What Is wa.me and How to Use It (WhatsApp Link Explained)
wa.me is WhatsApp's short click-to-chat link: here is how to build one, add a pre-filled message and fix the common mistakes.
Published October 28, 2026
wa.me is WhatsApp's short click-to-chat link. Open https://wa.me/<number> and WhatsApp starts a chat with that number, without you saving it as a contact.
What wa.me is
A wa.me link is a normal web address that opens WhatsApp. You can put it on a website, in an email, in a QR code or in a message. Whoever taps it lands in a chat with the number in the link.
It works for one number at a time. You do not need the person in your contacts first.
How to build a wa.me link
The format is https://wa.me/<number>. The number must be in full international format:
- Start with the country code.
- Add the rest of the number.
- Use digits only. No plus sign, no spaces, no dashes, no brackets, no leading zero.
For a UK number written as 07700 900123, the link is:
https://wa.me/447700900123
Here are the three mistakes people make most often:
| Wrong | Why it fails |
|---|---|
wa.me/+44 7700 900123 | Plus sign and spaces |
wa.me/07700 900123 | Leading zero and a space, no country code |
wa.me/(0300) 123-4567 | Brackets, zero and a dash |
Add a pre-filled message
Add ?text= after the number, then your message in URL-encoded form. Spaces become %20.
https://wa.me/447700900123?text=Hello%20there
WhatsApp opens the chat with "Hello there" already typed in the box. The person still has to tap Send. The link never sends anything by itself.
For a step-by-step version, see how to create a WhatsApp link with a pre-filled message.
What "wa me phone number" means
People search for "wa me phone number" when they want a link that points to their own number. That is the same format: put your number in international digits after wa.me/.
If your number is +44 7700 900123, your link is https://wa.me/447700900123. Share it on a business card, a bio or a website, and anyone who taps it can start a chat with you.
wa.me vs api.whatsapp.com
Both are click-to-chat links. https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=447700900123 uses the same digits as wa.me/447700900123. The wa.me version is the short form, so it is the one most people use.
Common errors
If you see "Phone number shared via url is invalid", the number is almost always formatted wrong. Check for a plus sign, spaces, dashes, brackets, a leading zero or a missing country code. The full fix is in Phone number shared via URL is invalid.
If you would rather not build links by hand
ClickPing does the formatting for you. Type, paste, share or scan a number, and ClickPing adds the country code when it is needed. It shows a preview, then opens WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business. Numbers you open are not saved to your contacts, and ClickPing keeps no list of them.
It works on Android and iPhone.
FAQ
Do I need to save the number first? No. A wa.me link opens a chat with the number directly.
Can I add a message to the link?
Yes. Add ?text= and your URL-encoded message. The person taps Send themselves.
Why does my link say the number is invalid? The number is usually not in full international format. Remove the plus sign, spaces, dashes and leading zero, and include the country code.
Related guides
- How to create a WhatsApp link with a pre-filled message
- How to send a WhatsApp message without saving the number on Android
- Phone number shared via URL is invalid
- Do you need the country code to message a new number?
Not affiliated with WhatsApp.