diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index c6a31ea..9f9fcd2 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -438,6 +438,15 @@ function M.has_layer(layer_name, map_id)
     return m.layers and m.layers[layer_name] ~= nil
 end
 
+function M.cell_gid(layer_name, x, y, map_id)
+    local id = map_id or current_map_id
+    if not id then error("maps.cell_gid: no current map") end
+    local m = map_registry[id]
+    if not m.layers or not m.layers[layer_name] then return 0 end
+    if x < 0 or x >= m.size.w or y < 0 or y >= m.size.h then return 0 end
+    return m.layers[layer_name].tiles[y * m.size.w + x + 1] or 0
+end
+
 function M.is_indoor(x, y, map_id)
     local id = map_id or current_map_id
     if not id then error("maps.is_indoor: no current map") end