How to Use the YouTube Channel ID Finder
Find the YouTube channel
Go to YouTube and navigate to the channel page you want to find the ID for.
Copy the channel URL or handle
Copy the URL from your browser. It might look like youtube.com/@handle, youtube.com/c/channelname, or youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxx.
Paste into the tool
Drop the URL or @handle into the input field and click Run Tool.
Get the channel ID and useful links
The tool displays the channel's ID (UCxxxx format), handle, and quick access links to the channel page, about page, and more.
Copy what you need
Use the copy buttons to grab the channel ID for API integrations, analytics tools, or other platforms that require it.
Who Should Use This Tool
- Developers integrating with the YouTube Data API who need a channel's UC ID
- Digital marketers setting up YouTube-based advertising or tracking campaigns
- Analytics professionals connecting YouTube channels to third-party reporting tools
- Content managers looking up channel IDs for tools like TubeBuddy, Social Blade, or VidIQ
- Anyone who needs to reference a channel precisely in a technical context
What This Tool Is Best For
- Quickly finding a YouTube channel's technical UC ID from any URL format
- Converting between channel URL formats (handle, custom URL, channel ID)
- Getting channel lookup links for research and audit purposes
- API integration projects that require the precise channel ID
Frequently Asked Questions
01What is a YouTube channel ID?
A YouTube channel ID is a unique identifier assigned to every YouTube channel, formatted as 'UC' followed by 22 characters (e.g., UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx). Unlike channel handles (@name) which can change, the channel ID is permanent and is the most reliable way to reference a channel in APIs and technical integrations.
02How do I find my own YouTube channel ID?
In YouTube Studio, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Channel — your channel ID is displayed there. Alternatively, paste your channel URL into this tool to extract it instantly.
03Why do I need a YouTube channel ID?
Channel IDs are required for the YouTube Data API, Google Analytics custom channel groupings, third-party analytics tools (Social Blade, VidIQ), RSS feed subscriptions (the format is youtube.com/feeds/videos.xml?channel_id=UCxxx), and advertising platform channel targeting.
04What's the difference between a channel ID and a channel handle?
A channel ID (UCxxxx) is a permanent technical identifier. A channel handle (@name) is a custom, human-readable username that creators choose — similar to a Twitter handle. Handles can be changed; channel IDs never change.
05Can every YouTube channel have a custom URL?
Custom URLs (@handles) are available to all YouTube channels. Previously, custom URLs required 100+ subscribers and a channel photo, but YouTube has since opened handles to all channels. The old custom URL format (youtube.com/c/name) is being phased out in favor of handles.