A “click-to-chat” link (usually a wa.me link) opens a WhatsApp conversation with a specific number the moment someone taps it, even if they have never saved that number. It is the simplest, most reliable way to turn a website button, an Instagram bio or an email signature into a WhatsApp chat, and it works without any API, app or sign-up. This guide explains exactly how the format works, with copy-and-paste examples, and you can build one in seconds with our free WhatsApp Link Generator.
What is a wa.me link?
wa.me is WhatsApp’s official short domain for click-to-chat links. When a user opens a wa.me URL, WhatsApp launches, the mobile app on a phone, or WhatsApp Web/Desktop on a computer, and opens a chat with the number in the link. Because the number is passed in the link itself, the recipient does not need to be in the user’s contacts, and the user does not need to type anything.
There are two official addresses that do the same thing: https://wa.me/ and https://api.whatsapp.com/send. wa.me is shorter and nicer to share; both are provided by WhatsApp and behave identically. Our comparison of wa.me and api.whatsapp.com explains how the two relate and when the long form is still worth using.
The link format, explained
The basic form is simply the domain followed by the phone number in full international format:
https://wa.me/15551234567
The single most common mistake is the number format. The number must be digits only, in full international format: country code first, then the number, with no plus sign, no leading zeros, and no spaces, dashes or brackets. For example, a UK number written locally as 07911 123456 becomes 447911123456 in a wa.me link.
Adding a pre-filled message
You can pre-fill the first message the user will send by adding a ?text= parameter. The message text must be URL-encoded (spaces become %20, line breaks become %0A, and so on):
https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hi%2C%20I%27d%20like%20to%20know%20more%20about%20your%20services
The message is only pre-typed in the user’s input box (nothing is sent until they press send) so the person always stays in control. This is perfect for support (“Hi, I need help with order #…”), bookings, or a campaign call-to-action.
A link with no number (let the user pick the contact)
If you leave out the number, WhatsApp opens a contact picker so the user can choose who to send your pre-filled text to. This is the mechanism behind “share on WhatsApp” buttons:
https://wa.me/?text=Check%20this%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com
If you want a polished, shareable card rather than a bare link, with a title, thumbnail and a ready-made “Share on WhatsApp” button for a website or email, use our WhatsApp Share Widget, which generates the HTML for you. To put a click-to-chat link behind a button on your own site, see how to add a WhatsApp button to your website.
How to create your link (three ways)
- Use a generator (easiest). Enter the number and an optional message in the WhatsApp Link Generator; it handles the international format and URL-encoding for you. The companion WhatsApp QR Generator turns the same message into a downloadable QR code.
- Write it by hand. Take https://wa.me/, add the number in international format, and (if you want a pre-filled message) add ?text= followed by your URL-encoded message.
- Make a QR code. Use the free WhatsApp QR Generator to turn the same message into a downloadable PNG, JPG or SVG code for posters, packaging, business cards or event signage.
Where to use click-to-WhatsApp links
- Website “Chat with us” buttons, a floating button or a link on your contact page.
- Instagram, TikTok and X bios, where clickable links shine and a pre-filled message sets the context.
- Email signatures and newsletters, so replies land in WhatsApp instead of an inbox.
- Ads and “Click to WhatsApp” campaigns, where the pre-filled message qualifies the lead.
- [QR codes](/whatsapp-qr-generator) on print, packaging or at events, bridging the offline world to a chat.
- Support and bookings, with a pre-filled reference so you know why someone is writing.
Good to know and common pitfalls
- Format the number correctly. No “+”, no leading zero, digits only. This is the number-one reason a link “doesn’t work”.
- Encode the message. Un-encoded spaces and punctuation can break the ?text= value. A generator does this for you.
- wa.me is for one-to-one chats. It opens a conversation; it does not send messages automatically or in bulk. To message many opted-in contacts at scale, use the official WhatsApp Business API; if the official API isn’t open to you, see our automation guide.
- It’s free and needs no API. Anyone can use click-to-chat links, no Business account, no approval, no code.
Once people are chatting with you, a natural next step for outreach is asking them to save your number so you can reach them later with Broadcast Lists.
Frequently asked questions
Does the person need to have my number saved?
No. That is the whole point of a click-to-chat link, it opens a conversation with your number even if the user has never saved it. They can then choose to save you.
Is wa.me official and free?
Yes. wa.me is WhatsApp’s own short domain for click-to-chat links (api.whatsapp.com/send is the longer equivalent). It is free, needs no API or sign-up, and works on both a personal WhatsApp and a WhatsApp Business account.
Can I pre-fill the message?
Yes, add ?text= followed by your URL-encoded message. The text appears typed in the user’s message box, but nothing sends until they press send. Our Link Generator encodes it for you automatically.