What Is the USSD Codes To Check Glo Airtime Balance? *310# Guide for 2026
The fastest way to see how much airtime you have left is a short code: *310#. It works on every Nigerian network, including Glo, and it replies in seconds with your main balance. No app, no internet and no cost to you.
This guide explains the code, the older Glo alternative, other ways to check, what the numbers on the reply mean and what to do when the check fails.
The airtime balance codes at a glance
| Method | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| *310# | Dial and wait for the reply | The unified code that works across networks |
| *124# | Dial and wait for the reply | Glo’s original code; may still work on many lines |
| SMS | Text BAL to 124 | Reply arrives by message |
| Glo Café app | Open the home screen | Shows airtime, data and bonus together |
How to check airtime balance with *310#
| 1 | Open your phone dialler on the Glo line. |
| 2 | Type *310# and press call. |
| 3 | Wait a few seconds for the pop-up message. |
| 4 | Read your main airtime balance. Note it if you need to compare. |
The check does not use your data and does not charge you. If the screen shows nothing at first, wait a moment before pressing anything.
When to use the older code
If *310# returns an error on your line, try *124#. Some lines respond better to one than the other, and having both ready means you are never stuck. Whichever works, save it as a contact so you do not have to type it.
Reading the reply
The reply shows your main balance in naira. Bonus balances are usually listed separately or not at all, so a small main balance does not always mean you have no usable credit. Check the app to see main, bonus and data balances together.
Airtime balance and data purchases
Data bundles are paid from your main airtime. Before you buy, check that your balance covers the whole price. A bundle that costs ₦1,000 needs at least ₦1,000 in main airtime, not in bonus credit.
| What you want to buy | What you need |
|---|---|
| Daily bundle | Main airtime equal to the price |
| Monthly bundle | Main airtime equal to the price |
| Mega bundle | A larger main balance, often topped up first |
| Borrowed airtime repayment | Enough main airtime to cover the debt on the next recharge |
Fixing a failed balance check
- Check your signal. USSD needs a network connection.
- Restart your phone and try again.
- Make sure the Glo SIM is the one selected on a dual-SIM phone.
- Try *124# if *310# fails, or the other way round.
- Use the Glo Café app if codes keep failing.
- Try again later if the network is busy.
When the balance looks wrong
Look for subscriptions or services that renewed automatically, a data bundle purchase you forgot or a repayment for borrowed airtime.
Wait a few minutes, then check again. If the credit does not appear, keep the recharge proof and contact customer care.
Check that you loaded the card on the right line and that the PIN was accepted.
Habits that save airtime
- Check your balance before you buy a bundle, not after.
- Turn off auto-renewing subscriptions you do not use.
- Keep a small cushion above your usual purchase.
- Avoid tapping unknown codes or links that promise free credit.
Checking before and after a recharge
Check your balance just before you recharge and again right after. The difference tells you exactly what was credited. If you load a card worth ₦500 and the balance rises by less, something has been deducted, often a repayment for borrowed airtime. Knowing the number immediately gives you a clear case if you need to ask customer care for help.
Keep the card or payment proof until the credit has appeared and the balance check agrees with it.
A small habit pays off over a month. Many people only learn they were short when a purchase fails. Checking first means you can top up the difference in one go and buy the bundle you wanted without retrying.
Questions people ask
Yes. Checking your balance costs nothing.
Yes. USSD does not need a data connection.
No. Use *323# for data.
Only on the Glo SIM itself, or through your own account in the app.
Final word
Save *310#, remember *124# as a backup and check before you buy. A five-second glance at your balance prevents most failed purchases.