What is a WhatsApp link?
A WhatsApp link, also called a click to chat link, is a web address that opens a chat in WhatsApp. When someone taps it on their phone, WhatsApp opens with your number ready. On a computer, the link opens WhatsApp Web or the desktop app. The person does not need to save your number first, which is why businesses put the link on websites, social media profiles, emails and printed material.
Step 1: Write the number in the right format
The link needs the full international number with digits only. Start from the number as you would dial it from abroad, then remove the plus sign and anything that is not a digit.
- Take the local number, for example 050 123 4567 in the United Arab Emirates.
- Remove the zero at the start, which is only used for calls inside the country: 50 123 4567.
- Add the country code in front, which is 971 for the UAE: 971 50 123 4567.
- Remove the spaces: 971501234567.
A few countries have extra rules for mobile numbers in international form. If a link does not open the chat that you expect, look at how the number appears in WhatsApp itself and copy that form.
Step 2: Build the link
https://wa.me/971501234567That is all that is needed for a plain link. To check the format, use the wa.me link checker, or let the WhatsApp link generator write it for you.
Step 3: Add a message (optional)
Add ?text= and the message to the end of the link. The message must be URL encoded: a space is %20, a line break is %0A and special characters are written as percent codes.
https://wa.me/971501234567?text=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20to%20order%20two%20items.If you leave the number out, https://wa.me/?text=... opens WhatsApp with the message ready and asks the person who they want to send it to. This is how share buttons work. The message link generator has templates and shows the encoded text.
Step 4: Share it
- As a text link or button on a website. Use
<a href="https://wa.me/971501234567" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chat on WhatsApp</a>, or make a floating button with the click to chat button generator. - As a QR code. A QR code of the link can be printed on shop windows, menus, flyers and business cards. People scan it with the phone camera.
- On social media. Put the link in your profile or in a post. Most platforms show it as plain text and some shorten it.
- In email signatures and messages. A short wa.me link is easy to read and to type.
Link formats
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| https://wa.me/NUMBER | The standard, short link. |
| https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=NUMBER | The older form, which still works. The message is added with &text=. |
| whatsapp://send?phone=NUMBER | A link for the app only. It does not work on a device without the app. |
When a link does not work
- The app says the number is invalid. Look for a plus sign, a leading zero, spaces or a missing country code.
- The chat opens without the message. The text may not be encoded, so that an ampersand or a hash sign cut it off. Encode the message, or use a generator.
- The message shows odd codes such as %20. It was encoded twice. Encode it only once.
- The link opens a page but not the app on a computer. The person needs WhatsApp Web or the desktop app.
- WhatsApp offers to invite the person. The number does not have a WhatsApp account.
Privacy and good practice
- Anyone who sees the link can see the phone number. Use a business number on public pages, and expect some spam.
- Do not put secrets or personal data in the pre-filled message.
- Be ready to reply. A visible chat button sets the expectation that someone will answer.
- WhatsApp Business has tools of its own for business profiles, short links and catalogs. A link made here works with both the normal and the business app.
Group links are different
A link that starts with chat.whatsapp.com invites people to a group. It is made in the group info screen by a group admin and cannot be made from a phone number.
Make your link now. Enter a number and get a wa.me link and a QR code.