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When you create a WhatsApp template, you can include numbered placeholders like {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}} in the body (and sometimes the header). These are variables. When you send the template via the API, you supply parameters — the real values that replace each variable — in the components array. The same template can be sent to thousands of customers with different values.

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Variables vs parameters

Variables are defined at template creation time: 
Hello {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been confirmed.
{{1}} will be replaced with the customer’s name, {{2}} with the order number. The numbers must start at {{1}} and go up sequentially. Parameters are the actual values you send when calling the API: 
{
  "type": "body",
  "parameters": [
    { "type": "text", "text": "Rahul" },
    { "type": "text", "text": "0101" }
  ]
}
The first parameter fills {{1}} (→ “Rahul”), the second fills {{2}} (→ “0101”). The order in the array matches the variable number.

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Sending to multiple customers

The template stays the same. Only the parameter values change:
Customer{{1}}{{2}}
Customer 1Rahul0101
Customer 2Priya0201
Customer 3Vikram0301
Each API call uses the same template name but different parameters.

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Frequently asked

It’s a variable placeholder. When you send the template via the API, you provide a parameters array in the body component; the first entry replaces {{1}}, the second replaces {{2}}, and so on.
Use {{1}} in the template body for the name. When calling the API for each customer, pass that customer’s name as the first item in the body parameters array.
A variable ({{1}}, {{2}}) is the placeholder defined inside the template text. A parameter is the real value you send at the time of the API call to fill in that placeholder.
Yes. Variables must start at {{1}} and increment sequentially — {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}}. You cannot skip numbers (e.g., going straight from {{1}} to {{3}} will cause the template to be rejected).

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Gotchas & common mistakes

  • Skipping numbers — {{1}}, {{3}} without {{2}} is invalid. Meta rejects templates with non-sequential variable numbers.
  • Wrong order in parameters array — the first parameter always fills {{1}}, second fills {{2}}. Wrong order = wrong values for customers.
  • Parameters vs variables — you cannot change the template text at send time. Variables are fixed when the template is approved; parameters only supply values. See Template structure & sending.