---
reference:
  curl:
    - key: get_user_by_external_id
      id: get_user_by_external_id
      url: /reference/authkit/user/get-by-external-id
      title: '/user_management/users/external_id/:external_id'
      type: GET
      parameters:
        - key: external_id
          type: string
          description: (user.external_id)
      returns:
        - (user)
  js:
    - key: getUserByExternalId
      patternBefore: userManagement.
      id: get_user_by_external_id
      url: /reference/authkit/user/get-by-external-id
      title: userManagement.getUserByExternalId()
      type: GET
      parameters:
        - key: externalId
          type: string
          description: (user.external_id)
      returns:
        - (User)
  python:
    - key: get_user_by_external_id
      patternBefore: user_management.
      id: get_user_by_external_id
      url: /reference/authkit/user/get-by-external-id
      title: user_management.get_user_by_external_id()
      parameters:
        - key: external_id
          type: str
          description: (user.external_id)
      returns:
        - (User)
originalPath: >-
  .tmp-workos-clone/packages/docs/content/reference/authkit/user/get-by-external-id.mdx
---

## Get a user by external ID

Get the details of an existing user by an [external identifier](/authkit/metadata/external-identifiers).

<CodeBlock referenceId="get_user_by_external_id">
  <CodeBlockTab title="Request" file="get-user-by-external-id-request" />
  <CodeBlockTab title="Response" file="get-user-response" />
</CodeBlock>