YouTube Channel ID Finder – Free, No Sign-Up

What is a YouTube channel ID and how do I find it?

A YouTube channel ID is the unique identifier for a channel, a 24-character string that always starts with "UC" (for example, UCabc123...). To find it from any video, paste the video's URL into the tool above and it returns the channel ID instantly. You need the channel ID, not the @handle, for embeds, the YouTube API, and RSS feeds.

YouTube shows you the friendly channel name and the @handle, but hides the channel ID that developers and tools actually need. The channel ID is what you use to pull a channel's uploads, build an RSS feed, or embed a channel's live stream on a website. Digging it out of the page source by hand is tedious, which is why this tool exists.

How to find a YouTube channel ID from a video

Open the YouTube video and copy its URL (the watch, youtu.be, embed, or Shorts link all work).
Paste it into the box above and press Find Channel ID.
Copy the channel ID (it starts with UC). That's the value you plug into an API call, feed, or embed.

Frequently asked questions

What is a YouTube channel ID?

It's the unique, permanent identifier for a YouTube channel: a 24-character string that starts with "UC". Unlike the channel name or @handle, it never changes, which is why APIs, RSS feeds, and embed tools rely on it.

How do I find my own channel's ID?

Open any video on your channel, copy its URL, and paste it into the tool above. You can also find it in YouTube Studio under Settings, then Channel, then Advanced settings.

Why does a channel ID start with UC?

"UC" is the prefix YouTube assigns to every channel ID. A related detail: swapping the "UC" for "UU" gives you the channel's uploads playlist ID, which is handy for pulling recent videos.

Is this tool free, and do I need an account?

It's completely free with no account, no API key, and no limits for normal use. Paste a URL and get the channel ID.