How to Get Google Analytics Number
Trying to install Google Analytics on your site and can't find that all-important tracking number? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common hurdles for anyone setting up website analytics for the first time. This article will show you exactly where to find your Google Analytics ID and what to do with it, stripping away the technical jargon and getting straight to the point.
First Things First: What 'Google Analytics Number' Do You Need?
Before you start digging through menus, it's helpful to know which "number" you're actually looking for. The term can be a bit vague, but people are usually referring to one of two main identifiers:
The GA4 Measurement ID: This is the current standard. It starts with a "G-" and looks something like
G-123XYZ456. If you set up Google Analytics anytime after late 2020, this is the ID you'll have and the one most modern tools require.The Universal Analytics (UA) Tracking ID: This is the older format. It starts with "UA-" and looks like
UA-12345678-1. Universal Analytics was officially phased out on July 1, 2023, and no longer processes new data. However, some older website themes or plugins might still ask for this format.
For almost everyone today, the GA4 Measurement ID ("G-") is the number you need. Let’s cover how to find that first.
Finding Your GA4 Measurement ID (The "G-" Number)
Grabbing your GA4 ID is a simple process once you know the path. Just follow these steps, and you'll have it in under a minute.
Step 1: Log in to Google Analytics
Head over to the Google Analytics website and sign in with the Google account you used to create the property. If you have access to multiple accounts, make sure you've selected the correct one from the dropdown at the top left.
Step 2: Navigate to the Admin Section
Once you’re logged in, look for the gear icon labeled "Admin" at the bottom-left corner of the page. Click on it. This is the control panel for all your accounts and settings.
Step 3: Select Your Property
The Admin page has three columns: Account, Property, and View (or data-display options for GA4). In the "Property" column, ensure you have the correct website property selected from the dropdown menu. If you only have one website connected, it should be selected by default.
Step 4: Go to Data Streams
Still in the "Property" column, find and click on "Data Streams." A data stream is essentially a source of data flowing into your Google Analytics property—in this case, your website.
Step 5: Choose Your Web Stream
You'll see a list of your data streams. For a typical website setup, you'll have one stream listed for your site under the "Web" platform. Click on it to open the stream details.
Step 6: Copy Your Measurement ID
You found it! Your Measurement ID (starting with "G-") is displayed in the top-right corner of the web stream details page. There’s a convenient copy icon right next to it. Just click that to copy the full ID to your clipboard.
That's it. You now have the number you need to connect your website to Google Analytics 4.
What if a Plugin Still Asks for a Universal Analytics (UA) Number?
This situation can be confusing. You’ve followed the steps, you have your shiny "G-" ID, but your WordPress theme or an old plugin has an input field that specifically asks for a "UA-" number. What gives?
The short answer is that the tool you’re using is outdated. Since Universal Analytics stopped working in mid-2023, you shouldn't rely on it for any new tracking. Simply entering your old UA ID won't track any new visits.
Here’s what to do instead:
Look for an update: First, check if there's a newer version of the theme or plugin that supports GA4. Developers of most reputable tools have updated their integrations.
Use a dedicated plugin: Your best bet is to use a plugin designed for GA4. For WordPress users, tools like Google Site Kit, GA Google Analytics, or MonsterInsights will let you paste your "G-" Measurement ID and handle all the code placement for you.
Switch to Google Tag Manager: The most robust and future-proof solution is to use Google Tag Manager (GTM). While it has a slight learning curve, GTM lets you manage your GA4 tag (and others like Facebook Pixel) without ever touching your website's code or relying on specific plugins.
Trying to find a workaround for a "UA-" field is delaying the inevitable. The best course of action is to migrate to a tool that properly supports GA4.
Is the ID Number the Same as the Tracking Code?
This is another common point of confusion. Your Measurement ID ("G-") and the Google Analytics tracking code are related but not the same thing.
The Measurement ID is just the unique identifier for your data stream. It tells Google Analytics where to send the data.
The Tracking Code (also known as the "global site tag" or "gtag.js") is the full JavaScript snippet that you actually add to your website. This code is what does the work of tracking user behavior and sending it to Google.
Your Measurement ID is located within this block of code. Here’s what the tracking code looks like - notice how the "G-" number is part of it:
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Typically, if you're using a modern plugin or CMS integration, you only need to provide the Measurement ID. The tool handles placing the full JavaScript code for you.
Okay, I Have My Number. Now What?
With your "G-" Measurement ID copied, you’re ready to install it. There are three primary ways to do this, ranging from easy to more technical.
Method 1: Using a CMS Plugin or Theme Setting
This is the most common and easiest method for most people. Platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix have built-in sections or recommend plugins for adding Google Analytics.
For WordPress: Install a plugin like Google's own "Site Kit." During setup, it will automatically find your Google Analytics properties, or you can paste your Measurement ID manually.
For Shopify: Go to your Shopify admin > Online Store > Preferences. There's a "Google Analytics" section where you can paste your tracking code snippet.
For Squarespace: Go to Settings > Advanced > External API Keys. There's a dedicated field for your "Google Analytics Measurement ID."
Look for the "analytics" or "integrations" section in your platform’s settings. You’ll almost always find a simple field to paste your "G-" ID into.
Method 2: Direct Installation in Your Website's HTML
If you have a custom-built site or are comfortable with code, you can install the tracking snippet directly. In Google Analytics, right under your Measurement ID, you'll see a section called "View tag instructions." This will give you the full JavaScript snippet shown above. Copy this entire code block and paste it into the <head> section of every page on your website. Placing it in a shared header file is the most efficient way to do this.
Method 3: Via Google Tag Manager (The Recommended Approach)
Google Tag Manager is a free tool that acts as a middleman for all your tracking scripts. You install the GTM code on your site once, and from then on, you add, edit, or remove tracking tags (like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, etc.) from the GTM interface, never touching your site code again.
Setting up your GA4 tag this way offers more flexibility and makes managing multiple tracking scripts much easier. This is the method most professional marketers and developers use.
How to Check if Your Google Analytics Number is Working
After you've placed your ID or tracking code, you'll want to confirm it’s actually collecting data. Waiting 24-48 hours for data to show up in standard reports is one way, but there's a much faster method.
Use the Realtime report in Google Analytics:
In your GA4 property, navigate to Reports > Realtime from the left-hand menu.
Open your website in a separate browser window (using an incognito window is a good idea to ensure you're not logged into your CMS).
Click around on a few pages.
You should see a new visitor pop up on the Realtime map within 30-60 seconds. If a visitor named "1" appears, your tracking is working correctly! If nothing happens after a few minutes, double-check that you've correctly placed the ID and cleared any caching plugins on your site.
Final Thoughts
Finding your Google Analytics number might seem like a small step, but it's the gateway to understanding how visitors interact with your website. By following the steps above, you can locate your GA4 Measurement ID, get it installed correctly, and confirm that your data is flowing as expected.
Once your analytics data is flowing, the real work of finding insights begins. Instead of struggling with the complex-by-design reports inside GA4, we built Graphed to be the easiest way to get answers from your marketing data. We connect directly to your Google Analytics account so you can describe what you need in plain English. Just ask "Show me my top 10 landing pages by sessions last month" or "Create a dashboard comparing my organic traffic vs. paid traffic," and our AI analyst instantly builds the reports and dashboards for you - no technical skills required.