Channel ID

What is a YouTube channel ID?

A channel ID is the unique identifier YouTube assigns to every channel. It sits at the end of the ID-based channel address — in YouTube's own example, youtube.com/channel/UCUZHFZ9jIKrLroW8LcyJEQQ. Apps and services use this ID to refer to your channel.

Why the channel ID matters

The ID-based address does not depend on your channel name or your handle. A handle URL is created automatically whenever you choose or change your handle, so that address moves with the handle, while the ID-based URL carries no name at all. That is why analytics dashboards, ad platforms, RSS readers and API integrations ask for the channel ID instead of a name.

Do not confuse it with Content ID, YouTube's copyright matching system for rights holders. The two are unrelated.

How to find your channel ID

YouTube shows both your user ID and your channel ID in advanced account settings:

1. Sign in to YouTube.

2. In the top right, select your profile picture, then Settings.

3. From the left menu, select Advanced settings.

4. Read your channel's user and channel IDs.

You must be signed in as the channel's primary owner to see this information. You can also copy the ID from the address bar whenever a channel is open through its ID-based URL. Official reference: Find your YouTube user & channel IDs.

Channel ID, handle and the other channel addresses

One channel can have several addresses, and each of them opens the same channel homepage. YouTube documents 4 forms:

• Channel URL (ID-based) — youtube.com/channel/UCUZHFZ9jIKrLroW8LcyJEQQ, built from your unique channel ID.

• Handle URL — youtube.com/@youtubecreators, created automatically when you choose or change your handle.

• Custom URL — youtube.com/c/YouTubeCreators. New custom URLs can no longer be set up or changed, and any you already have keep working.

• Legacy username URL — youtube.com/user/YouTube. Existing usernames cannot be changed.

All legacy URLs now redirect to the handle-based address, and every address linked to your channel is listed at youtube.com/handle. The handle URL also appears in YouTube Studio under Customization → Basic info → Handle. If you are still picking those names, our guide on how to start a YouTube channel covers that first.