---
name: "Channel IDs"
type: topic
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Channel_IDs
revid: 376795
updated: 2025-11-20T17:35:01Z
---

# Channel IDs

In Arma 3, chat, radio, VON and markers all use the same channel ID system. However, channel IDs for custom channels behave a bit differently. This is explained in the table below.

### Description

> [!NOTE]
> "Content" designates anything channel-related: markers, messages, voice.

| Channel ID | Channel Name | Visible To | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| -1 | None | All players. | Is used when a marker is created with [createMarker](../commands/createMarker.md) and the **channelID** parameter was not defined. Markers in "none" channel are visible in all other channels as well. |
| 0 | Global | All players. |  |
| 1 | Side | Content is only visible to the [side](../commands/side.md) of the player who created it. |  |
| 2 | Command |  |  |
| 3 | Group | Content is only visible for the players in the group of the player who created it. | This channel cannot be disabled. It's the default fallback channel if all other channels are disabled. |
| 4 | Vehicle | Content is only visible to the vehicle's crew. |  |
| 5 | Direct | Players in close proximity. |  |
| 6..15<br>26..65 | Custom Channels | Content will only be available for players which have been assigned to this channel. See [radioChannelAdd](../commands/radioChannelAdd.md). | Custom channels can be created on the fly. See [radioChannelCreate](../commands/radioChannelCreate.md).<br>> [!WARNING]<br>> The **custom channel ID** returned by [radioChannelCreate](../commands/radioChannelCreate.md) is going to be in a range from 1 to 50 (0 if failed).<br>><br>> Internally, these numbers are converted to the **channel IDs** 6..15 and 26..65 (notice the additionaloffset) which are reserved for custom channels.<br>><br>> \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|<br>> \|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|<br>> \| Channel ID \| **6** \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| 10 \| 11 \| 12 \| 13 \| 14 \| **15** \|<br>> \| Custom Channel ID \| **1** \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| **10** \|<br>><br>> **since Arma 3 v2.22**<br>><br>> \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|<br>> \|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|<br>> \| Channel ID \| **26** \| 27 \| 28 \| 29 \| 30 \| 31 \| 32 \| 33 \| 34 \| 35 \| 36 \| 37 \| 38 \| 39 \| 40 \| 41 \| 42 \| 43 \| 44 \| **45** \|<br>> \| Custom Channel ID \| **11** \| 12 \| 13 \| 14 \| 15 \| 16 \| 17 \| 18 \| 19 \| 20 \| 21 \| 22 \| 23 \| 24 \| 25 \| 26 \| 27 \| 28 \| 29 \| **30** \|<br>><br>> \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|  \|<br>> \|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|<br>> \| Channel ID \| **46** \| 47 \| 48 \| 49 \| 50 \| 51 \| 52 \| 53 \| 54 \| 55 \| 56 \| 57 \| 58 \| 59 \| 60 \| 61 \| 62 \| 63 \| 64 \| **65** \|<br>> \| Custom Channel ID \| **31** \| 32 \| 33 \| 34 \| 35 \| 36 \| 37 \| 38 \| 39 \| 40 \| 41 \| 42 \| 43 \| 44 \| 45 \| 46 \| 47 \| 48 \| 49 \| **50** \| |
| 16 | System | All players, dedicated and headless client. | System messages like "Player connecting" or scripted from [systemChat](../commands/systemChat.md). |

### Colours

```sqf
driver vehicle player sideChat "sideChat";
driver vehicle player globalChat "globalChat";
driver vehicle player groupChat "groupChat";
vehicle player vehicleChat "vehicleChat";
driver vehicle player commandChat "commandChat";
driver vehicle player customChat [1, "customChat"];
systemChat "systemChat";
```

### Changing Channels

**Ingame Controls:** <kbd>,</kbd> and <kbd>.</kbd> cycle through the channels

**Scripting:** [setCurrentChannel](../commands/setCurrentChannel.md)

### Custom Channel Example

```sqf
// Create custom channel
_customChannelID = radioChannelCreate [[0.96, 0.34, 0.13, 0.8], "Q-dance Radio", "%UNIT_NAME", [player]]; // _customChannelID is 1

// Switch current channel of the player to the newly created channel.
setCurrentChannel (_customChannelID + 5); // Note the channel ID used here. Even though the ID returned by radioChannelCreate is 1, we have to use 6 as channel ID - see table above.

// Let us use this channel for a message
player customChat [_customChannelID, "Hi, I am a custom chat message"]; // Since this command uses the customChannelID we have to use 1 (_customChannelID) here
```

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Always be aware of what kind of channel ID you are currently working with and what channel ID is expected by the command you are using.
> See Command Group: Custom Radio and Chat for commands which expect a customChannelID.

### See Also

- Command Group: Markers
- Command Group: Custom Radio and Chat
- Command Group: Radio and Chat

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — Channel IDs](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Channel_IDs) (revision 376795).</sub>