Unless it's a really small company the job has been graded, which means that they already know the title and level of the job and the salary range that has been

Unless it's a really small company the job has been graded, which means that they already know the title and level of the job and the salary range that has been approved. When they ask for the number I always respond by saying, "Please tell me the approved salary range for the position." If they won't tell you the salary range it's probably not a company worth working at.