UPI ID Validator
Finance & Indian IDsValidate whether a UPI ID follows the correct username@handle format used by NPCI. Instant browser-side check — no sign-up, nothing stored.
What is a UPI ID?
The UPI ID Validator checks whether a given UPI ID (also called a Virtual Payment Address or VPA) follows the correct structural format defined by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). A UPI ID is the human-readable address used to send and receive money through India's Unified Payments Interface — every UPI transaction is routed using a VPA in the form username@handle.
UPI has become the backbone of digital payments in India, processing over 13 billion transactions per month. Every bank account linked to UPI is assigned at least one VPA. The format is deliberately simple — no bank account number or IFSC code needs to change hands — but small errors in the ID (a missing '@', an invalid character, or a handle that starts with a digit) mean the payment cannot be resolved by the NPCI network.
This validator checks the structural rules: the presence and uniqueness of the '@' symbol, username length and character constraints, and handle format requirements. It also recognises well-known handles and names the associated bank or payment service provider, giving you an additional sanity check on the handle part.
For a complete payments-related workflow, pair this with the IFSC Code Validator and the PAN Number Validator.
How to use this UPI ID calculator
- Type or paste the UPI ID into the input field (e.g.
name@upior9876543210@paytm). - The result updates automatically as you type — no button press needed.
- Check the Valid or Invalid badge.
- If Invalid, read the error message to identify the specific issue — missing '@', invalid characters, or a username that is too short.
- If Valid, check the details section to see the username and handle split out, and whether the handle is associated with a known bank.
- To validate a different ID, clear the field and enter the new value.
Formula & Methodology
Format rules: - Must contain exactly one@symbol - Username (before@): 2–256 characters, containing only letters, digits, dots (.), hyphens (-), underscores (_), or plus signs (+) - Handle (after@): starts with a letter, followed by 1–64 characters of letters, digits, dots, or hyphens Regular expression:/^[\w.\-+]{2,256}@[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9.\-]{1,64}$/Valid examples: -name@upi— simple NPCI generic format -9876543210@paytm— mobile-number username with Paytm handle -rahul.sharma@oksbi— name with dots, Google Pay/SBI handle -business+pay@icici— plus sign in username Invalid examples: -name— missing@-@oksbi— empty username -n@— handle is empty -user name@upi— space in username -user@1icici— handle starts with a digit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UPI ID?
A UPI ID (also called a Virtual Payment Address or VPA) is a unique handle that identifies a bank account on India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) network. It follows the format username@handle, where the handle is a short code associated with a specific bank or payment app. For example, 9876543210@paytm or rahul.sharma@oksbi are both UPI IDs. The UPI system is operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
What format does a UPI ID follow?
A UPI ID must contain exactly one '@' symbol. The part before '@' (the username) must be at least 2 characters and no more than 256 characters; it may contain letters, digits, dots, hyphens, underscores, and plus signs. The part after '@' (the handle) must start with a letter and can contain letters, digits, dots, and hyphens, up to 64 characters. Common examples include name@upi, 9999999999@paytm, user@oksbi, and user@ybl.
Does this validator confirm that a UPI ID is active or linked to a real account?
No. This tool validates only the structural format of the UPI ID — it does not contact NPCI, any bank, or any payment app to confirm whether the ID is registered or capable of receiving payments. A format-valid UPI ID could belong to an inactive account, a deleted VPA, or simply be a plausible string that no one has claimed. For payment apps, the actual registration check happens when you initiate a payment and the app resolves the VPA.
What are common UPI handles and which banks do they belong to?
Some well-known handles include @oksbi (Google Pay via SBI), @okaxis (Google Pay via Axis), @okhdfcbank (Google Pay via HDFC), @ybl (PhonePe via Yes Bank), @paytm (Paytm Payments Bank), @apl and @rapl (Amazon Pay), @icici (ICICI Bank direct), @sbi (SBI direct), and @upi (NPCI generic). The validator recognises these common handles and names the associated institution when it detects one.
Can a UPI ID contain my phone number?
Yes. Many payment apps assign UPI IDs in the format mobilenumber@bankhandle — for example 9876543210@paytm or 9876543210@oksbi. This is a common and valid format. The phone number is used as the username, and the handle identifies which bank or app manages the account.
Is my UPI ID stored or sent anywhere when I validate it?
No. Validation runs entirely in your browser. Your UPI ID is never transmitted to any server, stored in a database, or shared with any third party. The tool works entirely offline once the page has loaded.
What happens if someone sends money to a UPI ID that does not exist?
When you initiate a UPI payment, the payment app performs a VPA resolution check against the NPCI network before allowing the transaction. If the VPA is not registered, the app shows an error such as 'Invalid UPI ID' or 'VPA not found' and the transaction does not proceed. Money cannot be transferred to a non-existent UPI ID.
Can I create my own custom UPI ID?
Yes. Most UPI-enabled apps allow you to create a custom VPA in addition to the auto-assigned mobile-number-based one. For example, Paytm allows you to set a custom ID like yourname@paytm. The username part can be customised; the handle is determined by the bank or app you use. Custom IDs are subject to availability — another user may have already claimed the same username on the same handle.
What is a VPA and is it the same as a UPI ID?
Yes, VPA (Virtual Payment Address) and UPI ID are two names for the same thing. NPCI's technical documentation uses the term VPA, while consumer-facing apps and everyday usage refer to it as a UPI ID or UPI address. They are identical in format and function.
Why does the handle part of a UPI ID matter?
The handle identifies which bank or payment service provider (PSP) manages the linked account. Different handles are operated by different banks under NPCI's UPI framework. If you change your primary bank, you may receive a new UPI ID with a different handle. Some handles are exclusive to specific payment apps (e.g. @ybl is used only by PhonePe), while others are operated directly by banks (e.g. @sbi, @icici).
How do I find my UPI ID?
You can find your UPI ID in the profile or settings section of any UPI-enabled app (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM, etc.). In BHIM, go to Profile; in PhonePe, check My Money → UPI IDs; in Google Pay, tap your profile picture. Your bank's mobile app may also show your UPI ID under the payments or account section.