Search by Numeric ID in Telegram Lookup

Every Telegram account, group and channel has a numeric ID. Send one to @doublegram_lookup_bot and Lookup tells you who or what it belongs to.

One thing to know first: with a person's ID alone, Telegram often doesn't say who it is. It only shows a person to accounts that have already come across them. When that happens, Lookup tells you, the search isn't counted, and you have two ways to get the answer: forward one of their messages, or search their username.

How to search by numeric ID

1. Copy the ID: just the digits, with the minus sign if there is one.
2. Send it to @doublegram_lookup_bot.
3. Lookup replies with the result.

Lookup accepts IDs from 7 to 13 digits, not counting the minus sign.

ID formats

• People and bots: a positive number, like 123456789
• Basic groups: a negative number, like -123456789
• Supergroups and channels: a negative number starting with -100, like -1001234567890

Send the ID with its sign: that's how Lookup knows whether to look for a person or a chat. More in How to find a Telegram ID.

When ID lookup fails

With an ID alone, Telegram only lets Lookup see the people, groups and channels it has already come across, for example people who have written to Lookup or whose messages were forwarded to it.

• A person's ID: Lookup replies With just the ID, Telegram doesn't let me see who it is. Forward one of their messages, even an old one, or send their username.
• A group or channel ID: Lookup replies I can't read this group or channel. For a public one, send its username or t.me link instead. For a private one, use its invite link or forward one of its posts.
• A wrong ID: a missing digit or minus sign gives the same answers. Check the number.

None of these count toward your daily searches.

ID vs username

• The username is easy to read, but its owner can change it or remove it, and many accounts don't have one.
• The ID is given by Telegram, every account has one, and a person's ID never changes.

So when Lookup finds someone, keep their ID: if they change username, the ID still tells you it's them.