Glossary
What is a WhatsApp list message?
A WhatsApp message whose button opens a menu of up to 10 choices in sections: the character limits, a worked menu and when a list beats reply buttons.
By Broadchat teamPublished Updated 2 min read
Definition
List message: A list message is a WhatsApp interactive message with a single button that opens a menu of options. The menu can be split into up to 10 sections but holds no more than 10 rows in total. Each row has a title of up to 24 characters and an optional description of up to 72, and the menu button label is up to 20 characters. It is sent inside the 24-hour customer service window.
Also called: Interactive list, List menu, WhatsApp menu
How a list message works
A WhatsApp list message shows a short text and one button, such as See services. Tapping the button opens a sheet with the options. The customer picks one row, and your system receives that row's ID. Unlike reply buttons, which top out at three, a list fits up to ten choices without filling the chat.
| Part | Limit |
|---|---|
| Menu button label | 20 characters |
| Sections | Up to 10 |
| Rows | Up to 10 in total, across all sections |
| Row title | 24 characters |
| Row description | 72 characters (optional) |
Sections are only headings that group rows. Ten sections do not give you a hundred rows: the total stays at ten. Like other interactive messages, a list goes out as a free-form message, so it needs an open customer service window.
Worked example
Sunrise Clinic in Jaipur answers "appointment" with a list:
That is 7 rows in 3 sections, under the 10-row cap. Each row title fits in 24 characters, and a description line under General physician could add "Mon to Sat, 9 am to 1 pm". When Arjun picks Dental care, the bot moves to a dental-slot question.
When to use a list, and when not to
- Use a list for 4 to 10 options of equal weight: departments, product categories, store branches, FAQ topics.
- Use reply buttons for 2 or 3 quick choices; one tap is faster than open-then-pick.
- Use WhatsApp Flows when you need several answers in a row, such as name, date and time.
- For more than 10 options, split into two steps (pick a category, then a sub-list) rather than cramming rows.
List messages in Broadchat
In Chatbots → Chatbots, the send-message step includes a list type where you name the button, add sections and rows, and connect each row to its own branch. Keep row titles short and put details such as timings in the description line. The chatbot builder and the WhatsApp Business API overview explain where lists fit in a full conversation.
Sources
- Interactive list messages — Meta for Developers, checked 12 October 2026
Broadchat team · Product and partner success team
The people who build and support Broadchat, the white-label WhatsApp Business API platform. We write from what we see while onboarding partners and their clients on the official WhatsApp Cloud API, and we check every article against Meta's current documentation.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I send a list message in a broadcast?
No. Lists are interactive messages that need an open 24-hour window. A broadcast uses an approved template; you can send the list after the customer replies.
Why is my list limited to 10 options when I have 3 sections?
The 10-row limit counts every row in the message, whatever the number of sections. Sections only group the rows under headings.
Can a customer pick more than one row?
No. A list returns one choice per tap. To collect several answers, ask a second question or use a WhatsApp Flow, which can hold a full form.