Your Facebook URL is the web address that points directly to your profile

Your Facebook URL is a unique web link that takes people to your profile page. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/numbers depending on how you set it up. This URL is public by default — anyone who has it can visit your profile, whether or not they are your friend. Understanding where to find it and what it exposes is the first step in controlling what strangers can see about you.

Facebook creates a URL for every account automatically. You can customize it to be easier to remember and share, or you can leave it as a string of numbers. Either way, the URL itself is just a pathway to information you have already chosen to make visible or hidden through your privacy settings. The URL does not reveal anything on its own — it is what your privacy settings allow people to see once they arrive there that matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook URL is the web address of your profile, created automatically and visible to anyone who knows it or finds your name in search.
  • You can customize your URL to something memorable like facebook.com/yourname, but only once and only if that name is not already taken.
  • Finding your URL takes two clicks: go to your profile, then look at the address bar in your browser — that is your URL.
  • Your URL itself does not expose private information, but your privacy settings control what people see when they visit it, so check those separately.
  • Changing your privacy settings does not change your URL, and changing your URL does not change your privacy settings — they are separate controls.

How to find your current Facebook URL

The fastest way is to go to your profile and look at your browser's address bar. Open Facebook, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Profile" from the menu. The address bar at the top of your browser now shows your URL. If it says facebook.com/yourname, that is your customized URL. If it says facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789, you have not customized it yet and Facebook is using your user ID number instead.

You can also find your URL by right-clicking your profile picture anywhere on Facebook and selecting "Copy link". Paste it into a text document or your browser's address bar to see the full URL. This method works the same way whether you are on a computer or phone, though the menu options look slightly different on mobile.

Customizing your URL to something you can remember

Facebook lets you create a custom URL once, and only once. Go to your profile, then look for the "Edit profile" button. Scroll down to find the section that shows your current URL. Click "Edit" or the pencil icon next to it. Type the name or phrase you want — it can be your first and last name, a nickname, or anything not already claimed by someone else. Facebook checks availability when ready as you type.

Once you confirm the change, your new URL is live when ready. The old URL with your user ID number still works and redirects to your new one, so links people sent you before the change do not break. You cannot change your custom URL again, so choose something you are comfortable with long-term. If you make a typo or change your mind, you are stuck with it unless you contact Facebook support, which rarely grants exceptions.

What your URL does and does not expose

Your URL is just a web address — it does not contain your phone number, email, location, or any private information by itself. It is straightforward the pathway to your profile. What people actually see when they visit that URL depends entirely on your privacy settings. If your profile is set to public, strangers can see your name, profile picture, cover photo, and any posts you marked as public. If your profile is private, only friends can see most of your information.

The URL itself is always public and searchable. Facebook's search function and Google's search engine can both find you by your name, and once they do, they show your URL. This is true even if your profile is private — the URL exists and is discoverable, but what people see when they click it is restricted by your settings. Customizing your URL to something like facebook.com/yourname makes it easier for people to find and remember, but it does not change what they can actually view.

Checking what strangers can see on your profile

Your URL and your privacy settings are separate controls. Changing one does not change the other. To see what a stranger would see if they visited your profile, go to your profile and click the three dots in the top right corner. Select "View as" and then "Public". This shows you exactly what someone without a Facebook account or someone not on your friends list would see.

Look for the privacy icon next to each post and piece of information. A globe means public. A lock means private. Friends-only means only people on your friends list can see it. If you see information you do not want strangers to see, click the privacy icon and change it. You can adjust privacy for individual posts, your about section, your photos, and more. These changes take effect when ready and do not affect your URL.

Why people might ask for your Facebook URL

Friends and family ask for your URL so they can find and add you on Facebook. Employers or schools might search for your URL to see your public profile. Scammers sometimes use URLs to find accounts that look like they belong to real people, then create fake profiles impersonating you. Marketers use URLs to target ads based on information visible in your profile.

Sharing your URL with someone you trust is safe — it is public information. But be aware that once you share it, that person can see whatever your privacy settings allow. If you share your URL on a public website, forum, or dating app, anyone who finds it can visit your profile. This is why checking your privacy settings matters: your URL is not secret, but what people see when they use it should be.

Protecting yourself when your URL is public

Since your URL is discoverable and public, the real protection comes from your privacy settings. Review your profile privacy regularly — at least once a year or whenever you post something sensitive. Check that your "About" section, photos, and past posts are set to the audience you intend. Pay special attention to information that could be used to impersonate you or target you: your phone number, email, birthday, workplace, and school.

Consider whether you want your profile searchable by name at all. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy. Look for "Who can look you up?" and "Who can contact you?" You can restrict these to friends only if you prefer. You can also turn off search engine indexing so Google does not link to your profile, though Facebook's own search will still find you. These settings give you more control over who discovers your URL in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide my Facebook URL so people cannot find it?

No, your URL is always public and discoverable through Facebook's search. You can restrict who can search for you by name in Settings, but your URL itself cannot be hidden. You can make your profile private so people see less when they visit, but the URL still exists and is findable.

If I change my Facebook name, does my URL change too?

Changing your display name does not change your custom URL. Your URL stays the same unless you edit it directly in your profile settings. If you have not customized your URL yet, Facebook still uses your user ID number in the address bar even after you change your name.

What should I do if someone created a fake profile using my URL?

Report the fake account to Facebook when ready. Go to the fake profile, click the three dots, and select "Report". Choose "It is pretending to be someone" and follow the prompts. Facebook investigates impersonation reports and removes accounts that violate their rules. You can also post on your real profile to warn friends that a fake account exists.

Is my Facebook URL the same as my username?

Not always. Your URL is what appears in the address bar — either your custom name or your user ID number. Your username is what you use to log in, which is usually your email address or phone number. These are three different things, and only your URL is visible to other people.

Can I see what URL someone else has without being their friend?

Yes. If you can find their profile through Facebook search or Google, you can see their URL in the address bar. You do not need to be friends with someone to see their URL, but you may not be able to see the information on their profile if their privacy settings restrict it.