WhatsApp link generator — wa.me chat links and QR codes

How to use the WhatsApp link generator

1. Enter WhatsApp number with country code, such as +91 98450 12345. Spaces, dashes and brackets are fine.
2. Optionally write a Pre-filled message, for example a question about opening hours or an order number.
3. Set Button text, which defaults to “Chat on WhatsApp”.
4. Leave QR code ticked to get a PNG and an SVG code, or untick it if you only need the link.
5. Copy the Link for social bios and ads, or the HTML anchor for your website.

What it does and when to use it

WhatsApp’s click-to-chat feature opens a conversation with any registered number through a https://wa.me/ address. That makes it easy to put a “Chat with us” button on a shop page, a link in an Instagram bio, or a QR code on a counter card or delivery box. A pre-filled message helps the customer start, and it tells you which link they used if each one carries different wording.

Not every customer uses WhatsApp, so offer a second route too: an SMS link, a click-to-call link or an email link.

How it works

The tool removes a leading + or 00, then strips every character that is not a digit. The message is percent-encoded with encodeURIComponent and line breaks become %0D%0A. The result is https://wa.me/<digits>?text=<message>, with the ?text= part left out when there is no message.

Two checks protect against common mistakes. A number with fewer than 7 digits is rejected. A number whose digits start with 0, which is usually a domestic format, still produces a link but shows a warning. The QR code holds the full link and uses medium error correction.

Worked examples

Shop enquiry (the preset). +91 98450 12345 with “Hello! I saw your shop online — are you open today?”:

https://wa.me/919845012345?text=Hello!%20I%20saw%20your%20shop%20online%20%E2%80%94%20are%20you%20open%20today%3F

The em dash becomes %E2%80%94 and the question mark %3F.

00 prefix, no message. 0044 7700 900123 becomes https://wa.me/447700900123.

Two-line message. +1 (415) 555-0199 with “Order #88: is it ready?” and “Thanks” on a second line:

https://wa.me/14155550199?text=Order%20%2388%3A%20is%20it%20ready%3F%0D%0AThanks

Domestic number. 098450 12345 gives https://wa.me/09845012345 plus the warning “WhatsApp needs the country code — a number starting with 0 is usually a local format.” Replace the 0 with +91 and the warning goes away.

Limits and tips

• The tool cannot check whether a number is registered on WhatsApp. Tap the link yourself before you share it.
• Long messages make dense QR codes. Keep the greeting to one short sentence if the code will be printed small.
• The SVG version stays sharp at any size, so use it for posters and packaging.
• Anyone who sees the link can read your number in it.