WhatsApp Broadcast List Limit (256 Contacts) and How to Go Beyond It
The WhatsApp broadcast list limit is 256 contacts per list in the WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps, and only contacts who saved your number receive the message. To broadcast to more people, businesses use the WhatsApp Business API, where limits are based on daily messaging tiers instead.
How WhatsApp broadcast lists work
- A broadcast list sends the same message to many contacts at once.
- Each recipient gets it as an individual chat. They don’t see each other, unlike a group.
- Replies come back to you privately.
- Only contacts who have saved your number in their address book receive it.
- Each list can contain up to 256 contacts.
How to create and find broadcast lists
Menu locations change between WhatsApp versions, but generally:
- Android: open WhatsApp, tap the three-dot menu, then New broadcast. Existing lists appear in your chats or under the broadcast lists menu.
- iPhone: open the Chats tab and look for Broadcast Lists (or the lists menu, in newer versions), then New List.
How to search a broadcast list: type the list name in the chat search bar. If you haven’t named it, it shows the recipients’ names, so search for a contact in the list.
How to know if a message is a broadcast
As a recipient, you usually can’t tell: a broadcast arrives like a normal one-to-one message. The sender sees a broadcast icon and per-recipient delivery details.
Why the 256 limit holds businesses back
- Large audiences need many lists managed by hand.
- Contacts who didn’t save your number never get the message.
- No proper analytics, segmentation or scheduling.
- Mass forwarding from the app can get your number restricted.
How to send WhatsApp broadcasts to thousands
With the official WhatsApp Business API and Monarkz you can:
- Broadcast approved templates to large opted-in audiences. Recipients don’t need to save your number.
- Personalise every message with variables.
- Schedule sends and segment audiences.
- Track delivered, read, clicked and replied in real time.
Your capacity grows through Meta’s messaging tiers: new numbers can message a limited number of unique customers per day, and the limit increases automatically as you maintain good quality.
Break past the 256-contact limit. Start your 7-day free trial of Monarkz →
Frequently asked questions
What is the WhatsApp broadcast list limit?
256 contacts per broadcast list in the WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps.
Why didn’t some contacts receive my broadcast?
Broadcasts from the app only reach contacts who saved your number in their phone.
Can I send a WhatsApp broadcast to more than 256 contacts?
In the app, only by creating multiple lists. With the WhatsApp Business API, you can broadcast to far larger opted-in audiences.
Is a broadcast the same as a WhatsApp group?
No. Broadcast recipients receive individual messages and can’t see each other. Group members all see each other’s messages.