What a Facebook web address is and why you might need it

A Facebook web address is the unique URL that points to a person's profile or page. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789. You need it when you want to share someone's profile with another person, bookmark it, or send them a direct link to their page.

Facebook assigns every account a numerical ID automatically, but most people also set a custom username — the short, memorable part that comes after the forward slash. If someone has not set a custom username, their address will show only the long number instead.

The web address is different from a Facebook profile name. The profile name is what appears at the top of their page and can include spaces and special characters. The web address is simpler and works in a browser's location bar.

Key Takeaways

  • A Facebook web address is the URL in your browser's location bar when you visit someone's profile, starting with facebook.com/.
  • You can copy the web address directly from the browser's address bar while viewing someone's profile.
  • If someone has not set a custom username, their address will be a long string of numbers instead of a readable name.
  • Right-clicking a profile link and selecting "Copy link" is faster than manually typing or selecting the address bar.

Finding the web address in your browser

The simplest way to find a Facebook web address is to visit the person's profile and look at your browser's address bar at the top of the screen. When you are on someone's Facebook profile, the address bar shows their web address. You can select the entire address, copy it, and paste it anywhere you need it.

On a computer, click once in the address bar to select it, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy. On a phone or tablet, tap the address bar, then tap and hold to select all, and choose copy from the menu that appears.

This method works whether the person has a custom username or only a numerical ID. The address bar always shows the current URL, so you are seeing exactly what Facebook is using.

Getting the web address from a profile link

You can also find the web address without visiting the profile directly. Right-click on someone's name or profile picture anywhere on Facebook — in a comment, a post, a friend list, or a search result — and select "Copy link" from the menu. This copies their profile URL to your clipboard without opening their page.

On a phone, tap and hold the person's name or picture until a menu appears, then select "Copy link" or the equivalent option. The exact wording varies slightly depending on whether you are using the Facebook app or the mobile website.

This method is faster than navigating to the profile and copying from the address bar, especially if you are collecting multiple addresses or if the profile is private and takes time to load.

Understanding custom usernames versus numerical IDs

Most Facebook accounts have a custom username that the owner chose. This appears in the web address as a short, readable word or phrase — for example, facebook.com/james.rodriguez or facebook.com/jrodriguez. These are easier to remember and share.

If someone has not set a custom username, or if they set one and then deleted it, their web address will contain only a long number: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012345678. Both types of addresses work identically — they both point to the same profile — but the numerical version is harder to remember or type by hand.

You cannot change someone else's username, and you cannot force them to have one. If you need to share their profile and they only have a numerical ID, you can still copy and paste the full address, and it will work just as well.

What to do if the profile is private or restricted

If someone's profile is set to private, you may not be able to see their full profile page, but you can still find their web address. If you can see their name anywhere on Facebook — in a search result, a mutual friend's page, or a comment they made — you can right-click and copy the link. The web address itself is not hidden, only the contents of the profile.

If you cannot see the person at all on Facebook, it may mean they have blocked you, deactivated their account, or set their privacy settings so that they do not appear in searches. In these cases, you cannot find their web address through Facebook itself.

Sharing and using the web address

Once you have the web address, you can paste it into a text message, email, chat, or any other platform. When someone clicks the link, they will go directly to that person's Facebook profile. The link works the same way whether you paste the full address or just the short custom username version.

You can also bookmark the address in your browser for quick access later. In most browsers, press Ctrl+D (Windows) or Command+D (Mac) while viewing the profile to save it to your bookmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find someone's Facebook web address if they are not my friend?

Yes. The web address is public information as long as the person's profile appears in search results or you can see their name anywhere on Facebook. You can copy the link even if you cannot see their full profile details.

What is the difference between a Facebook username and a web address?

The username is the custom name someone chooses, like "james.rodriguez". The web address is the full URL, like "facebook.com/james.rodriguez". The username is part of the web address, but they are not the same thing.

Why does some people's Facebook address show numbers instead of a name?

Those people have not set a custom username, or they deleted the one they had. Facebook assigns every account a numerical ID automatically. Both types of addresses work the same way and point to the correct profile.

Can I change someone else's Facebook web address?

No. Only the account owner can change their own username or web address. You can only view and copy the address that already exists.