The direct way: use Facebook's graph tool or a URL converter
Facebook user IDs and usernames are two different things. Your user ID is a long number that Facebook assigns to every account. Your username is the custom text you choose (or Facebook assigns if you never pick one), and it appears in your profile URL. If you have someone's user ID and want to find their username, the fastest method is to use Facebook's Graph API Explorer or a third-party URL converter.
To use the Graph API Explorer, go to developers.facebook.com/tools/explorer. Paste the user ID into the search field at the top. Facebook will return the account's public information, including the username if one exists. You need to be logged into a Facebook account to use this tool, but you do not need to be a developer.
If the Graph API Explorer feels technical, a simpler option is to construct the URL manually. Replace the user ID in this format: facebook.com/[user-id]. When you visit that URL, Facebook redirects you to the person's profile using their username. The username appears in the address bar after the redirect completes. This method works for most accounts.
Key Takeaways
- User IDs and usernames are separate — IDs are numbers, usernames are custom text that appear in profile URLs.
- The Graph API Explorer at developers.facebook.com/tools/explorer shows public profile information including usernames when you search a user ID.
- Visiting facebook.com/[user-id] in your browser redirects to the profile URL, which displays the username in the address bar.
- Not all accounts have a custom username — some show only the user ID in their profile URL.
When the username does not appear
Some Facebook accounts do not have a custom username set. These accounts use only their user ID in the profile URL. If you visit facebook.com/[user-id] and the page shows a profile but the URL stays as a number, that account has no custom username. This is common for older accounts or accounts where the owner never created one.
If the account is private or deactivated, the Graph API Explorer may not return any information at all. You will see an error message instead of profile data. In this case, you cannot retrieve the username through public tools — the account is not visible to people outside the account owner's friends list.
Why you might need the username instead of the ID
Usernames are easier to remember and share than long strings of numbers. If you are trying to find someone on Facebook to send them a message or add them as a friend, their username is more useful than their ID. Usernames also appear in Facebook URLs that people share, whereas user IDs are usually hidden from casual users.
If someone gave you only their user ID and you need to contact them, converting it to a username lets you search for them by name in the Facebook search bar. This is faster than trying to navigate directly to a numeric URL.
Tools that claim to do this automatically
Several websites advertise themselves as "Facebook ID to username converters." Most of these work by doing exactly what you can do yourself — visiting facebook.com/[user-id] and reading the resulting URL. Some require you to enter your own Facebook login information, which is a security risk. Do not enter your password into third-party tools.
The safest approach is to use Facebook's own Graph API Explorer or to manually construct and visit the URL yourself. Both methods are free and do not require you to trust a third-party website with your account information.
What information is actually public
Facebook's privacy settings control what information is visible to people who are not your friends. A username is usually public — it appears in the profile URL and is visible to anyone who visits the profile. However, if an account is set to private, you may not be able to see the profile at all, and the Graph API Explorer will return limited or no information.
User IDs themselves are also somewhat public, but they are less commonly shared. If you have a user ID, it usually means someone gave it to you directly, or you extracted it from a URL or a data read from Facebook.
Using the username once you have it
Once you have the username, you can search for the person in Facebook's search bar at the top of any page. Type their username and Facebook will show you their profile. You can then send them a friend request, message them if they allow messages from non-friends, or view their public information.
You can also construct a direct link to their profile: facebook.com/[username]. This is cleaner and easier to share than a numeric user ID, and it works as long as the account exists and the username has not changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between a Facebook ID and a username?
Yes. A user ID is a number assigned by Facebook to every account. A username is optional custom text you choose. Not all accounts have a username — some use only the ID. Usernames appear in profile URLs and are easier to remember.
Can I find someone's username if their account is private?
If the account is completely private, the Graph API Explorer may not return any information. However, the username usually appears in the profile URL even for private accounts. Visit facebook.com/[user-id] and check the address bar after the page loads.
Do I need a Facebook account to use the Graph API Explorer?
Yes, you need to be logged into Facebook to use the Graph API Explorer. If you do not have an account, the manual URL method (visiting facebook.com/[user-id]) works without logging in, though you may see limited information for private accounts.
What if the URL converter website asks for my password?
Do not enter your password. Legitimate tools do not need your password to convert a user ID to a username. Use Facebook's Graph API Explorer or the manual URL method instead — both are free and safe.
Can I change my username after I set it?
Yes, you can change your Facebook username once every 60 days. Go to your profile, click the three-dot menu, select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Look for Username under the Personal Information section.