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

Your Facebook URL is a unique web address that points to your profile page. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/numbers depending on how you set it up. You need this address when you want to share your profile with someone, link to it from another website, or check what information is publicly visible about you.

Facebook gives you two types of profile addresses. One is a custom URL you can create yourself — usually your name or a version of it. The other is a numeric ID that Facebook assigns automatically. Both lead to the same profile, but the custom one is easier to remember and share.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook URL appears in the address bar when you visit your own profile, and you can copy it directly from there.
  • You can create a custom URL using your name or a username through Facebook's settings, but you can only change it once per year.
  • Your numeric Facebook ID is a long string of numbers that never changes and always works, even if you change your custom URL.
  • Visiting your profile as a visitor would see it — by clicking your name in a comment or post — shows you exactly what your public URL looks like to others.

Finding your URL by visiting your profile

The simplest way to find your Facebook URL is to go to your profile and look at the address bar at the top of your browser. Open Facebook, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Profile" from the menu. The web address that appears in the address bar is your current Facebook URL.

Copy this address by clicking in the address bar, selecting all the text, and pressing Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac. You now have your URL ready to share or paste anywhere you need it. This method works on both desktop and mobile browsers, though the address bar location differs slightly between devices.

Creating or changing your custom URL

Facebook lets you create a custom URL that is easier to remember than a string of numbers. Go to facebook.com/username (or search "change Facebook URL" in your browser). Click "Edit" next to your username. Type the custom name you want — it can be your first name, last name, a nickname, or a combination, as long as no one else has claimed it.

Facebook will tell you when ready whether your chosen name is available. If it is taken, you will see a message and can try a different version. Once you confirm your choice, your new URL becomes active right away. Keep in mind that you can only change your custom URL once per year, so choose carefully.

If you have never set a custom URL, Facebook has assigned you a numeric one instead. You can still create a custom URL at any time by following the steps above. Your old numeric address will still work and redirect to your profile, but the custom one becomes your primary URL.

Understanding your numeric Facebook ID

Every Facebook profile has a numeric ID — a long string of numbers that Facebook assigns when you create your account. This ID never changes, even if you change your name, your custom URL, or your profile picture. Your numeric URL looks like facebook.com/100012345678901, where the numbers are your unique ID.

You can find your numeric ID by visiting your profile and looking at the page source code, but there is an easier way: use a tool like findmyfbid.com or whatsmyuserid.com. Type your Facebook URL or name into the search box, and the tool will display your numeric ID. This ID is useful if your custom URL ever stops working or if you need to verify your account with another service.

Checking what your profile URL shows to others

The URL you see when you visit your own profile may not be the same as what others see when they visit it. To check your public profile URL, click your profile picture, find a recent post or comment you made, and click your name above it. This takes you to your profile as a visitor would see it, and the address bar shows the URL that others use to reach your profile.

This step matters because your privacy settings affect what appears on your profile page. If you have restricted who can see your posts or information, visitors may see a limited version of your profile. The URL itself does not change, but what loads on the page does. Checking your profile this way helps you understand what information is actually public.

Using your Facebook URL on other websites

Once you have your Facebook URL, you can paste it anywhere — in an email signature, on a resume, in a Discord or LinkedIn profile, or on a personal website. Most websites recognize Facebook URLs and turn them into clickable links automatically. If a website does not, you can manually create a link by pasting your URL into the website's link field.

When you share your Facebook URL with someone, they can click it to visit your profile directly without having to search for you. This is faster than giving them your name and having them search through multiple results. Your custom URL is especially useful here because it is shorter and easier to type if someone wants to visit your profile from a phone or write it down.

Troubleshooting when your URL does not work

If someone tells you they cannot reach your profile using your URL, the most common reason is privacy settings. If your profile is set to private or if you have restricted who can see your information, visitors may get an error or see a blank page. Check your privacy settings by going to Settings and Privacy, then Privacy, and reviewing who can see your profile and posts.

Another reason a URL might not work is if you have deactivated or deleted your account. A deactivated account is temporarily hidden, and a deleted account is permanently removed. If you deactivated your account, reactivating it will restore your profile and URL. If you deleted it, the URL will not work again.

If your custom URL recently changed or you just created one, it can take a few minutes for Facebook's servers to update everywhere. Wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again. If the problem persists, try using your numeric ID instead, which is more reliable across all Facebook systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook URL more than once a year?

No. Facebook limits custom URL changes to once per year. If you have already changed it this year, you will have to wait until the anniversary date to change it again. Your numeric ID, however, never changes and always works as a backup.

What is the difference between my custom URL and my numeric ID?

Your custom URL is a name you choose, like facebook.com/john.smith. Your numeric ID is a long string of numbers Facebook assigns automatically. Both lead to your profile, but the numeric ID never changes even if you update your custom URL or name.

Is my Facebook URL the same as my username?

Not always. Your username is what you use to log in to Facebook. Your custom URL is what appears in your profile web address. You can have a username that is different from your custom URL, though many people make them the same for simplicity.

Can someone find my profile if they only have my numeric ID?

Yes. Your numeric ID is a permanent, unique identifier. Anyone with your numeric ID can visit facebook.com/[your ID] and reach your profile, regardless of your name, custom URL, or privacy settings — though what they see depends on your privacy settings.

Why does my Facebook URL show numbers instead of my name?

You have not yet created a custom URL. Go to facebook.com/username, click Edit, and choose a custom name. If the name you want is taken, try a variation. Once you set a custom URL, your numeric one still works but your custom URL becomes the primary one.