How to Get Google Analytics ID for My Website

Trying to find your Google Analytics ID can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but it's usually just a few clicks away once you know where to look. Whether you're setting up a new plugin or configuring a website builder, this unique identifier is the key to connecting your site to Google's powerful analytics platform. This tutorial will show you exactly how to find your Google Analytics ID for both new and old properties, help you through common roadblocks, and explain why it's so important.

What Exactly is a Google Analytics ID?

A Google Analytics ID is a unique string of characters that links your website (or app) to a specific Google Analytics property. Think of it as the mailing address for your website's data. When a user visits your site, the tracking code sends a packet of information to Google's servers, and the ID ensures that data lands in the correct account - yours.

However, not all IDs are created equal. You'll likely encounter one of two types, depending on when you set up your account:

Google Analytics 4 Measurement ID: This is the current standard. These IDs begin with a "G-" followed by a combination of letters and numbers (e.g., G-ABC123XYZ4). If you created your account recently, this is the one you'll be working with.
Universal Analytics (UA) Tracking ID: This is the format for the older version of Google Analytics. These IDs start with "UA-" followed by a series of numbers (e.g., UA-00112233-1). While Universal Analytics was officially phased out in July 2023, you might still need to find this ID for historical reference or to manage older integrations.

Why This String of Characters Is So Important

Your Measurement ID (or old Tracking ID) is the essential link in the data-collection chain. Without it, Google Analytics has no way to associate incoming traffic data with your property. You'll need it to configure monitoring on your website in several common scenarios:

Content Management Systems (CMS): Most WordPress plugins for GA, like MonsterInsights or Google Site Kit, will ask you to provide this ID to automatically install the tracking code.
Website Builders: Platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and Webflow have a dedicated field in their settings where you paste your ID to enable analytics.
Google Tag Manager (GTM): A GA4 Configuration tag in GTM requires your Measurement ID to send data to the right property.
Manual Installation: If you're embedding the tracking script directly into your website's <head>, the script itself contains this unique ID.

How to Find Your Google Analytics 4 Measurement ID

For any website set up after 2020, and for all new analytics work, the GA4 Measurement ID is what you're looking for. The process is straightforward once you're logged into the right account.

Here’s the step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Log in to Google Analytics

Head over to the Google Analytics website and log in with the Google account associated with your property. If you have multiple accounts, be sure to select the correct one.

Step 2: Go to the Admin Section

Look for the gear icon labeled Admin in the bottom-left corner of the sidebar and click it. This is the central hub for all your account and property settings.

Step 3: Select the Correct Account and Property

On the Admin screen, you'll see two columns: Account and Property.

In the Account column, use the dropdown menu to choose the account that houses your website's data.
In the Property column, select the correct GA4 property for your website. GA4 properties lack the "UA-" prefix underneath their names.

Step 4: Navigate to Data Streams

With the correct property selected, look under the Property column for an option called Data Streams. Click on it. A data stream is essentially a source of data flowing into your Analytics property — in this case, your website.

Step 5: Select Your Web Data Stream

You will now see a list of data streams associated with your property. For most websites, there will be only one, typically named after your website address. Click on it to open the stream details.

Step 6: Copy Your Measurement ID

You've found it! On the Web stream details page, your Measurement ID will be clearly displayed in the top-right corner. It will start with "G-". You can click the copy icon next to it to add it to your clipboard, ready to be pasted wherever you need it.

How to Find an Old Universal Analytics (UA) Tracking ID

As mentioned, Universal Analytics has been sunsetted, and it no longer processes new data. However, there might be cases where you need to find your old "UA-" ID, perhaps for auditing old connections or for documentation. The path is slightly different from the GA4 process.

Here’s how to uncover it:

Step 1: Sign in and Go to 'Admin'

Just like before, log in to your Google Analytics account and click the Admin gear icon in the bottom-left corner.

Step 2: Choose Your Universal Analytics Property

In the Property column, use the dropdown to select your UA property. You'll be able to distinguish it from a GA4 property because it will display an ID starting with "UA-" directly under its name.

Step 3: Open 'Tracking Info'

Once you've selected the correct UA property, look for the Tracking Info option in the Property column. Click it to expand a submenu.

Step 4: Click 'Tracking Code'

In the expanded submenu, click on Tracking Code. This page contains all the details connected to your classic Google Analytics tag.

Step 5: Locate Your Tracking ID

Your Tracking ID will be displayed prominently at the top of the page, formatted as UA-XXXXXXXX-X. You'll also see the global site tag (gtag.js) script here, which contains the same ID.

Troubleshooting: Common Roadblocks and Quick Fixes

Sometimes things don't go as planned. If you've hit a snag, one of these common issues is likely the culprit.

"I Can't See the 'Admin' Section or Certain Settings."

This is almost always a permissions issue. To access settings like Data Streams or Tracking Info, you need to have "Editor" level access (or higher) for the Google Analytics property. If you can't see these options, it means you have "Viewer" permissions. You'll need to contact the person who owns the account and ask them to upgrade your access.

"I'm Stuck. I Don't see a 'Data Streams' or 'Tracking Info' Option."

You are probably looking at the wrong property type. Remember:

Data Streams only appear for GA4 properties.
Tracking Info only appears for Universal Analytics properties.

Go back to the Admin screen, look at the dropdown menu in the Property column, and make sure you've selected the right kind of property for the ID you need to find.

"Can I Find the ID in My Website's Code?"

Yes, this is an excellent backup plan! If you have the tracking code installed, the ID is already on your site. Just follow these steps:

Go to your website in a browser.
Right-click on the page and select View Page Source (or press Ctrl+U on Windows, Cmd+Option+U on Mac).
A new tab will open with your site's HTML code. Press Ctrl+F or Cmd+F to open the find toolbar.
Search for "G-" to find a GA4 ID or "UA-" to locate a Universal Analytics ID. You should see it embedded inside a JavaScript snippet.

Note: If you use Google Tag Manager, you might only find a GTM container ID (e.g., GTM-XXXXXXX) in the source code. In that case, you'll still need to log into GA to find your specific "G-" Measurement ID.

Final Thoughts

Finding your Google Analytics ID, whether it’s a newer G- series Measurement ID or an older UA- prefix Tracking ID, comes down to navigating the Admin section of your account. Once located, you can plug it into your tools and plugins to ensure all of your valuable user data is captured correctly and sent to the right place.

Of course, successfully installing your tracking ID is just the first step. The real challenge comes from pulling insights out of the mountains of data you start collecting. At Graphed, we made that part easier by connecting directly to your Google Analytics account. You can instantly create real-time reports and dashboards just by describing what you want to see in simple, plain English — no technical expertise required.