The YouTube Channel ID Finder extracts the channel identifier, handle, and useful links from any YouTube channel URL. A channel ID (the UC... code) is the permanent identifier that doesn't change even if you rename your channel — it's required for YouTube API integrations, affiliate platforms, and custom subscribe link generation.
YouTube Channel URL
Accepts: /channel/UC..., /@handle, /c/name, /user/name formats
Channel Information
Generated Links
"channelId".
YouTube URL Format Reference
| Format | Example | Channel ID? |
|---|---|---|
/channel/UC... |
youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxx | Yes — in URL |
/@handle |
youtube.com/@Creator | Handle only |
/c/name |
youtube.com/c/ChannelName | Name only |
/user/name |
youtube.com/user/Username | Username only |
How to Find a YouTube Channel ID
A YouTube channel ID is the permanent UC... identifier assigned to every channel. Unlike handles and custom names that can be changed, the channel ID is immutable. It is required for YouTube API usage, certain analytics tools, and building channel-specific links like subscribe buttons.
Method 1: Use This Tool
For /channel/UC... URLs, paste the URL and click Find ID to extract the channel ID directly. The tool also generates the subscribe link, videos page link, and playlists page link automatically.
Method 2: YouTube Studio
If you need your own channel ID: in YouTube Studio, click Settings in the left sidebar, then Channel, then Advanced Settings. Your channel ID is displayed at the bottom of that page. You can also find it at YouTube Studio → Settings → Channel → Advanced → Channel ID.
Method 3: Page Source
For @handle and /c/ URLs where the channel ID isn't in the URL: visit the YouTube channel in your browser, press Ctrl+U (or Cmd+U on Mac) to view page source, then press Ctrl+F to find "channelId". The value in quotes after it is the UC... channel ID. This works for any public YouTube channel.
When Do You Need a Channel ID?
Channel IDs are required for: YouTube Data API v3 requests, the Subscribe Link Generator (to create sub_confirmation links), certain brand partnership platforms, API-based subscriber count widgets, and any third-party tool that queries YouTube's API for channel data. For most use cases like subscribe buttons and channel links, the @handle format works equally well.
FAQ
Is this YouTube channel ID finder free?
Yes, the YouTube Channel ID Finder is completely free. Paste any YouTube channel URL and extract the channel information instantly. No account, no API key, no signup required.
Is my data safe and private?
Yes, all URL parsing happens in your browser. Your channel URL is never sent to any server. The tool parses the URL client-side using standard JavaScript string operations.
What is a YouTube channel ID?
A YouTube channel ID is the unique permanent identifier for a YouTube channel, formatted as UC followed by 22 characters (e.g., UCxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx). Unlike channel handles and custom names which can change, the channel ID is permanent. It appears in the /channel/ URL format and is required for certain API integrations.
Why does the tool say it cannot extract a channel ID from my URL?
Channel IDs (UC...) are only directly visible in /channel/UC... format URLs. For @handle and /c/ custom name URLs, the channel ID is not embedded in the URL itself — YouTube resolves these to channel IDs server-side. This tool can extract the handle or custom name, but cannot retrieve the underlying UC... channel ID without YouTube API access.
How do I find my YouTube channel ID from YouTube Studio?
In YouTube Studio, go to Settings → Channel → Advanced Settings. Your channel ID is shown there. Alternatively, go to your YouTube channel page, right-click, select View Page Source, and search for 'channelId' — the UC... value is your channel ID.
What YouTube URL formats exist?
YouTube channels have four URL formats: /channel/UC... (permanent ID-based URL), /@handle (the newer @handle format), /c/customname (legacy custom URL), and /user/username (oldest legacy format). The /channel/UC... format is the only one that directly exposes the channel ID in the URL.