Paste a channel link, @handle or video link, or type a channel name. You get the channel ID that starts with UC, the uploads playlist ID and the RSS feed.
Paste a link or type a name above. The channel ID appears here.
Every YouTube channel has an ID of 24 characters that starts with UC, for example UCX6OQ3DkcsbYNE6H8uQQuVA for MrBeast. YouTube gives it once, when the channel is created, and it never changes. The name and the @handle can change at any time, so tools, scripts and the YouTube API use the ID to know which channel is meant.
Find the ID yourself
For your own channel, open YouTube's settings and go to Advanced settings: the channel ID is there with a copy button. For any other channel, open the channel page, click the description to open the About panel, then choose Share channel and Copy channel ID. Old links like youtube.com/channel/UC... already contain the ID.
How this finder works
A channel link or @handle is looked up on YouTube, which answers with the channel's ID. For a video link, YouTube first tells us which channel posted it. A name goes through YouTube's channel search, so you see the closest channels and pick the right one. Only public information is used, and you never need to log in.
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What the uploads playlist and RSS feed are for
Every channel has a playlist with all of its public uploads. Its ID is the channel ID with UC swapped for UU, and it opens as youtube.com/playlist?list=UU... The YouTube Data API reads a channel's new videos from this playlist.
The RSS feed lists the channel's 15 newest videos. Feed readers can follow it, and a bot can post every new upload to a Discord or Slack channel without an API key.
No. The ID is fixed for the life of the channel. A new name or a new @handle does not change it.
What is the difference between the channel ID and the @handle?
The @handle, like @MrBeast, is the short name people type, and the owner can change it. The channel ID is the permanent code of 24 characters that starts with UC. Tools and the YouTube API ask for the ID.
Why does it say to try again?
Now and then YouTube does not answer for a moment. Wait a minute and search again. A private or removed video does not show its channel: paste the channel link instead.
