. | Fast and mid-cost for enrichment and routing decisions. | Fast and low-cost for first-pass screening. |
Returned fields
HLR Returned Fields Explained
A production HLR query can return network fields that help teams route, suppress, segment, and review numbers.
Network status
Returns signals such as active, absent, unreachable, or disconnected, depending on operator support.
Ported flag
Shows whether the number has moved from the original carrier to a different current network.
Roaming
Indicates whether the subscriber is outside the home network when the operator returns that signal.
Original network
The network inferred from the original number range or assignment.
Current network
The serving carrier used for delivery and routing decisions after portability checks.
Use cases
When to Use HLR Lookup
HLR lookup is most useful when knowing the live subscriber or network state changes what you send, block, route, or review.
SMS list cleaning
Suppress disconnected or absent numbers before a campaign spends budget.
Fraud prevention
Use live carrier and roaming signals during signup, KYC, and account recovery.
Dead-number cleanup
Find old CRM records that no longer have reachable mobile numbers.
Porting detection
Detect current carrier after MNP so routing and segmentation do not rely on stale prefixes.
HLR Lookup API
Add Live HLR Data to Your Workflow
Use the Carrier Lookup API for bulk HLR queries, live status checks, MNP-aware current carrier detection, and export-ready phone intelligence.
FAQ
HLR Lookup FAQ
Quick answers about HLR query data, accuracy, cost, and API access.
What is HLR lookup?
HLR lookup is a mobile network query against the Home Location Register. It can return live status, current carrier, ported state, roaming, MCC/MNC, and routing information.
Is HLR lookup free?
This page offers a free single-number HLR lookup workflow preview. Production HLR lookup uses live carrier data, so bulk checks and API usage are paid.
HLR lookup vs carrier lookup: what is the difference?
HLR lookup is the live network query layer. Carrier lookup is broader and may combine carrier databases, portability data, line type intelligence, country detection, and HLR signals.
How accurate is HLR lookup?
Accuracy depends on country coverage, operator support, routing partners, and the freshness of live network responses. It is usually stronger than static carrier databases for active status and post-port carrier detection.
Is there an HLR lookup API?
Yes. Use the Carrier Lookup API for HLR lookup API workflows, including live number status, MNP-aware current carrier detection, roaming signals, and bulk CSV enrichment.