How to Find a Telegram Channel ID in 2026

Every Telegram channel has a unique numeric Channel ID that starts with -100. You need this ID for bot integrations, API calls, and channel management tools.

Method 1: Use Our Free Tool

Go to TelegramUserID.com.
Enter the public username of the channel (without the @ symbol).
Your Channel ID is displayed instantly.

Method 2: Forward a Message to @RawDataBot

Open the target channel in Telegram.
Forward any message from the channel to @RawDataBot.
The bot replies with JSON data containing the forward_from_chat.id field, which is the Channel ID.

Method 3: Use the Bot API

Add your bot as an admin to the channel.
Call getChat with chat_id=@channelname.
The response includes the numeric Channel ID.

Private Channels

Private channels do not have a public username, so you cannot look them up by name. Use Method 2 (forwarding) or add a bot as an admin and use the API to retrieve the ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Channel ID start with -100?

Telegram uses the -100 prefix to distinguish channels and supergroups from regular groups and private chats. The full ID (e.g., -1001234567890) is what you pass to API methods.

Can I find a private channel ID without being a member?

No. Private channels have no public username, so you must be a member or admin to retrieve the Channel ID. You can forward a message from the channel to a bot, or add a bot as an admin.