How to Get Video ID from a YouTube URL

If you are a content creator, video marketer, or just an avid YouTube user, you may need to extract the video ID from a YouTube URL for various reasons. It could be for tracking, analytics, or just for sharing the video with others. However, not everyone knows how to extract the video ID from a YouTube URL. In this article, we will show you how to easily get the video ID from a YouTube URL using simple steps.

Understanding YouTube Video URLs

Before we dive into how to extract the video ID, it is essential to understand YouTube video URLs. YouTube URLs come in different formats, but they all have the same basic components. The format is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= or https://youtu.be/. The video ID is a unique string of characters that identifies the specific video on YouTube.

Method 1: Extracting Video ID from a YouTube URL using Manual Method

The manual method involves copying the entire YouTube URL and then locating the video ID manually. This method is straightforward and requires no additional tools. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Copy the YouTube URL

The first step is to copy the entire YouTube URL that you want to extract the video ID from. You can do this by highlighting the URL and pressing Ctrl+C or right-clicking the URL and selecting “Copy.”

Step 2: Locate the Video ID

The next step is to locate the video ID. For YouTube URLs in the format https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=, the video ID is the string of characters after the equal sign (=). For example, in the URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_n-z3pijee, the video ID is t_n-z3pijee.

For URLs in the format https://youtu.be/, the video ID is the string of characters after the forward slash (/). For example, in the URL https://youtu.be/t_n-z3pijee, the video ID is t_n-z3pijee.

Method 2: Extracting Video ID from a YouTube URL using Online Tools

If you don’t want to extract the video ID manually, several online tools can help you extract the video ID quickly. Here are some of the most popular online tools:

Step 1: Copy the YouTube URL

The first step is to copy the entire YouTube URL that you want to extract the video ID from.

Step 2: Choose an Online Tool

Next, choose an online tool that you want to use to extract the video ID. Some popular tools include:

• YouTube Data Viewer
• YouTube Video ID Finder
• YouTube Thumbnail Grabber

Step 3: Paste the YouTube URL

Once you have chosen an online tool, paste the YouTube URL into the provided text box and click the “Extract” or “Get Video ID” button.

Step 4: Get the Video ID

The online tool will extract the video ID and display it on the screen. You can then copy the video ID and use it for tracking, analytics, or sharing the video.

Here are Some Examples of Youtube Video URLs to IDs

Conclusion

Extracting the video ID from a YouTube URL is essential for various reasons, and it is a simple process that anyone can do. Whether you choose to use the manual method or an online tool, it only takes a few steps to get the video ID. So the next time you need to extract a video ID from a YouTube URL, follow the steps outlined in this article, and you’ll be good to go.