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The core vocabulary of the WhatsApp Business API. These terms appear everywhere in the Meta dashboard and in API calls — you need to understand them before you can do anything else.

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The terms

WABA — WhatsApp Business Account The top-level container for a business on WhatsApp. It holds the business profile, message templates, and phone numbers. It lives inside the business’s Meta Business Portfolio. Every business that uses the WhatsApp API has one (or more) WABAs. Phone Number ID A unique numerical identifier Meta assigns to each phone number registered on the WhatsApp API — including test numbers. You use this ID in every API call to specify which number should send or receive a message. Find it in the Meta developer dashboard under API Setup. WABA ID (WhatsApp Business Account ID) The unique ID for the entire WhatsApp Business Account. Used to manage global settings, webhooks, and templates across all phone numbers in that account. Different from the Phone Number ID — the WABA ID identifies the account, the Phone Number ID identifies one specific number inside it. BSP — Business Solution Provider An official Meta partner (e.g. Twilio, Infobip, Sinch, Wati, AiSensy) that resells access to the WhatsApp Business API. BSPs used to be required, but with the Cloud API you can connect directly to Meta without going through a BSP. BSPs are optional today — they add value through extra tooling, not because Meta requires them.

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Where to find your IDs

Phone Number ID and WABA ID in the dashboard

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Frequently asked

WABA stands for WhatsApp Business Account. It is the account that holds your business profile, phone numbers, and message templates on Meta’s platform.
A unique number Meta gives to each phone number registered on the WhatsApp API. You put it in your API calls so Meta knows which number to send from. Find it in the Meta developer dashboard → API Setup.
The ID of the entire WhatsApp Business Account — used to manage templates and webhooks globally. Not the same as a Phone Number ID.
No. With the Cloud API you connect directly to Meta. BSPs are optional — some businesses use them for extra features, but they are not required.
Phone Number ID identifies one specific number inside your account. WABA ID identifies the whole account. You use Phone Number ID in message sends; you use WABA ID for account-level settings and templates.