Channel ID Finder: Complete Guide to Finding YouTube Channel IDs (2025)
Last updated: December 23, 2024
A channel ID finder helps you locate the unique identifier for any YouTube channel. Whether you need a channel ID for API access, analytics, or channel management, understanding how to use a channel ID finder is essential for YouTube creators and developers.
Table of contents
- What is a YouTube channel ID?
- Why do you need a channel ID?
- How to find channel ID
- Using our channel ID finder tool
- Manual methods to find channel ID
- Understanding channel ID format
- Common use cases
- FAQs
What is a YouTube channel ID?
A YouTube channel ID is a unique identifier assigned to every YouTube channel. It's a string of characters (usually starting with "UC") that uniquely identifies a channel, regardless of the channel name or URL changes.
Channel IDs are different from:
- Channel name: The display name that can be changed
- Channel handle: The @username format (e.g., @youtube)
- Channel URL: The web address that may change
The channel ID remains constant and is used by YouTube's API and various tools for reliable channel identification.
Why do you need a channel ID?
Channel IDs are required for various purposes:
API access
- YouTube Data API: Required for programmatic access to channel data
- Analytics API: Needed to fetch channel analytics and metrics
- Custom integrations: Building tools that interact with YouTube
- Automation: Scripts and bots that manage channel data
Analytics and tracking
- Third-party analytics: Tools that track channel performance
- Competitor analysis: Monitoring other channels
- Performance tracking: Detailed metrics and insights
- Reporting: Generating custom reports
Channel management
- Bulk operations: Managing multiple channels
- Channel verification: Verifying channel ownership
- Tool integration: Connecting with YouTube management tools
- Data migration: Moving data between channels
How to find channel ID
There are several ways to find a YouTube channel ID:
Method 1: Using our channel ID finder tool
The easiest way to find a channel ID is using our channel ID finder tool:
- Visit our channel ID finder page
- Enter the channel URL, channel handle (@username), or channel name
- Click "Find Channel ID" or "Search"
- View the channel ID along with channel information
- Copy the channel ID for your use
Our channel ID finder supports multiple input formats and provides instant results.
Method 2: From channel URL
If you have a channel URL, you can extract the ID:
- Custom URL format:
youtube.com/c/ChannelName- ID not in URL - Channel ID format:
youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx- ID is after /channel/ - User format:
youtube.com/user/username- ID not in URL - Handle format:
youtube.com/@username- ID not in URL
If the URL contains /channel/, the ID is right there. Otherwise, use our channel ID finder tool.
Method 3: From YouTube Studio
For your own channel:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click on "Settings" in the left sidebar
- Go to "Channel" → "Advanced settings"
- Find your channel ID under "Channel ID"
- Copy the ID
Method 4: From channel page source
Advanced method for developers:
- Visit the channel page
- Right-click and select "View Page Source"
- Search for "channelId" or "externalId"
- Find the ID in the page source code
Using our channel ID finder tool
Our free channel ID finder offers several advantages:
- Multiple input formats: Accepts URLs, handles, or channel names
- Instant results: Fast channel ID lookup
- Additional information: Shows channel name, subscriber count, and more
- Free to use: No registration required
- Mobile-friendly: Works on all devices
Supported input formats
- Channel URL:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC... - Channel handle:
@usernameoryoutube.com/@username - Custom URL:
youtube.com/c/ChannelName - Channel name: Search by channel display name
Manual methods to find channel ID
If you prefer manual methods:
From channel URL (if available)
If the channel URL contains the ID:
- Copy the full channel URL
- Look for the pattern:
youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - The part after
/channel/is the channel ID - Channel IDs typically start with "UC" followed by 22 characters
Using browser developer tools
- Open the channel page in your browser
- Open Developer Tools (F12 or right-click → Inspect)
- Go to the "Network" tab
- Refresh the page
- Look for API calls containing "channelId"
- Find the channel ID in the response data
Understanding channel ID format
YouTube channel IDs follow a specific format:
Standard format
- Prefix: Usually starts with "UC" (User Channel)
- Length: 24 characters total
- Characters: Base64-encoded string (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, -, _)
- Example:
UC_x5XG1OV2P6uZZ5FSM9Ttw
ID types
- UC prefix: Standard user channel
- Other prefixes: May indicate different channel types
- Consistency: ID never changes, even if channel name or URL changes
Common use cases
Channel IDs are used in various scenarios:
For creators
- Analytics tools: Connect third-party analytics services
- Channel management: Use with YouTube management tools
- API access: Build custom tools for your channel
- Verification: Verify channel ownership for services
For developers
- API integration: Required for YouTube Data API calls
- Web applications: Building YouTube-related tools
- Data analysis: Fetching channel statistics programmatically
- Automation: Creating scripts for channel management
For marketers
- Competitor analysis: Tracking competitor channels
- Influencer research: Analyzing potential partners
- Performance tracking: Monitoring channel growth
- Reporting: Generating custom analytics reports
FAQs
How do I find my YouTube channel ID?
Use our channel ID finder tool, or go to YouTube Studio → Settings → Channel → Advanced settings to find your channel ID.
What's the difference between channel ID and channel name?
Channel ID is a permanent unique identifier (like UCxxxxxxxxx), while channel name is the display name that can be changed. The ID never changes, making it reliable for API and tool integration.
Can I find someone else's channel ID?
Yes, you can find any public channel's ID using our channel ID finder tool. Just enter their channel URL, handle, or name.
Do channel IDs change?
No, channel IDs are permanent and never change, even if you change your channel name, URL, or handle. This makes them ideal for long-term tracking and API integration.
Why do I need a channel ID if I have the channel URL?
Channel URLs can change (custom URLs, handles), but channel IDs are permanent. Many APIs and tools require the ID for reliable identification. Also, some channel URLs don't contain the ID, so you need a channel ID finder to get it.
Is there a free channel ID finder?
Yes, our channel ID finder is completely free to use. No registration or payment required.
Can I find channel ID from a video URL?
Yes, you can extract the channel ID from a video page, but it's easier to use our channel ID finder tool with the channel URL or handle.
What format is a YouTube channel ID?
Channel IDs are typically 24 characters long, starting with "UC" (for user channels), followed by 22 Base64-encoded characters. Example: UC_x5XG1OV2P6uZZ5FSM9Ttw
How do I use a channel ID with YouTube API?
Use the channel ID in API requests. For example, to get channel statistics: https://www.googleapis.com/youtube/v3/channels?part=statistics&id=CHANNEL_ID&key=API_KEY
Can I convert a channel handle to channel ID?
Yes, our channel ID finder tool can convert channel handles (@username) to channel IDs. Just enter the handle and get the ID instantly.