How to find a Telegram channel ID

A Telegram channel ID is the numeric identifier for a channel. You need it for Bot API integrations. Here is how to get it.

Method 1: Forward a channel post to @print_id_bot

Open @print_id_bot in private chat.
Forward a message from the channel to the bot.
The bot replies with “Forwarded from channel:” plus the channel name and channel ID.

This works when the channel allows forwarding. The bot uses your Telegram language_code for the response; unsupported languages fall back to English.

Method 2: Add the bot as admin (if you own the channel)

Add @print_id_bot to your channel as an administrator.
Post a message in the channel.
The bot receives the update (if it has permission to read messages) and can show the channel ID.

Note: Channel posts are delivered as channel_post updates. The bot may not automatically reply in this flow; check the Bot API for how to get the chat_id from your own bot.

Method 3: Use your own bot

Create a bot via @BotFather.
Add the bot to the channel as admin.

When you post in the channel, your bot receives updates with chat.id (the channel ID). Use /json or /dump in @print_id_bot for forwarded messages to inspect the structure; for your own bot, use your webhook or polling handler.

Limitations

You cannot get a channel ID by channel username alone without posting or forwarding.
Private channels require the bot to be added as admin.
The bot does not automatically list or search channels.

FAQ

Why is the channel ID negative?

Channel IDs are typically negative in the Telegram Bot API. This is by design. See Telegram chat_id format.

Can I get a channel ID without adding a bot?

For forwarded messages, yes: forward a channel post to @print_id_bot and it will show the channel ID. For channels you do not have access to, you cannot get the ID.

What if I get “ID hidden” when forwarding?

That happens when the channel or sender blocks forwarding. Try a different channel or post.

Is channel ID the same as chat_id?

Yes. In the Bot API, channels use the same chat_id field. The ID is the channel’s numeric identifier.

What is the difference between group and channel ID?

Both are chat_id values. Group IDs are for groups/supergroups; channel IDs are for channels. Both can be negative. See group vs supergroup chat_id.

Use @print_id_bot to get channel IDs from forwarded messages.

Open @print_id_bot