and counting
How many messages are in your WhatsApp chat: count them for free
Who texts more in your relationship? How many messages have you sent each other since that first “hi”? WhatsApp has no per-chat counter, but there’s an easy way to find out how many messages are in a WhatsApp chat: export it and run it through our free calculator.
We explain how to do it on iPhone and Android, what else you can learn about your conversation and what to do with all those messages.
Step 1: export the chat (without media)
To count messages you only need the chat text. Export it without media: it’s faster and much smaller.
On iPhone
- Open the chat and tap the name at the top.
- Scroll down to “Export Chat” › “Without Media”.
- Choose “Save to Files”. A .zip file is created.
On Android
- Open the chat and tap ⋮ › More › Export chat.
- Choose “Without media”.
- Save it to your phone or to Drive. A .txt file is created.
Not sure how to export? Check the official WhatsApp guide or our step-by-step guides to exporting a chat on iPhone and exporting a chat on Android.
Step 2: see how many messages are in a WhatsApp chat
That many? Don’t leave them stuck on your phone: turn them into a book with photos, emojis and voice notes as QR codes.
Can you see the number of messages without exporting?
Not per chat. WhatsApp only shows overall figures: in Settings › Storage and data › Network usage you’ll see how many messages you’ve sent and received in total (since the counter was last reset), and in Manage storage how much space each chat takes up. It’s a fun fact, but it won’t tell you how many messages a specific conversation has.
There are also apps that promise WhatsApp statistics, but many ask for full access to your phone or upload your conversations to their servers. With the calculator on this page, the file never leaves your device.
What to do with thousands of messages
When the number hits five digits, you realise there’s a whole story in there: the first message, the plans, the goodnight voice notes. With Mi Libro de Mensajes you can upload that same file and turn it into a printed book or a PDF book.
- Upload the export (this time, preferably with media so the photos appear).
- Choose which messages go in and remove any you don’t want.
- Design the cover and add a dedication.
- Receive it at home, with voice notes and videos as QR codes.
Frequently asked questions
Does it count deleted messages?
Yes, if they appear in the export. WhatsApp includes them as “This message was deleted”, so they count towards the total even though the original text is gone.
Does it work with group chats?
Yes. The calculator counts messages from every participant and shows you who has written the most.
Are my messages uploaded to a server?
No. The calculator runs inside your browser: the file is read on your own device and isn’t sent anywhere. When you close the page, nothing is kept.
Why doesn’t it match what I see on my phone?
The export may not include very old messages if they weren’t on the phone, and some system notices (number changes, encryption, etc.) don’t count as messages. WhatsApp has also historically limited how many messages can be exported from very long chats.
How many messages do I need to make a book?
There’s no fixed minimum: the book starts at 32 pages and you choose which messages to include. If you talk every day, you’ll have more than enough within a few months. You can upload your chat to the app for free and see how it looks before you pay.
Every message counts. Literally.
