How to Send Interactive Reply Buttons Messages Using the WhatsApp Official API

Interactive Reply Buttons are one of the simplest and most effective ways to make WhatsApp conversations easier for customers.

Instead of asking users to type a response manually, businesses can send up to three predefined reply buttons. Customers simply tap the option they want, and WhatsApp immediately sends their selection back to your system.

With Hibot, reply buttons can help you create faster, more engaging, and more user-friendly customer conversations.

What Are WhatsApp Interactive Reply Buttons?

Interactive Reply Buttons allow businesses to send a message with up to 3 selectable options.

Each button contains:

• A unique button ID

• A visible button label

When a customer taps a button, WhatsApp triggers a webhook that tells your system exactly which option the user selected.

This makes reply buttons ideal for:

• Appointment confirmations

• Order updates

• Lead qualification

• Customer support

• Feedback collection

• Event registrations

• 
  

Why Businesses Use Reply Buttons

Traditional text messages often require customers to type a response manually.

For example:

“Please reply YES, NO, or RESCHEDULE.”

Many customers ignore these messages because typing takes extra effort.

Reply buttons solve this problem by giving customers a one-tap experience.

Benefits include:

• Faster response rates

• Better customer experience

• Fewer typing errors

• More structured responses

• Easier automation inside Hibot

Because every response is predefined, your chatbot or workflow can react instantly based on the selected button.

Key Features and Limits

WhatsApp Interactive Reply Buttons support:

• Up to 3 buttons per message

• Unique label text for every button

• Optional message header

• Optional footer text

• Automatic webhook response when a button is selected

Important limits:

Element	Limit
Body text	Maximum 1024 characters
Button label	Maximum 20 characters
Button ID	Maximum 256 characters
Footer text	Maximum 60 characters
Number of buttons	Maximum 3

Supported Header Types

Reply button messages support optional headers.

You can use:

Header Type	Description
Text	A short title shown above the message
Image	Displays an image header
Video	Displays a video header
Document	Displays a file attachment

Example text header:

"header": {
  "type": "text",
  "text": "Workshop Details"
}

Example image header:

"header": {
  "type": "image",
  "image": {
    "id": "2762702990552401"
  }
}

API Endpoint

Use the following endpoint to send an interactive reply buttons message:

POST /<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/messages

Example API request structure:

curl 'https://graph.facebook.com/v25.0/<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/messages' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN' \
-d '
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "<CUSTOMER_PHONE_NUMBER>",
  "type": "interactive",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "button",
    "body": {
      "text": "Would you like to continue?"
    },
    "action": {
      "buttons": []
    }
  }
}'

Example: Reply Buttons with Image Header

This example sends an appointment reminder with two reply buttons.

curl 'https://graph.facebook.com/v25.0/106540352242922/messages' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN' \
-d '
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "+16505551234",
  "type": "interactive",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "button",
    "header": {
      "type": "image",
      "image": {
        "id": "2762702990552401"
      }
    },
    "body": {
      "text": "Hi Pablo! Your gardening workshop is scheduled for 9am tomorrow. Use the buttons below if you need to reschedule."
    },
    "footer": {
      "text": "Lucky Shrub: Your gateway to succulents!™"
    },
    "action": {
      "buttons": [
        {
          "type": "reply",
          "reply": {
            "id": "change-button",
            "title": "Change"
          }
        },
        {
          "type": "reply",
          "reply": {
            "id": "cancel-button",
            "title": "Cancel"
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}'

Common Reply Button Examples

Appointment Reminder

Buttons:

• Confirm

• Reschedule

• Cancel

• 
  

Order Delivery Update

Buttons:

• Track Order

• Change Address

• Contact Support

• 
  

Lead Qualification

Buttons:

• Interested

• Need Details

• Not Now

• 
  

Event Registration

Buttons:

• Register

• Ask Question

• Remind Me

• 
  

Customer Feedback

Buttons:

• Happy

• Neutral

• Unhappy

• 
  

Webhook Response When a User Taps a Button

When a customer selects a reply button, WhatsApp sends a webhook to your server.

The selected button appears inside a button_reply object.

Example webhook response:

"button_reply": {
  "id": "change-button",
  "title": "Change"
}

This allows Hibot to instantly continue the conversation based on the user's selection.

For example:

• If the user taps “Change”, Hibot can show available appointment slots.

• If the user taps “Cancel”, Hibot can cancel the appointment automatically.

• If the user taps “Track Order”, Hibot can display tracking details.

Full Example Webhook

{
  "messages": [
    {
      "type": "interactive",
      "interactive": {
        "type": "button_reply",
        "button_reply": {
          "id": "change-button",
          "title": "Change"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

Your backend can use the button_reply.id value to trigger the correct workflow or chatbot action.

Best Practices for Interactive Reply Buttons

1. Keep button labels short.The best button labels are usually one or two words.

2. Use action-oriented text.Good examples:

   • Buy Now

   • Confirm

   • Learn More

   • Talk to Support

3. Avoid using all 3 buttons unless necessary.Too many choices can reduce conversions.

4. Make the message clear before showing buttons.Users should understand exactly what happens when they tap.

5. Use unique button IDs.This makes it easier to track user actions and automate workflows.

6. Match the reply buttons to the user's current stage.For example:

   • New leads → Learn More / Pricing / Book Demo

   • Existing customers → Track Order / Support / Reorder

   • 
     

Business Use Cases

Ecommerce

Send product suggestions, order tracking options, or purchase confirmations.

Healthcare

Allow patients to confirm, cancel, or reschedule appointments.

Education

Let students register for webinars or request course details.

Real Estate

Allow prospects to book a visit, request pricing, or speak with an agent.

Travel

Help customers confirm reservations or request itinerary changes.

Customer Support

Guide users to the correct support option with a single tap.

Build Faster Conversations with Hibot

Hibot helps businesses create interactive reply button workflows without writing complex code.

With Hibot, you can:

• Create one-tap customer interactions

• Build automated workflows based on button selection

• Improve response rates

• Reduce manual support effort

• Deliver a better WhatsApp experience

Whether you want to confirm appointments, qualify leads, or guide customers through a journey, Interactive Reply Buttons make every conversation simpler and faster.

Start building smarter WhatsApp conversations with Hibot today.