WhatsApp API cost calculator per delivered message
Project monthly spend on delivered messages by category. You enter rates from Meta’s official rate card — this tool is never an official Meta or Andy quote.
Estimates Meta charges per delivered message using rates you enter. Meta applies its rates per delivered message, by category and recipient market. The Andy subscription is separate.
Rules applied: current as of Sep 6, 2026. From Oct 1, 2026 service and in-window utility are charged per delivered message.
Meta’s official rate table (by market and category)
Never treat this output as an official quote.
Delivered messages / month
Your rate per delivered message (USD — enter your value, none included)
Estimated monthly cost
Estimated Meta total (USD)
$0.00
Total delivered messages
0
| Category | Volume | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 0 | No rate — look it up in Meta’s table | $0.00 |
| Authentication | 0 | No rate — look it up in Meta’s table | $0.00 |
| Utility outside window | 0 | No rate — look it up in Meta’s table | $0.00 |
| Utility inside window (24 h) | 0 | No rate — look it up in Meta’s table | $0.00 |
| Service (non-template replies in window) | 0 | No rate — look it up in Meta’s table | $0.00 |
Assumptions
- One "message" = one message delivered to the user, not sent. Only delivered messages are charged.
- You enter each USD rate from Meta’s official card for the recipient market and category. Fields start blank: blank = unknown, not free.
- One estimate per business number, per recipient market, per calendar month.
- Service: free through Sep 30, 2026 inside the 24-hour window (non-template). From Oct 1, 2026 charged per delivered message; each number keeps 1,000 free service messages a month — lower the remaining allowance if that number already sent messages this month.
- Utility: outside the window always charged. In-window (response) free through Sep 30, 2026; from Oct 1, 2026 also charged, at the same utility rate.
- On the service rate: Meta states it will match utility/authentication, by market. Copy your own value from the official table regardless.
- Not modelled: 72-hour free entry window — leave those messages out of the volumes —, utility/authentication volume tiers, authentication-international rate, Meta Business Agent, extra BSP markups, software fees.
- The Andy subscription (from US$19/month) is separate and not included in this total.
What Meta charges for
Meta charges per delivered message, based on the message category and the recipient market. A message that is sent but never delivered is not charged.
The categories and when they are charged
- Marketing — always charged per delivered template.
- Authentication — always charged per delivered template.
- Utility outside the window — charged.
- Utility inside the window — free through Sep 30, 2026; from Oct 1, 2026 also charged, at the same utility rate.
- Service — non-template replies inside an open 24-hour window, free through Sep 30, 2026; from Oct 1, 2026 charged per delivered message — Meta states at the market's utility/authentication rate — minus your number's remaining allowance that month.
Rates in this tool
We bundle no market rates: fields start blank (blank = unknown, not free) and you copy each USD value from Meta's official rate table for your recipients' market. One estimate per number, market, and month. Check the table's effective date (quarterly: Jan 1 / Apr 1 / Jul 1 / Oct 1). The category explainer describes each category without the effective dates.
Official API vs Direct WhatsApp
Direct WhatsApp links the number you already use by scanning a code — live in minutes, no Meta business verification and no Meta message fees on that path. Official WhatsApp API is Meta's official channel: verified business, templates, higher volume, and Meta applies its rates per delivered message, by category and recipient market. Andy supports both.
Limitations
- Not a quote from Meta, a BSP, or Andy.
- Rates change by country, category, and date.
- Does not model the 72-hour free entry window (ads/CTAs): leave those messages out of the volumes — anything you enter counts as billable.
- One estimate covers one number, one recipient market, and one month: it never blends markets, duplicates the service allowance across markets, or applies volume tiers. The service allowance is your number's REMAINDER that month (1,000 minus what it already sent).
- Any CLP conversion would be an FX estimate, not a bank rate.
Next step
When cost looks reasonable vs channel value, read the WhatsApp chatbot page or create an account.
Updated: September 2026
FAQ
Are these official Meta rates?
No. Fields start blank and you copy each value from Meta’s official rate table for your market and category. Blank means unknown, not free: with billable volume and no rate, the total stays pending. Meta’s pricing documentation is the source of truth.
Is service free?
Through September 30, 2026, service messages (non-template replies in an open window) are not charged. From October 1, 2026 they are charged per delivered message — Meta states at your market’s utility/authentication rate — minus your number’s remaining allowance that month (of 1,000).
Is in-window utility free?
Through September 30, 2026, yes: you only pay for utility outside the window. From October 1, 2026 in-window utility is also charged, at the same rate.
Does this include Andy or other software?
No. It only estimates Meta charges per delivered message. The Andy plan (from US$19/month) is separate.
Can I work in local currency?
The estimator uses USD (Meta’s usual table unit). If you convert to CLP or another currency, label FX as estimated.
Andy
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