How to use the whatsapp link generator
- Enter the phone number with its country code. Spaces, dashes, dots, parentheses and a leading plus are removed for you.
- Optionally type the message you want filled in. Line breaks are kept.
- Check the link shown. It is built as you type.
- Copy the link, or open it in a new tab to test it.
A number and a short message
The number 15551234567 with the message Hi gives https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hi. The number +1 (555) 123-4567 gives the same digits.
A message with spaces and symbols is percent encoded: Hello there & bye? becomes Hello%20there%20%26%20bye%3F, and a line break becomes %0A, so the text arrives as you wrote it.
How the link is built
The link has the form https://wa.me/ followed by the full number in international format, using digits only with no plus sign, zeros or spaces in front, and then, if you want a prefilled message, ?text= followed by the message with unsafe characters percent encoded. The tool uses the browser's own encodeURIComponent, which writes UTF-8 percent codes, so accented letters and emoji are safe. The country code for the United States and Canada is 1.
The number must have 8 to 15 digits in all, and it cannot begin with 0, because a leading zero means a local dialing prefix and not a country code. A number starting 00 is also refused, with a message to remove it. Messages are limited to 1,000 characters so the link stays usable.
What this tool does not do
It only builds text. It makes no network request, does not check that the number has an account and cannot tell whether the link will open the app on every phone, browser or computer. This is a widely used link format, but it is not guaranteed, so test the link on the devices your visitors use before you publish it.
Be careful what you publish. A link with a personal number invites messages from anyone who sees it. For a printable code that opens the link, use the QR code generator, and to track clicks add campaign tags with the UTM link builder. See also the URL encoder and decoder and the phone number formatter.
Assumptions and limits
- The link format is https://wa.me/ followed by the number in digits, then an optional ?text= and the encoded message.
- Numbers need a country code and 8 to 15 digits, with no leading 0 or 00.
- Nothing is sent or looked up. The tool cannot tell if the number is on the service.
- Whether the link opens the app depends on the device and browser.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a WhatsApp link with a message?
Enter the number with its country code and type the message. The link is https://wa.me/ then the digits, then ?text= and the encoded message.
Why can't the number start with a 0 or plus sign?
The link wants the country code first, in digits only. A leading 0 is a local dialing prefix and a plus sign is not part of the format, so both are removed or refused.
Does the tool check that the number is on WhatsApp?
No. It only builds text and makes no network request, so it cannot know whether the number has an account.
Will the link open on every device?
Not necessarily. The format is widely used but not guaranteed, so test it on the phones and browsers you care about.