WhatsApp Number Format for wa.me Links: International Format and Country Codes

Short answer: for a WhatsApp link, write the number in full international format as digits only: country code, then the national number without its leading zero. No +, no 00, no spaces, dashes or brackets. A Portuguese mobile 912 345 678 becomes 351912345678, and the link is https://wa.me/351912345678.

The rule in four steps

1. Start from the number as people dial it locally, for example 07911 123456 (UK).
2. Remove spaces, dashes, brackets, a leading + and a leading 00.
3. Remove the national trunk zero at the start of the local number (the 0 in 07911…).
4. Add the country code in front: 44 + 7911123456 = 447911123456.

The result goes straight into the link: https://wa.me/447911123456. Our free generator does all four steps automatically.

Country code table

Always confirm the numbering plan of the country you are linking to; the table shows the common mobile pattern.

Special cases: Mexico and Argentina

• Mexico: WhatsApp identifies Mexican mobile numbers as 52 + 1 + the 10-digit number (13 digits, for example 5215512345678). A link written as 52 + 10 digits usually redirects to the right chat, but the 521 form is the safest for mobiles. Landlines use 52 + 10 digits.
• Argentina: for mobiles, drop the leading 0 of the area code and the 15 mobile prefix, and insert a 9 after the country code: 011 15 1234-5678 becomes 54 + 9 + 11 + 12345678 = 5491112345678.

These rules come from WhatsApp integrators' documentation rather than an official WhatsApp page, so always test one real link from each country before printing or publishing.

Common mistakes

• +351 912 345 678 pasted as-is. The plus and spaces must go.
• Keeping the trunk zero: 4407911123456 is wrong; use 447911123456.
• Forgetting the country code: 912345678 alone identifies no country, so the chat won't open.
• Mixing a landline: the number must be registered on WhatsApp.

Pre-filled message in the same link

Add ?text= followed by the URL-encoded message: https://wa.me/351912345678?text=Hello%21. See the custom message guide.

Many numbers at once

Converting hundreds of numbers by hand is slow. Paste or upload them into the bulk generator, which cleans each number, builds the wa.me link and a QR code, and flags invalid rows. If a link doesn't open, see WhatsApp link not working: 9 causes and fixes.

FAQ

Does wa.me accept the plus sign? The documented format uses digits only; leave the + out.

What about WhatsApp usernames? They are a separate, phased feature; see wa.me/username vs wa.me/phone.

Can I use the same link for any country? Yes. The country code inside the number routes it, so one format works worldwide.

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