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Delivery and limits

What is WhatsApp API throughput?

Throughput is the number of messages per second that Meta's Cloud API will accept from a single WhatsApp Business phone number. The default is 80 messages per second; Meta can raise it to 1,000 for high-volume numbers automatically. Throughput is a speed limit, separate from the messaging limit (unique marketing recipients per day) and the quality rating.

Updated 29 Aug 2026 · 1 min read

On this page
  1. Why it matters
  2. In VGraple CRM
  3. Related terms

DELIVERY AND LIMITS

Throughput

Throughput is the number of messages per second that Meta's Cloud API will accept from a single WhatsApp Business phone number. The default is 80 messages per second; Meta can raise it to 1,000 for high-volume numbers automatically. Throughput is a speed limit, separate from the messaging limit (unique marketing recipients per day) and the quality rating.

pacingerror 130429messaging limit

Throughput in one line

Why it matters

Throughput is rarely the bottleneck for small and mid-size businesses; the daily marketing limit and Meta's pacing are. Exceeding it produces error 130429, which a good sender backs off from automatically. Vendors that quote huge throughput numbers are describing a ceiling most customers never approach.

In VGraple CRM

The broadcast worker stays well under the default throughput and backs off on 130429, so the limit never surfaces to you. Numbers Meta has upgraded to higher throughput are detected and the ceiling adjusted within the plan's pacing rules.

Pacing, Error 130429, Messaging limit.

Frequently asked questions

Is throughput per WABA or per number?
Per phone number. Two numbers on one WABA each have their own throughput ceiling, while the marketing messaging limit is shared at portfolio level.
Can I request higher throughput?
Meta raises it automatically for numbers with sustained high volume; there is no form.
Does throughput affect cost?
No. Meta bills per delivered message by category; how fast the messages went out makes no difference to the invoice.

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