Where to find your username on Facebook

Your Facebook username is a short text handle that appears in your profile URL. If your profile link is facebook.com/john.smith.2024, then "john.smith.2024" is your username. You can see it by opening Facebook, clicking your profile picture in the top right corner, and selecting "Profile". Look at the web address in your browser — everything after facebook.com/ is your username.

If you do not see a username in your profile URL and instead see a long number (like facebook.com/100087654321), you have not yet created a custom username. Facebook allows one custom username per account, and you can change it once every 60 days after you set it.

You can also find your username by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Your username will be listed there under "Username".

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in your profile URL after facebook.com/ and is different from your display name.
  • If your profile URL shows only numbers, you have not yet created a custom username.
  • You can create a custom username once, and change it every 60 days after that.
  • Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, and periods.
  • Other people can find your profile by searching your username or visiting your profile URL directly.

Creating a custom username if you do not have one

If your profile URL contains only numbers, you can create a custom username. Open Facebook and go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Click Personal Information, then look for the Username field. If it shows a number or is blank, click "Create Username" or the edit icon next to it.

Type the username you want. Facebook will tell you when ready if it is already taken or if it breaks the rules (usernames must be 5 to 50 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and periods, and cannot start or end with a period). Once you find one that works, click "Review" and then "Confirm".

After you create a username, you cannot delete it, but you can change it every 60 days. Your old username becomes available for others to claim after you change it.

Changing your username

If you already have a custom username and want a different one, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Click the edit icon next to your username. Type the new username you want and follow the same process — Facebook will check if it is available and valid.

You can only change your username once every 60 days. If you changed it recently and want to change it again, Facebook will show you the date you can make the next change. Plan ahead if you are unhappy with a choice, because you will be stuck with it for two months.

The difference between username and display name

Your username and your display name are not the same thing. Your display name is what appears on your posts and comments — you can change it as often as you want. Your username is the handle in your profile URL, and it has the 60-day change limit.

Other people see your display name when they interact with you on Facebook. They use your username to search for you or to visit your profile directly by typing the URL. You can have a display name like "John Smith" and a username like "john.smith.2024".

Searching for someone by username

To find someone on Facebook using their username, click the search bar at the top of Facebook and type their username. If the username is "jane.doe.1995", type exactly that. Facebook will show you the profile if it exists and is not set to private.

You can also visit someone's profile directly if you know their username by typing facebook.com/[their username] into your browser. This works whether or not you are friends with them, as long as their profile is not set to private.

Why you might not see a username option

Some older Facebook accounts created before custom usernames were introduced may not have the option to create one. If you cannot find a Username field in your Personal Information settings, your account may fall into this category. You can still use your profile URL (which will show a number) to share your profile with others.

If you are having trouble finding the username field or creating one, check that you are logged into the correct account and that you are using the current version of Facebook. Log out and log back in, or try accessing Facebook from a different browser.

Using your username to share your profile

Once you have a custom username, you can share your profile easily. Instead of copying a long URL with numbers, you can give people facebook.com/[your username]. This is shorter, easier to remember, and looks more professional if you are sharing it for work or business purposes.

You can also include your username on a resume, business card, or social media bio. People can search for it directly on Facebook or type your profile URL into their browser to find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my email address or phone number as my username?

No. Your username can only contain letters, numbers, and periods. Email addresses and phone numbers contain characters that Facebook does not allow in usernames. You will need to create a different handle.

What happens to my old username if I change it?

Your old username becomes available for other people to claim. You cannot reserve it or get it back later. If you think you might want it again, wait before changing it.

Can I have the same username on Facebook and Instagram?

Facebook and Instagram are separate platforms with separate username systems. You can use the same text as a username on both, but they are not linked. Changing one does not change the other.

Why does Facebook say my username is taken when I try to create one?

The username you chose either belongs to someone else or breaks Facebook's rules. Try adding numbers, periods, or different spelling. Usernames must be 5 to 50 characters and cannot start or end with a period.

Can I search for someone if I only know their username but not their name?

Yes. Type their username into the Facebook search bar. If their profile is public or you are friends with them, their profile will appear. If their profile is private and you are not friends, you may not see them in search results.