WhatsApp messaging limits: how tiers work and how to increase yours
Messaging limits cap how many business-initiated conversations (template sends to unique customers) your number can start in a rolling 24-hour window. Replies to customer-initiated chats don't count.
The tiers
- 250/day — new numbers before business verification
- 1,000/day — after verification (Tier 1)
- 10,000/day → 100,000/day → Unlimited — unlocked automatically
Check your current tier in SuperLemon's WhatsApp settings. Numbers in the same Meta business portfolio share the highest limit any of them has earned.
How upgrades happen
Meta evaluates your number continuously (upgrade checks can run every few hours). You move up when:
- Status is Connected and quality is Medium or High;
- You've been sending at meaningful volume relative to your current limit (roughly: reaching half your limit within a week signals readiness).
Practically: verify your business, ramp campaigns gradually rather than in one giant blast, and keep quality green — the limits take care of themselves.
What makes limits decrease
If your quality rating stays Low for ~7 days, Meta drops you one tier. Fix quality first; volume follows.
Planning campaigns around limits
SuperLemon shows the limit before campaign sends; if your audience exceeds the remaining daily allowance, split the campaign across days or use scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I only message 250 customers per day on WhatsApp API?
New WhatsApp Business API numbers without Meta business verification are capped at 250 business-initiated conversations per rolling 24 hours. Complete business verification to unlock 1,000/day and automatic scaling beyond that.
How do I increase my WhatsApp messaging limit?
Keep your number Connected with Medium/High quality and send volume near your current limit — Meta raises limits automatically (1K → 10K → 100K → unlimited) as you demonstrate quality at volume. Business verification is the prerequisite for leaving the 250 tier.
Do messaging limits apply to replies?
No. Limits only cap business-initiated conversations. Replying to customers who message you is always unlimited.