> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatsyncs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Character Limits for Media Message Templates in ChatSyncs

> The character limits for a WhatsApp template's header, body, footer, and buttons, including why a media header cuts the body limit from 4,096 to 1,024 characters.

Every WhatsApp template is made of up to four parts, each with its own character limit:

* **Header** (optional) — text or media
* **Body** (required) — the main message text
* **Footer** (optional) — small static text
* **Buttons** (optional) — a few Call-to-Action or Quick Reply buttons

Stay inside these limits while building a template in
[Message Templates](/learn/chatsyncs-message-templates/creating-a-whatsapp-message-template-in-chatsyncs) to avoid a rejection or save error — the
ChatSyncs builder stops you the moment you hit one.

## Limits by field

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/ouLOR-saCHwHFKKf/images/learn/whatsapp-message-templates/step-02-general-template-builder.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ouLOR-saCHwHFKKf&q=85&s=4f649f593d0dc0c255ab4c0756058b72" alt="Message Template builder showing Template Name, Locale, Template Category, Header Type, Message Body toolbar, Footer Text, button configuration, and a live preview panel" width="883" height="541" data-path="images/learn/whatsapp-message-templates/step-02-general-template-builder.png" />
</Frame>

| Component  | Type                                                     | Limit            |
| ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| **Header** | Text                                                     | 60 characters    |
| **Header** | Caption (for an image/video/document header)             | 256 characters   |
| **Body**   | Media template (has an image, video, or document header) | 1,024 characters |
| **Body**   | Standard template (text header or no header)             | 4,096 characters |
| **Footer** | Text                                                     | 60 characters    |
| **Button** | Button text                                              | 20 characters    |
| **Button** | Quick reply payload                                      | 256 characters   |

<Warning>
  When you **submit** a template for Meta's approval, the body is restricted to 1,024 characters
  regardless of type — each `#variable#` or `{{n}}` placeholder counts as **1 character** toward
  that limit, not the length of the value that will eventually replace it.
</Warning>

## Why media templates get a shorter body

A template with an image, video, or document header is a **media template** — its body is
capped at 1,024 characters even though a plain text template can go up to 4,096. If your message
needs to be long, either drop the media header or trim the body to fit.

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My template body got cut off — what's the limit?">
    4,096 characters for a standard template (text header or no header), but only 1,024
    characters if the template has an image, video, or document header. At submission time,
    Meta enforces 1,024 either way.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long can my footer text be?">
    60 characters — the same limit as a text header.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does a #name# placeholder count as 1 character or the length of the actual name?">
    1 character, when Meta checks the body against its submission limit. The real value (e.g.
    "Rahul") only appears when the message is actually sent.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my button text getting truncated?">
    Button labels are capped at 20 characters. Keep them short and action-focused — "Shop Now"
    or "Book Now" rather than a full sentence.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Gotchas & common mistakes

<Warning>
  * **Adding a header just to include a logo, then running out of body space** — a media header
    drops your body limit from 4,096 to 1,024 characters. Only add one if the image/video/document
    itself matters to the message.
  * **Writing the body first, then discovering it's too long once you add a header** — decide on
    the header type before drafting the body.
  * **Assuming the footer supports variables** — it doesn't. Footer text is always static.
</Warning>