A Telegram ID is a unique identifier that Telegram uses to distinguish you or a chat from everyone else on the platform.

What “Telegram ID” Can Mean

People usually mix up two different things when they say “Telegram ID”:

  • Username (public “@id”) – This is the name that starts with @ (for example, @yourname). You choose it yourself in Settings, and others can search and contact you using it.
  • Numeric user ID (internal ID) – This is a number assigned by Telegram that uniquely identifies your account behind the scenes, often needed for bots, automation, or support.

Both point to the same account, but they are used in different contexts.

Why a Telegram ID Matters

You might be asked for your Telegram ID when:

  • Using bots or automation tools that connect to your account
  • Joining private groups or services that verify you by numeric ID
  • Contacting support or linking your account in third‑party services

Your username is more for humans; your numeric ID is more for apps and bots.

How to Find Your Telegram Username (“@id”)

On mobile or desktop, the idea is the same:

  1. Open Telegram.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Tap or click Username (or Edit profile then Username).
  4. Set or view the existing username that starts with @ – that’s your public Telegram ID.

How to Find Your Numeric Telegram User ID

Telegram doesn’t show this number directly in Settings, so you use a bot.

Typical method (mobile or desktop):

  1. Open Telegram.
  2. Use the search bar and type userinfobot or another “user ID” bot.
  3. Open the bot and press Start.
  4. The bot replies with your numeric user ID and other basic info like your name and language.

Some guides mention similar “raw data” or “user ID” bots that do the same thing.

Quick HTML Table: Username vs Numeric ID

[3][7] [3] [7][3] [6][1] [5][3] [9][1][3]
Type What it looks like Who uses it How to get it
Username (public Telegram ID) @yourname, chosen by youOther users searching or messaging youSettings → Edit profile → Username
Numeric user ID Number like 123456789Bots, services, support toolsChat with userinfobot or similar and press Start

Mini Example

Imagine a forum post says:

“Send me your Telegram ID so I can add you to the bot list.”

They’re usually asking for your numeric user ID (from a bot like userinfobot), not just your @username, because their script checks that number directly.

TL;DR:

  • “Telegram ID” can mean your public @username or your numeric user ID.
  • Use Settings to see or set your @username, and a helper bot (like userinfobot) to get your numeric ID.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.