Audio Messages
How to send an audio message or voice note on the WhatsApp Cloud API, including supported formats and size limits.
An audio message sends a playable audio clip to a recipient. OGG files encoded with the Opus codec render as a native WhatsApp voice note with a waveform. Other formats render as a playable audio file. Audio messages have no caption field. Provide the file via URL or media ID — see Media by URL vs Media ID.
Send by URL#
{
"messaging_product": "whatsapp",
"to": "919959623255",
"type": "audio",
"audio": {
"link": "https://example.com/voice-note.ogg"
}
}Send by Media ID#
{
"messaging_product": "whatsapp",
"to": "919959623255",
"type": "audio",
"audio": {
"id": "1234567890"
}
}Supported formats#
| Format | MIME type | Max size |
|---|---|---|
| AAC | audio/aac | 16 MB |
| MP4 audio | audio/mp4 | 16 MB |
| MPEG | audio/mpeg | 16 MB |
| AMR | audio/amr | 16 MB |
| OGG (Opus) | audio/ogg; codecs=opus | 16 MB |
OGG with Opus codec renders as a WhatsApp voice note with waveform. All other formats render
as a generic audio player. Audio messages do not support a caption field.
Frequently asked#
How do I send a voice note on WhatsApp API?
Set type to "audio" and use audio.link (URL) or audio.id (media ID). For a native
voice note with waveform, use OGG format with Opus codec.
What audio formats does WhatsApp support?
AAC, MP4 audio, MPEG, AMR, and OGG (Opus). All under 16 MB.
Can I add a caption to an audio message?
No. Audio messages have no caption field. Send a text message before or after if you need to add context.
Gotchas & common mistakes#
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