--- title: "WhatsApp broadcast list: limits, how to create one and when to switch to a group" description: "How to create a WhatsApp broadcast list on WhatsApp and Business, the 256 contact limit, why some people do not receive it and when a group works better." featured_image: "https://9bot.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/brd-en-whatsapp-broadcast-list.webp" url: "https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-broadcast-list/" date_modified: "2026-10-25T17:25:37+00:00" last_updated: "2026-10-25T17:25:37+00:00" --- # WhatsApp broadcast list: limits, setup and when to switch to a group For anyone sending deals, news or announcements to hundreds of contacts: what a list does, where it stops working and a format chooser for your case. broadcast listlimitsgroup or community Reading time: 4 min ## In this article 1. [How it works in practice](#demo) 2. [Direct answer](#resposta) 3. [How to create one](#how-to-create) 4. [Limits](#limits) 5. [Format chooser](#format-chooser) 6. [List vs group vs community](#compare) 7. [When to switch to a group](#when-to-switch) 8. [Changes and limits in 2026](#mudancas-2026) 9. [Read also](#artigos-relacionados) 10. [FAQ](#faq) ## How it works in practice Without automation, the admin resends the same deal to several lists, some contacts never get it and questions arrive in private chats. With 9bot, the deal goes out on schedule in the group, a spam link is deleted with a strike and a command answers the shipping question. Without automation, the admin resends the same deal to several lists, some contacts never get it and questions arrive in private chats. With 9bot, the deal goes out on schedule in the group, a spam link is deleted with a strike and a command answers the shipping question. **Direct answer:** A broadcast list sends the same message to many contacts, and each one receives it in their own private chat without seeing the others. On Android, tap More options and Broadcast lists; on iPhone, tap Settings or your profile picture, then Broadcast messages. Each list holds up to 256 contacts, and only people who saved your number receive the message. **In short:** - Up to 256 contacts per list, and as many lists as you like. - Only people who saved your number receive it; lists do not work on WhatsApp Web or desktop. - For large audiences that only read, an announcement group or a community is usually less work. ## How to create a WhatsApp broadcast list | Where | Path | | --- | --- | | Android | Chats > More options (three dots) > Broadcast lists > pick contacts > confirm | | iPhone | Settings > Broadcast messages > New list > pick contacts > Create | | WhatsApp Business (Android) | Chats > More options > Business broadcast (or Tools > Business broadcast), or from a label | | WhatsApp Web and desktop | Not available, according to the Help Center | ************[](https://faq.whatsapp.com/861663048350950/) Replies arrive as individual chats in your Chats tab and are not visible to other contacts on the list, as the [WhatsApp Business broadcast page](https://faq.whatsapp.com/653415899610349/) explains. ![Want to automate your WhatsApp groups? Discover 9bot and set up alerts, commands and integrations in minutes. Free trial](https://9bot.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1stBannerUniversal-EN.gif)[](https://9bot.com.br/en/start-now/) ## WhatsApp broadcast list limits | Limit | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Contacts per list | 256 | Help Center | | Number of lists | As many as you like | Help Center | | Who receives | Only people who saved your number | Help Center | | Monthly broadcast limit | Rolling out gradually in some countries | Help Center | | Desktop and Web | Not supported | Help Center | [](https://faq.whatsapp.com/861663048350950/)[](https://faq.whatsapp.com/861663048350950/)[](https://faq.whatsapp.com/861663048350950/)[](https://faq.whatsapp.com/861663048350950/)[](https://faq.whatsapp.com/861663048350950/) If someone does not receive a broadcast, the usual reason is that they have not saved your number. On WhatsApp Business, for contacts who have not saved it, the Help Center points to marketing messages, which are a different feature. ## Format chooser: broadcast list, group or community? Enter your audience size and how people interact. The result follows the official limits: 256 contacts per list, 1,024 per group and 2,000 members per community. Contacts or members% who saved your numberSends per weekHow the audience interactsOnly reads announcementsReplies to you privatelyTalks among themselves Recommended format**…** Lists needed**…** People reached by the lists**…** Manual sends per month with lists**…** Groups needed**…** A list only reaches people who saved your number; groups and communities have no such requirement. ## Broadcast list vs group vs community vs Channel | Format | Size | Who sees replies | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Broadcast list | 256 per list | Only you | Personal service and notices for a small set of contacts | | Group | 1,024 | Everyone | Communities that talk, cohort support, deals with questions | | Community | 2,000 members, up to 100 groups | Depends on the group | Several cohorts or topics with one announcement group | | Channel | No member list | Nobody (reactions only) | Open, one-way content | More in [community vs group vs Channel](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-community-vs-group-vs-channel/) and [WhatsApp limits](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-group-limit/). ## When to switch from a broadcast list to a group - **Your audience is past a few hundred.** At 256 per list, a thousand contacts means four lists and four sends for every deal. - **Many people have not saved your number.** They never receive the broadcast. In a group, joining through the link is enough. - **Questions repeat.** In a group, an automatic command answers everyone at once. - **You need scheduling.** The app does not schedule broadcasts; with 9bot you schedule text, images, links and polls in the group. See [how to schedule messages](https://9bot.com.br/en/schedule-whatsapp-group-message/) and [how to send to several groups](https://9bot.com.br/en/send-message-to-multiple-whatsapp-groups/). For affiliate deals, see also [how to run a deals group](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-deals-group/). To see what it costs to send the same message to thousands of contacts through the app, the API or groups, see [WhatsApp Business Broadcast Cost: Free or Paid, and a Cost per Send Calculator](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-business-broadcast-cost/). ## Changes and limits in 2026 The [Help Center](https://faq.whatsapp.com/861663048350950/) records three points that changed how lists are used: - In some countries a **monthly broadcast limit** appears; it is rolling out gradually and is not available everywhere. - Lists remain phone only: they do not work on Windows, Mac or WhatsApp Web. - The Business app now has a separate paid feature, business broadcasts. Pricing is covered in [how much WhatsApp Business broadcasts cost](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-business-broadcast-cost/). The 256 contacts per list limit and the rule that only people who saved your number receive it still apply. Many recipients blocking or reporting your messages is the most common risk signal for a number. Only send to people who asked to receive. ## Read also - [WhatsApp Community vs Group vs Channel: Differences and Which to Use](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-community-vs-group-vs-channel/) - [WhatsApp Limits in 2026: Groups, Communities, Broadcast Lists and Channels](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-group-limit/) - [How to Send the Same Message to Multiple WhatsApp Groups Without Getting Blocked](https://9bot.com.br/en/send-message-to-multiple-whatsapp-groups/) - [How to Schedule a Message in a WhatsApp Group: On Your Phone, With WhatsApp Business and With a Bot](https://9bot.com.br/en/schedule-whatsapp-group-message/) - [WhatsApp Deals Group: How to Create One and Automate Affiliate Offers](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-deals-group/) - [How to create a community in WhatsApp Business: what is allowed, steps and limits](https://9bot.com.br/en/whatsapp-business-community/) ![Stop managing your WhatsApp group manually: set up commands, alerts and automations with 9bot. 50% OFF: Automate my group](https://9bot.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2ndBanner-bot-para-grupos-EN.gif)[](https://9bot.com.br/en/start-now/) ## FAQ How many contacts can a WhatsApp broadcast list have? Up to 256 contacts per list, according to the WhatsApp Help Center. You can create as many lists as you like. Why are some people not receiving my broadcast? Only people who saved your number in their address book receive it. Ask them to save your contact. Can I create a broadcast list on WhatsApp Web? No. Broadcast lists are not supported on WhatsApp Web, Windows or Mac. Can people on the list see each other? No. Each person receives the message in their own chat and replies come back only to you. Broadcast list or group: which is better for sales? For a few customers and one-to-one service, a list. For hundreds of people, repeated questions and daily deals, a moderated group is less work and reaches people who did not save your number. Is there a monthly broadcast limit? The Help Center says people in some countries may see a monthly limit, rolling out gradually. What changed with WhatsApp broadcast lists? According to the WhatsApp Help Center, people in some countries may have a monthly limit on broadcast list messages, a feature being rolled out gradually. On iPhone, lists are under Settings, Broadcast messages. The requirements remain: up to 256 contacts per list, and only people who saved your number receive the message. Can a broadcast list get WhatsApp banned? The list itself is allowed. The risk comes from reports and blocks by people who receive messages they did not ask for. Only send to contacts who expect them. Can I export a broadcast list? The Help Center does not describe a way to export a list. You can view and edit recipients in Broadcast list info. ![9bot CTA](https://9bot.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Automatize-a-gestao-do-seu-grupo-com-o-9bot-EN.png)[ ](https://9bot.com.br/en/start-now/) ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://9bot.com.br/sitemap.md) for all pages, and the [glossary](https://9bot.com.br/glossary/) for 9bot terms.