Where to find your username on Facebook

Your Facebook username is the custom web address that appears in your profile URL. If you go to facebook.com/yourname, that part after the slash is your username. You can find 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 custom username in your profile URL and instead see a long string of numbers, you have not set one yet. Facebook lets you create a username once, and you can change it later if you want a different one. The username is different from your display name, which is what appears on your posts and comments.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is the custom web address in your profile URL, found at facebook.com/yourname.
  • You can see your username by visiting your profile and checking the browser address bar.
  • If your profile URL shows numbers instead of a name, you have not yet created a custom username.
  • Your username is separate from your display name and can be changed through your settings.
  • You need to be at least 14 years old and have had your account for at least 60 days to create or change a username.

How to create a username if you do not have one

If your profile still uses a number string instead of a custom username, you can create one. Go to your profile, click the three dots or menu icon next to your name, and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." Look for the "Username" section under your account information. Click "Create a username" and type the name you want. Facebook will tell you if it is already taken or if it breaks their naming rules.

Facebook usernames must be between 5 and 50 characters long and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens or @ symbols. Once you create a username, you can change it once every 60 days if you want something different.

The difference between username and display name

Your display name is what people see when they look at your posts, comments, or profile. It can be anything you want and can include spaces and special characters. Your username is the web address — it is more restrictive and is what people use if they want to link directly to your profile or mention you in a way that creates a clickable tag.

You can change your display name as often as you want, but your username can only be changed once every 60 days. If you want people to find you easily, make sure both are something you recognize and that you will remember.

Why you might not see your username

Some older Facebook accounts never created a custom username and still use the numeric ID. If your account was created before Facebook rolled out custom usernames, you may have skipped that step. You can still create one now as long as your account is at least 60 days old and you are at least 14 years old.

If you recently changed your username and are looking for the old one, that address will no longer work. Facebook does not keep old usernames available — once you change it, the previous one becomes inactive. Anyone who had bookmarked or shared your old profile link will see an error.

Changing your username

To change your username, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings. Find the Username section and click "Edit." Type your new username and click "Review." Facebook will confirm the change is available, and once you confirm, the new username takes effect when ready. You will not be able to change it again for 60 days.

Before you change your username, think about whether you have shared your profile link anywhere — in email signatures, on other websites, or in messages to friends. Those links will stop working once you change your username. If you have a business page or use your profile for professional purposes, changing your username can affect how people find you.

Usernames and privacy

Your username is public information. Anyone can see it by visiting your profile, and it appears in your profile URL. If you want to limit who can find you, you can adjust your privacy settings to control who can search for you by name or username. Go to Settings and privacy, then Privacy, and change "Who can look you up using the email address or phone number you provided?" to "Friends only" or "No one."

Your username is not the same as your password or login information. You log into Facebook with your email address or phone number, not your username. If someone knows your username, they can find your profile, but they cannot access your account without your password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's username if they are not using it?

No. Once a username is created on Facebook, it belongs to that account even if the person stops using it. If an account is deleted, the username may eventually become available, but Facebook does not make this public. You cannot claim or take over someone else's username.

What if my username is taken?

Try a variation — add numbers, underscores, or periods to make it unique. Facebook will show you whether your choice is available as you type. If the username you want is taken, you can try adding your birth year, a middle initial, or a number that means something to you.

Can I have a username with spaces in it?

No. Facebook usernames cannot include spaces, hyphens, or most special characters. You can use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores only. If you want your name to appear as two words, use a period or underscore between them, like john.smith or john_smith.

Do I need a username to use Facebook?

No. You can use Facebook without creating a custom username. Your account will still work, and people can find you by your display name or by searching your email address. A username is optional and mainly useful if you want a short, memorable web address for your profile.

What happens to my old username if I change it?

It becomes inactive and unavailable. No one can use it, and links to your old profile URL will not work. If you think you might want to go back to an old username, you should wait before changing it, since you can only change once every 60 days.