WhatsApp Message Links

A WhatsApp message link turns “message us on WhatsApp” into a single tap. No saving your number first. Here’s how to make one.

What a message link is

A message link (also called a click-to-chat link) is a web address that, when tapped, opens WhatsApp with a chat to your number already started.

It works everywhere a link works: websites, emails, social bios, ads, and QR codes. The customer doesn’t need to save your contact — they just tap and start typing.

Example: a customer taps “Chat with us” on your site, and WhatsApp opens straight to your number, ready to message.

Building the link

There are two official formats. Both need your full number with country code, and no +, spaces, or dashes.

Short format:

https://wa.me/91XXXXXXXXXX

Long format:

https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=91XXXXXXXXXX

For an Indian number, 91 is the country code, followed by the 10-digit mobile number. So +91 98765 43210 becomes 919876543210.

Common mistake: writing wa.me/+91 98765 43210 — the + and spaces break it. Use wa.me/919876543210.

Adding a pre-filled message

You can make the chat open with a message already typed (the customer still has to press send). Add a text parameter:

https://wa.me/91XXXXXXXXXX?text=Hi%2C%20I%20want%20to%20order

The message must be URL-encoded — spaces become %20 and commas become %2C. Most link tools do this for you.

In the long format it looks like:

https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=91XXXXXXXXXX&text=Hi%2C%20I%20want%20to%20order

Example: a pre-filled “Hi, I want to book a table” saves the customer typing and tells you why they’re messaging.

Create a QR code or wa.me link in WhatsApp Manager

You can also let Meta build the link and QR code for you, right inside WhatsApp Manager. Here’s the full flow:

1. Go to Meta Business Manager > WhatsApp Manager > Phone Numbers.
2. Select the phone number you want the QR code for.
3. Click Settings.
4. Click Message links.
5. Click Create message link.
6. In the Message field, type the pre-filled message customers will see ready to edit and send after they scan. If you leave it blank, scanning opens an empty, open-ended chat instead.
7. Click Save.
8. You’ll now see options to copy, download, edit, or delete your QR code or wa.me link.

Where to use QR codes

You can also turn any message link into a QR code with any QR generator. When someone scans it with their phone camera, it opens the same chat.

QR codes shine offline, where you can’t tap a link:

• On product packaging and labels.
• On posters, banners, and shop windows.
• On receipts, business cards, and table tents.

Example: a restaurant prints a “Scan to order on WhatsApp” QR on each table — guests scan, the chat opens with “I’d like to order”, and they’re talking to staff in seconds.

Always test the link and QR on a real phone and a desktop before printing, because a printed mistake is expensive to fix.