WhatsApp Business Calling API: Inbound, Outbound, Pricing and Permissions
WhatsApp is where many customers already talk; now it is also where they can call. The Calling API brings WhatsApp voice into business tools, so a customer can tap call in the chat they already have with you and reach an agent — and your team can call back with permission.
Inbound calls
Customers call your WhatsApp Business number from the chat or your profile. The call rings in your contact-centre or inbox tool instead of a handset. Meta does not charge for customer-initiated calls, which makes WhatsApp a cheap alternative to toll-free numbers for international customers.
Outbound calls and call permission
To call a customer, you first need their permission. The usual route is a call permission request inside the chat; once approved, you can call within Meta's permission rules. Outbound minutes are billed per minute and priced by country.
Use cases
- Escalation from chat when typing isn't enough.
- Scheduled callbacks for sales or complex support.
- International support without per-country phone numbers.
- Verification and high-value confirmations by voice.
Things to plan for
- Staff availability and business hours, with a message when no one can answer.
- Call recording and transcription consent, especially under GDPR.
- Linking calls to the same contact record as the chat history.
- Verifying current per-minute rates and availability in your markets.
Beyond WhatsApp: Ping Link and Ping Me
Not every caller is on WhatsApp. Arino One's Ping Link opens browser-based voice from a link, and the Ping Me device opens a real-time voice channel with one button press. Both land in the same inbox as WhatsApp calls.
FAQ
What is the WhatsApp Business Calling API?
Part of the WhatsApp Business Platform that lets businesses receive and place WhatsApp voice calls through the API, so calls can be answered in a contact-centre or inbox tool rather than on a phone.
How much does WhatsApp calling cost?
Customer-initiated (inbound) calls are free of Meta charges. Business-initiated (outbound) calls are billed per minute, with rates varying by country. Your provider may add its own fees.
Can a business call any WhatsApp user?
No. Before placing an outbound call the business must have the customer's call permission, typically requested through a call permission request message that the customer approves.
How is this different from Ping Me or Ping Link?
The Calling API handles voice calls inside WhatsApp. Arino One's Ping Link and Ping Me device open real-time voice from a web link or a physical button straight into the same agent inbox, for people who aren't on WhatsApp or are on-site.
Apply this to your own deployment
This guide describes decisions we make on live instances. Tell us your channels, systems and region and we will map it to an architecture outline, a provisioning plan and an indicative commercial model — usually within one business day.