Free SMS Link Generator — Pre-filled Text Message Links
Create a clickable sms: link that opens the user's native text message app with your number and message pre-filled. Generate the URL and copy-ready HTML code instantly.
Enter a phone number to generate your SMS link.
What Is an SMS Link?
An SMS link uses the sms: URI scheme — a web standard that instructs the device to open the native SMS app and pre-fill a recipient number and optional message. When a user taps an SMS link on their phone, they land directly in a compose window ready to send — no saving numbers, no typing, no friction. It is the fastest possible path from your website or marketing material to a text conversation.
The full format is: sms:+15551234567?body=Hello%20there. The phone number should use the international E.164 format (+ followed by country code and subscriber number). The body is URL-encoded automatically by this generator.
Where to Use SMS Links
- Website "Text Us" buttons: Add a tap-to-text button to your site so mobile visitors can reach you instantly without hunting for a phone number.
- Email signatures: A "Text Me" link in your email signature opens a compose window directly on mobile — far more likely to get a response than a plain phone number.
- Lead generation forms: Pre-fill the message with "Hi, I'd like a quote for [your service]" to reduce friction and get more initial inquiries.
- Appointment reminders: Pair an SMS link with calendar invitations so clients can confirm, reschedule, or cancel with a single tap.
- Print materials: Put an SMS link in a flyer or poster — or better yet, wrap it in a SMS QR code so people can scan it without typing.
- Social media bios: Use a short redirect URL wrapping your SMS link in your Instagram or TikTok bio to collect direct text leads from fans.
SMS vs. WhatsApp Links: Which Should You Use?
SMS links open the built-in text message app — no app install required, no account needed, and it works even without a data connection (SMS uses the cellular network). This makes SMS universally accessible. WhatsApp links require the recipient to have WhatsApp installed and an active internet connection.
Use SMS links when reaching the broadest possible audience, for local businesses, or in markets where WhatsApp penetration is low (US, Canada, Australia). Use WhatsApp links when your audience is in Latin America, Europe, India, or Southeast Asia, where WhatsApp is often the primary messaging app.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
The sms: scheme is supported on iOS (Safari, Chrome, Firefox) and Android (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet). On desktop, the link will silently fail unless the user has Android Messages for Web or iMessage paired via a nearby iPhone. Design your SMS call-to-action buttons to be prominently mobile-targeted. On desktop, consider showing your phone number as plain text alongside the button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do SMS links work on both iPhones and Android phones?
Yes — the sms: URI scheme is a web standard supported natively by Safari on iOS and Chrome on Android. Tapping an SMS link on either platform opens the native text message app (iOS Messages or Android Messages) with the phone number and optional pre-filled message already populated.
Do SMS links work on desktop computers?
Not reliably on most desktops. The sms: URI requires a paired native messaging app — which works on Macs with iMessage linked to an iPhone, or on PCs using Android Messages for Web. For most desktop visitors, the link will silently fail. SMS links are designed primarily for mobile — consider showing a plain phone number as a fallback for desktop users.
What phone number format should I use?
Use E.164 format: a + followed by the country code and subscriber number, with no spaces, dashes, parentheses, or leading zeros. US example: +15551234567. UK example: +447911123456. This format is required for cross-carrier compatibility on both iOS and Android.
Can I pre-fill the message body?
Yes — enter your desired message in the Pre-filled Message field. The text will appear in the SMS compose window when the user taps the link. Keep it short, natural, and something the recipient would plausibly want to send. Overly promotional pre-filled messages often get deleted before sending.
What is the difference between the SMS URL and the HTML code?
The SMS URL (sms:+1555...?body=...) is the raw link — paste it into an href attribute, a social bio, or anywhere links are supported. The HTML code is a complete, ready-to-paste <a> anchor tag with a customisable label, designed for direct use in website HTML, email templates, or landing pages.
Can I use an SMS link inside a QR code?
Absolutely — use our SMS QR Code generator to encode your sms: link into a scannable QR code. This is ideal for print materials like flyers, menus, business cards, and posters where users cannot tap a link directly.
Are there character limits on the pre-filled message?
Standard SMS messages support up to 160 characters per segment. Most carriers and phones handle multi-part messages (up to 1,600 characters) automatically — but for best results, keep pre-filled messages under 160 characters. Longer messages may be split differently across devices and carriers.
Can I track how many people click my SMS link?
Not directly — the sms: URI scheme does not support click tracking. To track engagement, wrap your SMS link inside a Dynamic QR code or a redirect URL that logs clicks, then forward users to the sms: link. This gives you click analytics without changing the end-user experience.
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