Telegram ID Lookup

What is a Telegram ID?

A Telegram ID is a unique numeric identifier assigned to every entity on the Telegram platform, including individual users, groups, channels, and bots. Unlike usernames, which can be changed at any time, a Telegram ID is permanent and never changes once assigned. It is automatically generated when an account is first created and remains the same for the lifetime of that account, regardless of any changes to the username, display name, or profile picture.

Telegram IDs are essential for developers working with the Telegram Bot API, as many API methods require a numeric chat ID rather than a username to send messages, manage groups, or interact with users. They are also useful for administrators who need to identify specific users in groups, particularly when a user does not have a public username set. Understanding how to find and use Telegram IDs is a fundamental skill for anyone who works with Telegram bots, automation, or advanced group management.

Types of Telegram IDs

User IDs

Every Telegram user has a unique numeric ID that is a positive integer. For example, the Telegram founder Pavel Durov has user ID 1. User IDs are assigned sequentially when accounts are created, so lower numbers generally indicate older accounts. User IDs range from 1 to over 7 billion, reflecting the massive number of accounts created on the platform. You can find your own user ID by messaging one of the ID lookup bots listed above, or by using the Bot API method described in our tool.

Chat and Group IDs

Telegram groups have negative numeric IDs. Regular groups have IDs that start with a negative sign (for example, -123456789), while supergroups and channels have IDs that are prefixed with -100 followed by the channel's numeric identifier (for example, -1001234567890). This numbering convention helps developers and the Telegram API distinguish between different types of chats. When working with the Bot API, it is important to use the correct format, including the negative sign, when referencing groups and channels.

Bot IDs

Telegram bots also have unique numeric IDs, just like regular users. A bot's ID is the numeric portion of its bot token — the number before the colon. For example, if a bot token is 123456789:ABCdefGHI, the bot's user ID is 123456789. Bot IDs follow the same positive integer format as regular user IDs and can be used in the same way to reference the bot in API calls and database records.

How to Find a Telegram ID

There are several methods to find a Telegram ID, depending on what information you have available. The simplest method for finding your own ID is to message a Telegram ID bot such as @userinfobot or @getidsbot. Simply open a chat with the bot, send the /start command, and the bot will reply with your numeric user ID. This works instantly and requires no technical knowledge.

To find another user's ID, you can forward one of their messages to an ID lookup bot. The bot will analyze the forwarded message and return the original sender's numeric ID, along with their name and username if available. This method works even if the user does not have a public username, as long as their privacy settings allow forwarding attribution. Note that some users disable this feature in their privacy settings, which prevents the bot from identifying the original sender.

For developers, the most reliable method is using the Telegram Bot API. If a user has interacted with your bot (by sending a message, joining a group where the bot is present, or clicking an inline button), you can retrieve their user ID from the API response. The getUpdates method returns all recent interactions with your bot, including the user ID of each person who sent a message. Our tool supports this method — simply enter your bot token and the system will fetch recent interactions directly from the Telegram API.

Why Do You Need a Telegram ID?

Telegram IDs serve many practical purposes across different use cases. Bot developers need user and chat IDs to send targeted messages through the Bot API, manage group memberships, and implement features like referral tracking and user-specific configurations. Group administrators use Telegram IDs to identify and manage members, especially in large groups where users may not have public usernames.

Automation tools and third-party services that integrate with Telegram require numeric IDs to function correctly, as usernames can change but IDs remain constant. Database developers store Telegram IDs as permanent references to user accounts, ensuring that records remain accurate even if users change their usernames. Security teams use Telegram IDs to track and identify accounts across different groups and contexts where usernames may vary or be absent entirely.

Privacy and Security

Our Telegram ID Lookup tool prioritizes your privacy and security. When you use the username lookup method, the query is processed locally in your browser. When you use the Bot API method, your bot token is sent directly from your browser to Telegram's API servers — it never passes through our servers and is never stored or logged. All recent lookups are saved locally in your browser's localStorage and can be cleared at any time. We recommend never sharing your bot token publicly, and our tool is designed to handle it securely. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. You can also generate links for Telegram profiles using our Telegram Link Generator.