WhatsApp Country Codes and Number Formatting
Nearly every chat link that fails to open fails for the same reason: the number was written the way it is dialled at home rather than the way the internet addresses it.
The one rule
Country code, then the local number, digits only, leading zero removed. No plus, no spaces, no dashes, no brackets. A UK number written 07700 900123 becomes 447700900123.
Country code table
| Country | Dial code | Example link |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | +212 | wa.me/212… |
| United States | +1 | wa.me/1… |
| United Kingdom | +44 | wa.me/44… |
| Canada | +1 | wa.me/1… |
| France | +33 | wa.me/33… |
| Spain | +34 | wa.me/34… |
| Portugal | +351 | wa.me/351… |
| Germany | +49 | wa.me/49… |
| Italy | +39 | wa.me/39… |
| Netherlands | +31 | wa.me/31… |
| Belgium | +32 | wa.me/32… |
| Switzerland | +41 | wa.me/41… |
| United Arab Emirates | +971 | wa.me/971… |
| Saudi Arabia | +966 | wa.me/966… |
| Qatar | +974 | wa.me/974… |
| Egypt | +20 | wa.me/20… |
| Algeria | +213 | wa.me/213… |
| Tunisia | +216 | wa.me/216… |
| Turkey | +90 | wa.me/90… |
| India | +91 | wa.me/91… |
| Pakistan | +92 | wa.me/92… |
| Indonesia | +62 | wa.me/62… |
| Malaysia | +60 | wa.me/60… |
| Nigeria | +234 | wa.me/234… |
| South Africa | +27 | wa.me/27… |
| Kenya | +254 | wa.me/254… |
| Brazil | +55 | wa.me/55… |
| Mexico | +52 | wa.me/52… |
| Argentina | +54 | wa.me/54… |
| Colombia | +57 | wa.me/57… |
| Chile | +56 | wa.me/56… |
| Australia | +61 | wa.me/61… |
Countries with exceptions
| Country | What to watch for |
|---|---|
| Mexico (+52) | Older mobile numbers need a 1 after the country code. |
| Argentina (+54) | Mobiles are commonly written with a 9 after the country code. |
| Italy (+39) | Keeps its leading zero on landlines — do not strip it. |
| US / Canada (+1) | Share a code; the area code carries the distinction. |
Checking a number before you send
Paste the digits into the link generator, pick the country, and it formats the URL for you. If the chat opens and the header shows the number, the format is right; if you land on an "invalid number" page, the country code or the leading zero is wrong.
On iPhone, Click to Chat keeps a country picker beside the keypad, so the prefix is never something you type.
Frequently asked questions
Do I drop the leading zero in a WhatsApp number?
Yes. The zero is a domestic trunk prefix. 06 12 34 56 78 in France becomes 33612345678 internationally.
Why does my Mexican or Argentinian number fail?
Both historically used an extra digit for mobiles — a 1 after 52 for Mexico, a 9 after 54 for Argentina. If the plain form fails, try adding it.
Do I include the + sign in a wa.me link?
No. Links take digits only; the plus is for display and for dialling from a phone keypad.
Which country code is 212?
212 is Morocco. It is also a New York area code, which is why context matters when someone gives you a bare number.
Click to Chat is an independent utility and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by WhatsApp LLC. WhatsApp is a trademark of its respective owner.