Free Tool
WhatsApp Link Generator (wa.me)
A WhatsApp link is https://wa.me/ plus the full phone number in international format, digits only. Add ?text= and a URL-encoded message to pre-fill the chat. This tool builds and encodes it for you.
Pick the country code, then type the number. Spaces, dashes and a leading 0 are cleaned up for you.
The visitor sees this text in their message box and can edit it before sending.
Your WhatsApp
online
wa.me link format, with examples
The number is the country code followed by the local number, with the leading 0 dropped. Open the generated link with the Test button before you publish it.
Correct
https://wa.me/971501234567
Country code 971, then the number without its leading 0.
Correct, with message
https://wa.me/971501234567?text=Hi%20there
?text= followed by the URL-encoded message. A space becomes %20.
Message only, no number
https://wa.me/?text=Hi%20there
The visitor picks who to send it to. Useful for share buttons.
Wrong: plus sign
https://wa.me/+971501234567
WhatsApp's guidance is to leave out the plus sign.
Wrong: local format
https://wa.me/0501234567
No country code, and a leading 0. WhatsApp cannot find the number.
Wrong: punctuation
https://wa.me/971-50-123-4567
Dashes, spaces and brackets must be removed.
Why a WhatsApp link does not work
WhatsApp says the number is invalid
Check for a leading 0 after the country code, a missing country code, or a repeated one (for example 971971...). Also confirm the number is registered on WhatsApp. This tool strips leading zeros and warns about numbers longer than 15 digits.
The pre-filled message is cut off
An unencoded & or # ends the text parameter early. This tool encodes every special character for you. If you edit the link by hand, encode the message first.
The message appears but line breaks are missing
Line breaks must be encoded as %0A. Press Enter in the message box above and the generated link will contain them.
The link opens a web page instead of the app
That is normal on desktop and for people without WhatsApp installed. They see a button to continue in WhatsApp Web or to download the app. Links opened inside another app's built-in browser may need one extra tap.
The whatsapp://send link does nothing
The whatsapp:// scheme only works where the app is installed and the browser allows app links. Use the wa.me link for anything public.
Where to use your WhatsApp link
Instagram bio
Paste it in Edit Profile, Links. Followers start a WhatsApp chat with one tap.
Website button
Add a "Chat on WhatsApp" button. It works on mobile and desktop. For a floating chat widget, see the WhatsApp website chat widget feature.
Email signature
Readers can message you without searching for your number.
QR code
Turn the link into a QR code for packaging, receipts, or in-store signs.
Tracking by placement
A wa.me link carries no analytics. Use a different pre-filled message for each ad, page or sign (for example "Hi, I saw your Instagram bio"), then count the chats that begin with each phrase.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WhatsApp link (wa.me link)?
What is the correct wa.me link format?
Should I use wa.me or whatsapp://send?phone?
Do I need WhatsApp Business to use this link?
Why add a pre-filled message?
Does this tool store my phone number or message?
How do I add the link to my Instagram bio?
How do I generate a WhatsApp group link?
Is this the same as the WhatsApp Business API?
Guides and related tools
Last verified: October 2, 2026. The link building and number cleanup described on this page match this tool's code. The wa.me format follows WhatsApp's Click to Chat guidance.
Want more than a link?
Answer the chats this link starts
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