> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.whapi.cloud/help-desk/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.whapi.cloud/help-desk/faq/chat-id.-what-is-it-and-how-to-get-it.md).

# How to find a Chat/group ID

Where to get the chat\_id?

A chat ID identifies a private conversation, group or WhatsApp Channel. When sending a message, pass it in the `to` field.

#### Contact ID

To send a message to a person, use their phone number in full international format, without a plus sign, spaces or parentheses. For example: `61399145883`.

The full chat ID looks like this: `61399145883@s.whatsapp.net`.

API responses and webhooks may also identify a contact by an ID such as `218876465958956@lid`. Use the ID as received, without changing it. Read more: [WhatsApp LID (@lid)](/help-desk/faq/whatsapp-lid-lid.md).

#### Group chat ID

**How can I see my WhatsApp groups and find a group ID?**

Use [Get Groups](https://whapi.readme.io/reference/getgroups) to get the list of groups for your connected WhatsApp number. Find the group by its name and copy its `id` field.

Example: `120363194050948049@g.us`. To send a message to that group, pass this ID in the `to` field.

Older groups may have an ID such as `123456789-1586941261@g.us`. Use the ID exactly as you received it.

#### WhatsApp Channel ID (newsletter)

Use [Get Newsletters](https://whapi.readme.io/reference/getnewsletters) to get the list of WhatsApp Channels and take the `id` field of the channel you need.

Example: `120363171743427809@newsletter`.

This is the ID of a WhatsApp Channel, not the Channel ID of your connection in the Whapi.Cloud dashboard.

#### Where else can I get a Chat ID?

* From the list of chats: [Get Chats](https://whapi.readme.io/reference/getchats).
* From message data: the `chat_id` field in an API response (such as [Get Messages](https://whapi.readme.io/reference/getmessages)) or an [incoming webhook](/help-desk/receiving/webhooks.md#what-kind-of-response-comes-in-webhook).
* When creating a group through the API: its ID is returned in the response.

**A message ID and a chat ID are different identifiers.** Use the chat ID to select the recipient.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Other IDs you may come across**

* `…@bot` — a chat with the Meta AI bot.
* `"from": "@unknown"` in channel posts — subscribers cannot see which admin published the post.

{% endhint %}