Why the keys differ between lines
Each provider designs its own voice menu, so the key that skips a greeting on one line might replay it on another. We deliberately do not publish a key-by-key table, because providers change menus and a wrong digit costs you minutes. What every line shares is a recording that explains its commands, and almost every line has a key — commonly the star or pound key — that replays the instructions.
The core actions you will use
Whatever the digits, these are the actions the menu is built around:
- Next — skip the current greeting and hear the next one.
- Replay — hear the current greeting again.
- Send a message — record a private voice message for the caller whose greeting you just heard.
- Connect — request a live one-on-one connection with that caller; they must accept.
- Listen to my messages — hear replies other callers have left you.
- Re-record my greeting — change your introduction.
- Change region or category — widen the search or move to a different room.
- End connection — leave a live call and return to browsing.
- Help — replay the command list.
Learning a line's menu in one call
On your first call, let the welcome and instructions play through once without skipping — it costs a minute and saves several. Note the digits for next, message, connect and help. After that, skip the instructions on future calls. If you get lost, the help key brings the list back, and hanging up and redialling always returns you to a known starting point without losing your greeting or balance.
Habits that save minutes
Skip decisively — the first ten seconds of a greeting tell you what you need. Send a short message rather than waiting for a live connection to be accepted. Check your messages at the start of each call, since replies arrive between sessions. And end the call when you are finished browsing rather than letting the clock run while you decide.
Touch-tone versus voice prompts
A handful of lines accept spoken commands as well as keys, but keypad input is universal and more reliable in a noisy room. If your phone is not sending tones — some VoIP apps default to silent DTMF — check the app's settings for "DTMF" or "keypad tones" and switch them on. Our troubleshooting guide covers this in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a universal list of chat line keypad commands?
No. Each provider designs its own menu. Every line explains its commands on the recording and has a help key to replay them.
What if I press the wrong key?
Usually nothing serious — you might skip a greeting or open a menu. The help key brings the list back, and hanging up and redialling resets you.
My keypad presses are not registering. Why?
Most often the phone or app is not sending touch tones. Check for a DTMF or keypad-tones setting, or try a different phone.
Can I use a chat line from a landline?
Yes. Any touch-tone phone works. Rotary phones do not, since they cannot send the tones the menu needs.
Editorial disclosure: Chat Line Network operates its own family of chat lines (marked "Network Line") and lists well-known third-party lines for comparison. We never accept payment for rankings. Phone numbers, free-trial lengths and package prices are taken from each provider's published offer and re-checked periodically, but providers can change them at any time; the offer you hear on the recording when you call is always the final word. All lines are for adults 18+.