Your username is the custom web address Facebook lets you create for your profile

Your Facebook username is a short, unique name you choose that becomes part of your profile URL. Instead of a long string of numbers, your username lets people visit your profile at facebook.com/yourname. You set this yourself during account setup, and you can change it later — though Facebook limits you to one change every 30 days.

Not every Facebook account has a username. If you never created one, your profile still exists and works normally, but people can only find you by searching your real name or through a direct link. You don't need a username to use Facebook, but having one makes your profile easier to share and remember.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname) and is different from your display name, which is what appears on your posts and comments.
  • You can find your current username by visiting your profile and looking at the URL in your browser's address bar, or by checking your profile settings.
  • If you don't have a username yet, you can create one in your profile settings under the "Username" section, as long as the name isn't already taken.
  • Facebook lets you change your username once every 30 days, but you cannot revert to an old username after you change it.

Finding your username through your profile URL

The fastest way to find your username is to look at the address bar when you're on your own profile. Open Facebook, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Profile." Look at the URL in your browser — it will read facebook.com/yourname. Everything after the forward slash is your username.

If the URL shows a long number instead (like facebook.com/100012345678), you don't have a custom username yet. That number is your Facebook ID, which is permanent and different from a username. You can still create a username if you want one.

Checking your username in settings

You can also find your username by going directly to your settings. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal information." Look for the "Username" field — this shows your current username if you have one.

If the username field is empty or shows only your ID number, you haven't created a custom username yet. The same settings page is where you would create one by clicking "Edit" next to the username field.

Creating a username if you don't have one

To create a username, go to Settings, then Personal information, and click "Edit" next to the Username field. Type in the name you want to use. Facebook will tell you when ready if it's already taken — usernames must be unique across all of Facebook. If your first choice is taken, try adding numbers or variations until you find one that's available.

Usernames must be at least five characters long and can include letters, numbers, and periods. You cannot use spaces or special characters. Once you create a username, you can change it once every 30 days, but you cannot go back to a username you've already used.

The difference between username and display name

Your display name is what appears on your posts, comments, and profile — the name your friends see. Your username is the web address. You can change your display name as often as you want, but your username has the 30-day limit. They serve different purposes: your display name is for people, your username is for links and web addresses.

If you want people to find you by a particular name, make sure both your display name and username match or are similar. If they're very different, people searching for you by name might not find your profile, even if your username is something else entirely.

What to do if your username is taken

If the username you want is already taken, you have a few options. You can try a variation — add your middle initial, a number, or a period. You can also search for the person who has it and see if they're using it actively. If the account appears abandoned or inactive, you cannot claim it; Facebook doesn't reassign old usernames.

Another option is to choose a different username that's available now and change it later if the one you want becomes available. Since you can change your username once every 30 days, you could check back periodically. However, there's no way to know if or when someone will give up a username, so it's usually better to pick something available and move forward.

Why you might want a username

A username makes your profile easier to share. Instead of sending a long link with numbers, you can tell someone to find you at facebook.com/yourname. It's also easier to remember and looks cleaner when you share your profile on other platforms or in an email signature.

If you run a business page or want people to find you easily, a username that matches your name or brand is useful. For personal accounts, it's optional — your profile works exactly the same without one. The choice depends on whether you want your profile to be straightforward to share and remember.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

No. Once you change your username, you cannot revert to the old one, even after the 30-day waiting period. If you change from "john.smith" to "jsmith," you cannot go back to "john.smith" later. Choose carefully before you change.

What if someone else has the username I want?

You cannot claim or take over someone else's username. If it's taken, try variations with numbers, periods, or initials. You can also choose a different username now and check back later, though there's no may provide the other person will ever give it up.

Is my username the same as my Facebook ID?

No. Your Facebook ID is a permanent number assigned to your account. Your username is a custom name you choose. If your profile URL shows numbers instead of a name, you have an ID but no username yet.

Can I have a username with spaces or special characters?

No. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and periods. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, underscores, or other special characters. If you want to separate words, use a period instead.

Do I need a username to use Facebook?

No. Your account works fully without a username. People can still find you by searching your display name or through a direct link. A username is optional and mainly useful if you want an straightforward-to-share profile address.