What a Facebook username is and where to find yours

Your Facebook username is the short text handle that appears in your profile URL — the web address people use to visit your profile directly. If your profile URL is facebook.com/john.smith.2024, then "john.smith.2024" is your username. It is different from your display name, which is what appears above your posts and in search results.

To find your current username, go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner of Facebook and select "Profile". Look at the web address in your browser's address bar. Everything after "facebook.com/" is your username. You can also find it by clicking the three dots below your cover photo, selecting "About", and scrolling to the "Username" section.

If you do not see a username listed, Facebook may have assigned you only a numeric ID instead. This happens with older accounts or accounts created before usernames became standard. You can still create a username even if you do not have one yet.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname) and is different from your display name.
  • You can view your current username by visiting your profile and checking the web address, or by going to the About section below your cover photo.
  • Facebook allows you to change your username once every 30 days, but you cannot reuse a username you have already had.
  • Usernames must be at least five characters long and can include letters, numbers, and periods, but not spaces or special characters.
  • If someone else has taken the username you want, you will need to choose a different one — Facebook does not hold usernames or allow reservations.

How to change your username

To change your username, go to your profile and click the three dots below your cover photo. Select "Edit profile". In the window that opens, look for the "Username" field. Click on it and type your new username. Facebook will tell you when ready whether the username is available or already taken.

When you type a new username, Facebook shows you what your new profile URL will look like. Check it carefully before you save — you cannot undo a username change for 30 days, and during that time you cannot change it again. Once you click "Review", Facebook will confirm the change and show you your new URL.

If you are on a mobile phone, tap your profile picture, then tap "See your profile". Tap the three lines menu, scroll down, and tap "Settings & privacy", then "Settings". Tap "Personal information" and then "Username". The process is the same from there.

Rules for choosing a username

Facebook usernames must be at least five characters long. You can use letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and periods (.). You cannot use spaces, underscores, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "John.Smith" and "john.smith" are treated as the same username.

Your username cannot be the same as your display name, and it cannot contain words that Facebook flags as offensive or impersonating. If you try to create a username that violates these rules, Facebook will reject it and ask you to choose something else. The error message will tell you what the problem is.

You also cannot use a username that is already taken by another account. If the username you want is unavailable, you will see a message saying so. There is no way to reserve a username or request that someone else release it — you must choose a different one.

What happens when you change your username

When you change your username, your old profile URL stops working when ready. Anyone who tries to visit your old URL will see an error. Your new URL becomes active right away. If you shared your old URL anywhere — in an email, on a website, or in a message — those links will no longer work.

Your friends can still find you by searching for your display name, and they can still message you. Your posts, photos, and friend list do not change. The only thing that changes is the web address people use to visit your profile directly.

If you change your username and then want to change it back within 30 days, you cannot — Facebook locks you out of making another change for a full month. Plan your username change carefully, because you will be stuck with it for at least 30 days.

If you cannot change your username

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username right now, it usually means you changed it within the last 30 days. Facebook enforces a 30-day waiting period between changes. Check when you last changed it — if it has been less than 30 days, you will have to wait until that period is over.

If you have never changed your username before and still cannot change it, your account may have restrictions. This can happen if Facebook detected unusual activity on your account or if your account is new. Try again in a few hours, or check your email for any messages from Facebook about account security.

If your account was created a very long time ago, you might not have a username at all — only a numeric ID. In that case, you can create a username for the first time by following the steps in the "How to change your username" section above. This first username creation does not count against your 30-day limit.

How to share your username with others

Once you have a username, you can share your profile URL with others. Your full profile URL is facebook.com/ followed by your username. You can copy this from your browser's address bar when you are on your profile, or you can click the three dots below your cover photo, select "Copy profile URL", and paste it anywhere you want to share it.

People can also find you by searching for your display name in Facebook's search bar. Your username is mainly useful for creating a short, memorable link to your profile that you can share in emails, on websites, or in messages. It does not affect how your friends see you or how they message you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have the same username as someone else?

No. Each Facebook username must be unique. If someone else has already taken the username you want, you cannot use it. Facebook does not allow two accounts to have the same username, and there is no way to request that another user release a username they are using.

What if I forgot my username?

Go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right, then look at the URL in your browser's address bar. Everything after "facebook.com/" is your username. You can also find it in your About section by clicking the three dots below your cover photo and selecting "About".

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Facebook allows one username change every 30 days. If you change your username, you must wait a full 30 days before you can change it again. Plan your change carefully, because you will be locked into your new username for at least a month.

Does changing my username affect my messages or friend list?

No. Your messages, friends, photos, and posts all stay the same. Only the web address of your profile changes. Your friends can still find you by searching your display name and can still message you normally.

What characters can I use in a username?

You can use letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and periods (.). You cannot use spaces, underscores, hyphens, or special characters. Your username must be at least five characters long and cannot contain words that Facebook considers offensive or impersonating.