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

Your Facebook URL is a unique web address that leads to your profile page. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/numbers. You can share this link with people who want to find your profile, and it's also the address you see in your browser's address bar when you're viewing your own profile.

Facebook assigns you a URL automatically when you create an account. You can customize it to make it easier to remember and share, or you can leave it as the default string of numbers. Either way, the URL is public — anyone with the link can visit your profile, though what they see depends on your privacy settings.

Knowing your own URL matters because it's the address you'll give out when you want people to find you, and it's also the address you should check to see what your profile actually looks like to strangers. What you see when you're logged in is not what other people see.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook URL is the web address in your browser when you visit your profile, and it's unique to your account.
  • You can find your current URL by visiting your profile and looking at the address bar, or by right-clicking your profile picture and copying the link.
  • You can customize your URL once to make it shorter and easier to share, but you cannot change it again for at least a year.
  • Your URL is public, so anyone with the link can visit your profile — your privacy settings control what they actually see.
  • Checking what your profile looks like when you're logged out shows you what strangers see when they visit your URL.

Finding your URL in the address bar

The simplest way to find your URL is to open your profile and look at the address bar at the top of your browser. Click on your profile picture or name anywhere on Facebook, and your browser will navigate to your profile page. The address bar will show your URL — either your custom name or a long string of numbers.

If you're on a phone, the address bar may be harder to see. On iPhone, tap the address bar at the top of Safari or your browser to reveal the full URL. On Android, the address bar is usually at the top as well. You can then copy the URL by holding down on it and selecting copy, or by tapping the share button and choosing "copy link".

Getting your URL from your profile menu

Another way to find your URL is to use Facebook's built-in copy function. On a computer, go to your profile, then click the three dots or menu icon near your cover photo. Look for an option that says "Copy profile URL" or "Copy link to profile" — the exact wording changes as Facebook updates its interface, but the option is usually near the top of the menu.

On a phone, tap your profile picture to go to your profile, then tap the three dots menu. Scroll down until you see "Copy profile URL" or a similar option, and tap it. The URL will be copied to your clipboard, and you can then paste it into a message, email, or document.

Customizing your URL to something memorable

Facebook lets you change your URL once to something shorter and easier to remember. Instead of facebook.com/100087654321, you could change it to facebook.com/yourname. To do this, go to your profile, click the menu icon, and look for "Settings and privacy" or "Settings". Then click "Settings".

In Settings, look for a section called "Personal information" or "Account". You should see a field labeled "Username" or "Facebook URL". Click "Edit" next to it. Facebook will show you available options based on your name. Choose the one you want, then click "Save". You can only change this once, and you must wait at least a year before changing it again, so choose carefully.

If the username you want is already taken, Facebook will suggest alternatives. You can add numbers or letters to the end to make it unique — for example, facebook.com/yourname2024. Once you confirm your choice, the change takes effect when ready, and your old URL will no longer work.

What happens when you share your URL

When you share your Facebook URL with someone, they can visit it and see your profile. What they see depends on your privacy settings. If your profile is set to public, strangers can see your profile picture, cover photo, name, and any posts you've marked as public. If your profile is set to friends only, they'll see your name and profile picture, but not much else.

Your URL itself doesn't reveal any private information — it's just a web address. But it does make it straightforward for anyone to find your profile if they have the link. This is why it's important to know what your profile looks like to people who aren't your friends. You can check this by logging out of Facebook, then visiting your own URL in a new browser window. You'll see exactly what a stranger would see.

Checking your privacy settings through your URL

Once you know your URL, you should visit it while logged out to see what information is visible to strangers. Open a new browser window in private or incognito mode — this prevents Facebook from recognizing you as logged in. Then paste your URL into the address bar and press enter.

What you see is what anyone with your link will see. If you're uncomfortable with how much is visible, go back to your Settings, find "Privacy", and adjust who can see your posts, your friends list, and your profile information. You can set these to "Friends only", "Custom", or other options depending on what you're comfortable sharing.

Why your URL matters for your digital footprint

Your Facebook URL is part of your digital footprint — the trail of information about you that exists online. Because it's public and straightforward to share, it's worth thinking about what your profile says about you. Employers, schools, and other people may search for you and find your Facebook profile through your URL.

This doesn't mean you need to hide or delete your profile. It means you should be intentional about what you post and what privacy settings you use. Review your profile regularly to make sure the information there is something you're comfortable with other people seeing. Your URL makes it straightforward for anyone to find that information, so it's worth taking time to manage it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook URL more than once?

No. Facebook lets you change your username and URL one time. After you make that change, you must wait at least a year before you can change it again. Choose carefully the first time, because you're stuck with it for a while.

What if someone else has the username I want?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If the exact name you want is taken, Facebook will suggest variations with numbers or letters added. You can accept one of those suggestions, or you can keep your current numeric URL if you prefer.

Does sharing my Facebook URL let people see my private messages?

No. Your URL only shows people your profile page — the information you've set to be visible in your privacy settings. Private messages, friend requests, and other private information are not visible through your URL.

Can I delete my URL without deleting my account?

No. Your URL is part of your account and cannot be removed separately. If you want to stop using Facebook entirely, you would need to deactivate or delete your account, which is a different process.

Is my Facebook URL the same as my profile ID?

Not exactly. Your profile ID is a long string of numbers that Facebook uses internally. Your URL is what you see in the address bar and what you share with people. If you've customized your URL, it looks nothing like your ID, though both point to the same profile.