How to Find a YouTube Video ID
Find the unique identifier in standard, short, Shorts, embed, and parameterized YouTube URLs.
Short Answer
A YouTube video ID is the unique string that identifies a video. In a watch URL it is the value after v=; in a youtu.be URL it is the path segment after the domain.
Find the Video ID in a Standard YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
Video ID: dQw4w9WgXcQ
Short, Shorts and Embed URLs
https://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ ID: dQw4w9WgXcQ
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dQw4w9WgXcQ ID: dQw4w9WgXcQ
https://www.youtube.com/embed/dQw4w9WgXcQ ID: dQw4w9WgXcQ
Ignore Extra Parameters
Extract only the video identifier. Do not include playlist IDs, timestamps, tracking values, or the question mark in the ID.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&t=90&list=PL123 ID: dQw4w9WgXcQ
Common Video ID Mistakes
- Copying the entire URL instead of the ID.
- Including ?v= in the result.
- Using a playlist ID as a video ID.
- Including whitespace or a trailing parameter.
- Treating a channel or playlist identifier as a video ID.
Manual Verification Checklist
- Confirm the URL is for a video.
- Extract the value after v= or the supported path segment.
- Stop at the next parameter.
- Check the ID against the video link before using it.
What Can You Do with a Video ID?
A video ID can help you construct a watch URL, short URL, embed URL, or thumbnail URL. Use Video Info & Thumbnail to inspect a public YouTube link without manually parsing it.
Video ID vs Channel vs Playlist ID
A video ID identifies one video. A channel ID identifies a creator channel, while a playlist ID identifies a collection. Do not substitute one for another when building links.
Related Tool
Use the matching tool to complete this task.
Open Video Info & Thumbnail →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the video ID in a YouTube URL?
For a watch URL, it is the value after v=. For supported short, Shorts, and embed URLs, it is the relevant path segment.
Should I include the timestamp parameter?
No. Stop before extra parameters such as t= or list=.
Can I use a video ID to find a thumbnail?
Yes. A video ID is used in common YouTube thumbnail URL patterns, when an image variant is available.