Kønumre

Kønumre is a Danish term referring to the system of issuing sequential numbers to customers in order to organize service queues. The word kønumre combines kø, meaning queue or line, with numre, numbers. The purpose is to indicate a customer's place in line and to coordinate service delivery in a transparent, fair manner.

In practice, customers take a ticket from a dispenser or receive a digit via an app or at a service desk. The counter or a central display announces the next number, and, in many setups, the corresponding service desk is indicated. Some systems display an estimated waiting time, or the status of each queue (how many parties are ahead), and may notify customers by sound, screen, or mobile alert.

There are several variants: a single queue serving multiple counters versus separate queues for different services; numbers may reset daily or accumulate over a day; some environments allow customers to join a virtual queue from a distance or with a reservation. Physical tickets are common in traditional settings, while digital solutions are increasingly used to improve accessibility and reduce contact.

Kønumre are part of broader queue management practices aimed at reducing perceived wait times and improving flow, transparency, and fairness. They are akin to ticketing systems in many countries and are distinct from mathematical concepts such as prime or composite numbers.