Tel Link Generator & Click-to-Call Shortener

Tel links, sometimes called click-to-call or phone call links, are links that, when tapped on a mobile device, prompt the user to call a phone number instead of opening a web address.

Tel links use the format:

tel:+15551234567

When a user taps a tel link, their device offers to call that number. Tel links work just like mailto links on Linkly and support all the same features.

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Use the format tel:+(country code)(telephone number), for example tel:+15551234567. Linkly accepts the number with or without hyphens.

Enter your telephone number in the **Destination** field.
Enter your telephone number in the Destination field.
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This is private and helps you find the link later. The end user will never see this.

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Linkly will create your shortened tel link and automatically generate a QR code.

Under the hood, a tel link looks like this:

tel:+15551234567

The pieces:

  • tel: — the URI scheme. Always required.
  • +15551234567 — the destination phone number in E.164 format (a + followed by country code and the rest of the number). Hyphens are optional and ignored by the dialer.

Linkly's tel link generator handles the formatting for you — just type the number into the destination field.

When you create a tel link, Linkly automatically generates a QR code. When scanned, this QR code will prompt the user's device to call the number.

QR code generated for a tel link that prompts users to make a phone call
QR code generated for a tel link that prompts users to make a phone call

Click on the QR code to enlarge it. You can then save it for use in printed materials or digital marketing.

Enlarged QR code modal showing the full-size scannable code
Enlarged QR code modal showing the full-size scannable code

When scanned on a mobile device, the user will be prompted to call the number:

iPhone screen showing a prompt to call the phone number after scanning the QR code
iPhone screen showing a prompt to call the phone number after scanning the QR code

Redirecting to different numbers by country

You can redirect users to different telephone numbers based on their location. On the Create New Link form, under Targeting, click Country and enter the telephone numbers for each region.

Any countries not covered by your list will go to the main Destination at the top.

All of Linkly's click tracking and reporting features work with tel links, just as they do for any other link type.

Linkly traffic report showing click statistics for a tel link
Linkly traffic report showing click statistics for a tel link

Linkly can track clicks on tel links, but cannot track whether someone actually completed the call. Click figures will usually be higher than the number of calls placed, as some users may decline the call prompt.

Tel link behaviour depends on the browser and device. Desktop computers may not have the ability to make telephone calls. Apple and Android phones respond reliably.

Yes. The QR code points to your Linkly link, which then redirects to the tel number. You can change the destination phone number at any time, even after printing and distributing the QR code.

Tel links are compatible with most Linkly features, including click tracking, country targeting, device targeting, link rotation, retargeting pixels, custom domains, and data export.

Most smartphones can scan QR codes using the built-in camera app. Simply point your camera at the code and tap the notification that appears.

Tel isn't the only protocol Linkly shortens. You can also create trackable, shortened links for:

  • SMS Links — open the user's messaging app with a pre-filled phone number and message body.

  • Mailto Links — open the user's email client with To, CC, BCC, subject and body pre-filled.

  • WhatsApp Links — drop the user straight into a WhatsApp conversation with optional pre-filled text.

Like tel links, each of these can be shortened, tracked, retargeted, and served from your own custom domain.

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