If you’re setting up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on your website or app, one of the first things you’ll need is your Measurement ID. Without it, you can’t track visitor behavior, measure engagement, or gather the insights that help you grow your online presence.
But if you’re new to GA4, you might be asking: Where do I find my GA4 Measurement ID? We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the GA4 Measurement ID, including what it is, why it’s important, and exactly where to locate it.
What is a GA4 Measurement ID?
The Measurement ID in GA4 is a unique identifier tied to your specific data stream — whether that’s a website, an iOS app, or an Android app.
It’s similar to the old “Tracking ID” from Universal Analytics (the one that started with “UA-“). In GA4, the Measurement ID looks like this:
G-XXXXXXXXXX
Every time a page loads or an event happens, the Measurement ID tells GA4 where to send that data. It ensures that the information collected from your site or app lands in the right analytics property.
Why Is the GA4 Measurement ID Important?
Without the correct Measurement ID:
- Your website or app will not send any data to GA4.
- You won’t be able to track page views, events, conversions, or user journeys.
- Your marketing efforts will lack critical insights like user engagement, audience demographics, and conversion rates.
Simply put, the Measurement ID connects your site to GA4 — and it’s a crucial first step in setting up effective analytics.
Where to Find GA4 Measurement ID: Step-by-Step Instructions
Finding your GA4 Measurement ID is quick and easy if you know where to look. Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1: Log Into Your Google Analytics Account
Go to analytics.google.com and log in with your Google account that has access to your GA4 property.
Step 2: Select the Correct GA4 Property
After logging in, you’ll see a list of all the Analytics properties you have access to.
Make sure to select your GA4 property — not an old Universal Analytics one (which is marked as “UA”).
Tip: GA4 properties typically have simpler names and no “UA-” prefix.
Step 3: Go to Admin Settings
On the left sidebar, look for the gear icon labeled Admin at the bottom corner. Click on it.
This will take you to the Admin panel where you can manage all property and account settings.
Step 4: Choose Data Streams
In the Property column (middle column), find and click Data Streams.
You’ll see all the data streams connected to that GA4 property — for example:
- A website data stream
- An iOS app data stream
- An Android app data stream
Step 5: Select Your Data Stream
If you have multiple streams, choose the one you want to get the Measurement ID for (typically your website).
Click on the data stream’s name — this opens its settings.
Step 6: Find the Measurement ID
At the top-right of the data stream detail page, you’ll see your Measurement ID. It looks like:
G-XXXXXXXXXX
And that’s it! Now you have your GA4 Measurement ID ready to use for tracking.
Real-World Example: Setting up GA4 for a Shopify Store
Let’s say you own a Shopify store called “UrbanGlow Cosmetics.”
You recently heard that GA4 is the future of Google Analytics and decided to install it on your site to track how customers move from product pages to checkout.
After creating a GA4 property in your Google Analytics account, you follow the steps above:
- You go to Admin → Data Streams → Click on your Shopify store stream.
- You locate your Measurement ID, something like G-5GH2B3X9JL.
- You copy the Measurement ID and paste it into your Shopify Admin dashboard under Online Store → Preferences → Google Analytics section.
Within a few hours, you start seeing real-time users, traffic sources, and purchase events inside your GA4 reports.
All this is made possible because you successfully found and installed your GA4 Measurement ID.
This real-world example shows just how crucial finding and using the Measurement ID correctly can be for running a modern eCommerce business.
Additional Tips for Using the Measurement ID
Now that you have your Measurement ID, here’s what you can do with it:
- Install GA4 manually: Add the Measurement ID into your website’s
<head>
section using the global site tag (gtag.js
). - Use Google Tag Manager (GTM): If you use GTM, simply create a new GA4 Configuration Tag and paste your Measurement ID.
- Connect to CMS platforms: Platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Wix often ask for your GA4 Measurement ID to connect analytics plugins or settings.
No matter the method, your Measurement ID is the bridge between your site and Google Analytics 4.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While finding the GA4 Measurement ID is straightforward, here are a few common mistakes to watch out for:
- Mixing up properties: Double-check that you’re pulling the Measurement ID from a GA4 property, not an old Universal Analytics (UA) property.
- Wrong data stream: If you have separate streams for websites and apps, be sure to select the correct one.
- Not copying the full ID: Make sure you copy the entire ID, starting with the “G-“. Missing even one character will cause tracking errors.
Taking a moment to double-check these details can save you from hours of troubleshooting later.
FAQs About GA4 Measurement ID
Q1. Can I have multiple Measurement IDs in one GA4 property?
No, each data stream in GA4 has its own Measurement ID. A single GA4 property can have multiple data streams (each with one Measurement ID).
Q2. Can I change my Measurement ID later?
No, the Measurement ID is automatically generated and tied to your data stream. However, you can create a new data stream if needed.
Q3. Is the Measurement ID the same as the Tracking ID?
Not exactly. The Tracking ID (UA-XXXXXXXX) was for Universal Analytics. The Measurement ID (G-XXXXXXXXXX) is for GA4, which is a different system built for event-based tracking.