In short: Open
https://wa.me/followed by the full phone number with its country code, and with no plus sign, spaces or dashes. For an Indian number, that looks likehttps://wa.me/919876543210. A chat opens, and you do not need to save the number. The person must have an active WhatsApp account. Our free tool builds this for you.
Saving a contact just to send one message fills your phone with numbers you will never use again. WhatsApp’s click to chat feature avoids this.
Way 1: Use a free tool
This is the quickest way, and you do not have to work out the format.
- Open the send without saving a number tool.
- Enter the number.
- Add a first message if you want.
- Open the chat.
It is free and needs no sign-up.
Way 2: Make a wa.me link yourself
Type this in your browser, on your phone or computer:
https://wa.me/919876543210
Replace the number with the one you want. WhatsApp says to use the full international format and to leave out any zeros, brackets or dashes.
| You have | Use in the link | Why |
|---|---|---|
| +91 98765 43210 | 919876543210 | Remove the plus sign and spaces |
| 098765 43210 | 919876543210 | Remove the leading zero and add the country code |
| (415) 555-0123, in the US | 14155550123 | Remove the brackets and dash, and add the country code |
Add a first message
Add ?text= and your message, with %20 in place of each space:
https://wa.me/919876543210?text=Hi%20I%20have%20a%20question
The message appears in the text box, ready for you to send. Other symbols also need encoding, so use our link generator for longer messages.
Way 3: Message yourself, then tap the number
This needs no website:
- Open a chat with yourself on WhatsApp.
- Paste the number and send it.
- Tap the number in the message.
- If WhatsApp offers to chat with that number, choose that option.
The menu wording can differ between phones. You can also use the same trick in any chat you already have open.
Why the link says the number is not on WhatsApp
Check these in order:
- Country code. Make sure the number starts with the right code, such as 91 for India.
- Extra characters. Remove any plus sign, spaces, brackets, dashes and leading zeros.
- Wrong digits. One wrong digit opens a different number or fails.
- No WhatsApp account. The link works only if the person has an active account.
Is it allowed?
Click to chat is WhatsApp’s own feature, so using it is fine. What matters is why you are messaging.
For a business, a saved contact is not the same as permission. The WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy says you may contact someone only if they gave you their number and agreed to hear from you. Do not use links like this to work through a list of numbers. If many people block or report you, your number can be limited. See how to send bulk messages and lower the risk of a ban.
How businesses can use wa.me links
Links work best when the customer starts the chat:
- Your website. Add a click to chat button.
- Printed materials. Make a QR code for shop counters, menus and packaging.
- Social profiles. Put the link in your bio.
- A first message. Pre-fill “Hi, I want to know about the Diwali offer”, so you know where the chat came from.
Frequently asked questions
Will the person see my number? Yes. They see your number as with any WhatsApp chat, and your name if your privacy settings allow it.
Do they need to save my number to reply? No. They can reply straight away.
Does it work on WhatsApp Web? Yes. WhatsApp says click to chat works on both your phone and WhatsApp Web.
Can I send a message without choosing a number?
Yes. Use https://wa.me/?text= with your message, and WhatsApp shows a list of contacts to send it to.
Does it work with WhatsApp Business? A wa.me link opens a chat with any active WhatsApp number, and that can be a business number.
Getting lots of chats from links and QR codes? See how Risponse helps a team share them, or try the free tools.