Your Steam username is the name you chose when you created your account, and you can find it by logging into Steam on your computer or phone
Your Steam username is different from your display name — it is the account identifier you use to log in, and it does not change. If you have forgotten it, Steam stores it in your account settings, and you can retrieve it in under a minute. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are on a computer or mobile device.
You will need this username if you want to share your profile with someone, add friends using a direct link, or troubleshoot account issues with Steam support. Many people confuse their username with their profile name (the display name other players see), so knowing which one you have matters when you are looking for help online or trying to connect with other players.
Key Takeaways
- Your Steam username is the account name you log in with, not the display name that appears on your profile.
- On a computer, open Steam, click your profile picture in the top right, and select "View Profile" to see your username at the top of the page.
- On the Steam mobile app, tap your avatar, select "View Profile", and your username appears below your display name.
- If you have forgotten your login username, you can recover it by entering your email address on the Steam login page.
Finding your username on a computer
Open the Steam client on your computer and log in if you are not already. Look at the top right corner of the window where you see your profile picture or avatar. Click on it to open a dropdown menu.
Select "View Profile" from the menu. Your profile page will load in the Steam client. At the top of your profile, you will see your username displayed prominently — it is the name that appears next to your avatar and above your display name. This is the account name you use to log in to Steam.
If you want to copy your username to share with someone, right-click on it and select "Copy" if that option appears, or straightforward highlight it and use Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy it to your clipboard.
Finding your username on the Steam mobile app
Open the Steam mobile app on your phone and make sure you are logged in. Tap your profile picture or avatar, which usually appears in the top left or top right corner of the screen depending on your device.
Tap "View Profile" from the menu that appears. Your profile page will open. Your username is displayed below your profile picture and above your display name. The username is the account identifier, while the display name is what other players see on their friends list.
Recovering your username if you have forgotten it
If you cannot log in and do not remember your username, go to the Steam login page on any web browser. Below the login fields, click "Forgot your password?" or look for an account recovery option.
Enter the email address associated with your Steam account. Steam will send you a recovery email with instructions. Follow the link in that email, and Steam will show you your username as part of the account recovery process. You can then use that username to log back in.
If you no longer have access to the email address linked to your account, you will need to contact Steam Support directly. Go to help.steampowered.com, click "Contact Support", and explain that you cannot access your account. Steam support can verify your identity through other means and help you regain access.
The difference between username and display name
Your username is the account name you created when you signed up for Steam — it is permanent and does not change. Your display name is the name that appears on your profile and to other players, and you can change it whenever you want by editing your profile settings.
This confusion causes problems when people try to add friends or share their profile. If someone asks for your Steam name, they usually mean your username, because that is the unique identifier. However, if you have changed your display name many times, your username is the only constant way for someone to find you.
To check your display name, go to your profile and look at the large name displayed at the top. If it is different from your username, that is your display name. You can change it by clicking "Edit Profile" and updating the name field.
Using your username to share your profile
Once you know your username, you can share your profile with others by giving them your profile URL. The URL format is steamcommunity.com/id/[your-username]. For example, if your username is "JohnDoe", your profile link would be steamcommunity.com/id/JohnDoe.
You can also share your profile by clicking the "Share" button on your profile page, which generates a link automatically. Some players prefer sharing the direct username link because it works even if the other person does not have Steam open.
What to do if your username contains special characters
Some older Steam accounts have usernames with spaces or special characters. If your username contains spaces, the profile URL replaces them with underscores or removes them entirely. Test your profile link by copying it from your profile page rather than typing it manually to avoid errors.
If you created your account before Steam changed its naming rules, your username might look different from newer accounts. The username you see in your account settings is the correct one to use — that is what Steam recognizes when you log in or when someone tries to find you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Steam username?
No, your Steam username is permanent and cannot be changed. You can only change your display name, which is the name other players see on your profile. If you want a completely different account identity, you would need to create a new Steam account.
Is my Steam username the same as my email address?
No. Your email address is what you use to recover your account and receive notifications from Steam. Your username is a separate name you chose when you created your account. You log in with your username, not your email.
Why does my profile URL look different from my username?
Steam sometimes converts usernames in URLs by removing spaces or special characters. Your actual username in your account settings is the correct one. If you are unsure, check your profile settings directly in the Steam client rather than relying on the URL.
Can someone find me on Steam if they only know my display name?
They can search for your display name, but if many players have similar names, they might find the wrong person. Sharing your username or profile URL is more reliable because your username is unique to your account.
What if I see a different name when I log in versus what appears on my profile?
The name you see in your account settings is your username. The larger name displayed on your profile page is your display name. You can change your display name anytime, but your username stays the same.