What does "10-4" mean?
Asked by: Lionel Stoltenberg DDS | Last update: May 13, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (32 votes)
"10-4" means "message received," "understood," or "okay," originating from the "10-codes" used in police, military, and CB radio communication for clear, concise messages. It's a simple acknowledgment that the speaker got the information and is acting on it, popularized by truckers and TV shows like Highway Patrol.
What does 10/4 actually mean?
When someone says "10-4" on a radio or during a conversation, they are essentially saying, "I understand" or "Message received." It is a way to quickly acknowledge that the information or instruction has been received and comprehended.
What does 10/5 stand for?
"10 5" usually means 10 to the power of 5 (10510 to the fifth power105), which is 100,000, calculated as 10 multiplied by itself 5 times (10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10), or simply a '1' followed by 5 zeros. Alternatively, in police ten-codes, 10-5 means "Relay," indicating a message should be forwarded.
What does 10/7 mean dead?
"10-7" typically means "Out of Service" (off duty, on break, or unavailable), but it's often used as a euphemism for deceased in law enforcement radio, signifying an officer is permanently "out of service," especially during a funeral ceremony where other units stop transmitting in tribute. While the standard code is "out of service," the meaning can shift contextually or by agency to mean "dead," though other specific codes (like "Signal 7" or "10-67") also exist for death.
What does 10-4 and 10 2 mean?
"10-2 10-4" is a sequence from police/radio 10-codes, meaning "Signal Good, Message Received (OK)", where 10-2 indicates clear reception and 10-4 means acknowledgement or understanding, often used in CB radio and law enforcement for brevity.
10 Codes
What does 10/8 stand for?
"10-8" (Ten-Eight) is a common police radio code meaning "In Service" or "Available for Assignment," indicating an officer is free and ready to respond to calls, essentially the opposite of 10-7 (Out of Service). While primarily used in emergency services, the codes aren't universal, but 10-8 consistently signals an officer's readiness for new tasks, helping dispatch manage resources efficiently, notes Performance Protocol.
What does 10 11 mean?
10-10A Off duty at home. 10-11 Identify this frequency. 10-12 Visitors are present (be discrete). 10-13 Advise weather and road conditions. 10-14 Citizen holding suspect.
What does 1010 mean for cops?
Police code 10-10 generally means an officer is "Out of Service, Subject to Call," indicating they are off duty or on a minor detail but can still be reached for urgent matters, though some jurisdictions use it for different situations like a "Fight in Progress" or simply "Negative," highlighting that meanings vary by agency.
What does 10 0 mean?
10-0 Use Caution. 10-1 Weak Signal. 10-2 Good Signal. 10-3 Stop Transmitting.
What does 10 1 and 10 2 mean?
"10 1 10 2" likely refers to powers of 10 (10110 to the first power101 and 10210 squared102) meaning 10 and 100, or potentially radio codes (10-1 for a break, 10-2 for good signal), or even a film/video bit depth (10-bit vs 12-bit color), but without context, it most commonly means 10110 to the first power101 (ten) and 10210 squared102 (one hundred) in math, or film set slang for bathroom breaks (10-1).
What is a 32 in police code?
Police code "32" varies by jurisdiction but most commonly means "Units Needed" or "Request for Backup/Assistance," signaling an officer needs help, but other meanings include a "Gun Involved" (as in a person with a gun) or even a section of a law like the UK's PACE Act. It's part of rapid radio communication, so always check local department lists for the precise meaning, as codes differ.
What does 1015 stand for?
The meaning of "1015" varies by context, commonly referring to a Cloudflare security error (1015: Access Denied), a police code for "subject in custody," or in numerology, as an "angel number" symbolizing new beginnings, potential, and change (from 1, 0, 5). It also has specific meanings in legal texts (e.g., defining subsidiaries in ADGM) or biblical contexts (Hebrew Strong's H1015).
What does 7 Adam 19 mean?
7 Adam 19 is their call sign. 7: unit 7 or 7ths division. Adam: officers go by Adam, in swat they are david. 19 is their shop number for if they go missing to locate them.
What does 42 mean in CB talk?
In CB (Citizens Band) radio slang, 42 (or "four-two") means "yes" with emphasis, indicating strong agreement or a definitive affirmative, evolving from the common "10-4" (message received/okay) to add more punch to a response, essentially meaning "hell yes" or "absolutely" to convey a stronger sentiment than just "roger that".
Why are cops called 12 in slang?
Police are called "12" due to a blend of law enforcement radio codes and pop culture, primarily from the police show Adam-12, where "Adam-12" referred to a patrol car, and a potential link to the "10-12" code meaning "visitors present" or "stand by," used as a discreet warning for police presence in communities, especially within hip-hop culture.
What does "rubber duck" mean in CB talk?
In CB talk, a "Rubber Duck" typically refers to the lead vehicle in a convoy or a rookie trucker still learning the slang and etiquette, though it's most famously the nickname of the main character in the trucker movie Convoy, a driver with a rubber duck hood ornament. It's also distinct from "rubber ducking" in tech (explaining problems to an object), which isn't CB slang.
What is code 99 police?
A police Code 99 usually means an officer is in immediate, severe danger and needs all available backup, signaling a critical "officer needs assistance" situation, though codes vary by agency and can also relate to traffic (reckless driving) or warrant processes in some areas. It's a high-priority, all-hands-on-deck call for emergencies like an ambush, violent encounter, or dangerous pursuit, requiring rapid deployment of resources.
What does 10.4 mean in slang?
"10-4" is a slang term from radio communication meaning "message received," "understood," or "okay," originating from police and trucker codes to confirm messages quickly, with "10" acting as a warm-up placeholder for early radios. It's used in professional settings like law enforcement and trucking but has also entered general conversation as a simple acknowledgment, like saying "Got it!".
What is a 95 in police code?
Police code "95" isn't universal, but often means a Routine Traffic Stop, especially in systems using 11-codes (like California's), while sometimes it can relate to a "Drug Check" or "Meal Break" if using 10-codes, highlighting that codes vary by agency.
What does 7 Adam 15 mean?
7 indicates the mid-wilshire division . A designates it as a 2-person patrol. 15 indicates which "beat" or patrol area they're working in, though there is apparently quite a bit of overlap in these patrol areas, so I think it is more likely used as a unit number.
What does the 10/20 mean?
"10-20" or "your 20" is a police and CB radio code for location, meaning "What is your location?" or "My location is..." used for quick, efficient communication about where someone or something is, derived from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Ten-Code system. It's used in law enforcement, trucking (thanks to the song "Convoy"), and general radio slang to ask for or give a position.
What is a 10-13 in cop code?
Police code 10-13 most commonly means "Weather and road conditions," but its meaning varies significantly by agency; in some places, like New York City, it means an "Officer in need of assistance" (a life-threatening emergency), while in other regions, it can mean a mental health crisis or requesting backup for adverse conditions, so context and location are crucial.
What does 1011 mean from God?
Key Takeaways. Angel number 1011 signifies personal growth, manifestation, and spiritual awakening. Combination of numbers 1 and 0 represents new beginnings, progress, and spiritual development. Embrace positive changes, trust your intuition, and take directed action towards your goals.
What is a 10-33 police code?
The police code 10-33 generally means "Emergency" or "Need Immediate Assistance," signaling officers to clear the airwaves for critical traffic, though specific meanings can vary slightly by agency, sometimes indicating "All Units Stand By" or "Emergency Traffic Only" for high-priority situations like officer in danger, pursuit, or major crime.
Is it legal to listen to a police scanner?
Are police scanners legal in California? Yes—California imposes no mobile ban. But Pen. Code § 636 criminalizes using a scanner to further wiretapping or crime.