# wa.me link (click-to-chat)

A wa.me link is WhatsApp's official click-to-chat URL. Opening it starts a conversation with a specific number, without the visitor saving the contact first.

Source: https://getkanal.com/whatsapp-marketing-glossary/wa-me-link  
Last updated: 2026-10-08

The format is https://wa.me/ followed by the phone number in international format, without the plus sign, zeros, or dashes. An optional text parameter pre-fills the first message, for example wa.me/33612345678?text=Hi.

The pre-filled text does two jobs: it lowers the effort of starting the chat to a single tap, and it carries context, so the team knows which page, product, or campaign the conversation came from.

wa.me links go anywhere a URL goes: website buttons, email signatures, social bios, invoices, and packaging via QR codes. Each click that turns into a message opens a customer-initiated conversation, with the 24-hour service window that comes with it.

## Go deeper: articles

- [WhatsApp Click-to-Chat Links: Generate, Track & Convert (2026)](https://getkanal.com/blog/whatsapp-click-to-chat-link): Create WhatsApp click-to-chat links that turn Shopify visitors into customers: link generator, URL syntax, tracking and Click to WhatsApp Ads comparison.
- [Send a WhatsApp Without Saving the Number: 5 Ways (2026)](https://getkanal.com/blog/send-whatsapp-without-saving-contact): Send a WhatsApp message without saving the number: type wa.me/ plus the full international number in your browser. Five methods for iPhone, Android and desktop.
- [WhatsApp QR Code 2026: Complete Guide + Free Generator](https://getkanal.com/blog/whatsapp-qr-code-guide): Generate WhatsApp QR codes that open a pre-filled chat with your Shopify store: use cases, design tips, tracking and the best placements to convert.

## Related terms

- [WhatsApp QR code](https://getkanal.com/whatsapp-marketing-glossary/whatsapp-qr-code)
- [WhatsApp widget](https://getkanal.com/whatsapp-marketing-glossary/whatsapp-widget)
- [Click-to-WhatsApp ads](https://getkanal.com/whatsapp-marketing-glossary/click-to-whatsapp-ads)