Your Facebook URL is the web address people use to visit your profile directly

Your Facebook URL is a unique web link that points to your profile. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/numbers depending on what you set it to. When someone clicks this link, they land on your profile page without having to search for you. You can share this URL in emails, on other websites, or in messages to make it straightforward for people to find you.

Facebook creates a default URL for you automatically when you open an account, but you can customize it to something easier to remember and share. The process takes less than a minute and you can change it once per year if you want something different.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook URL appears in your browser's address bar when you visit your own profile, and you can copy it directly from there.
  • You can customize your URL to a short, memorable name in your profile settings, but Facebook only allows one change per year.
  • A custom URL must be at least five characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
  • Once you set a custom URL, the old default one stops working, so update any places where you shared the old link.

Finding your current Facebook URL in your browser

The quickest way to see your URL is to open Facebook and go to your own profile. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the menu. On a phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap your name.

Once you are on your profile page, look at the address bar at the very top of your browser. The URL shown there is your Facebook profile link. If you see something like facebook.com/profile.php?id=1234567890, that is your default URL — Facebook assigned it automatically. If you see facebook.com/yourname, you have already customized it. You can copy this URL and share it anywhere.

How to create a custom Facebook URL

A custom URL is shorter and easier to remember than the default one. To set one up, go to your profile and click the three dots or menu icon near your cover photo. Select "Edit profile" or "Settings and privacy" depending on your device. Look for a section called "Username" or "Facebook URL" — the exact wording varies slightly between phone and computer.

Click on that section and type the name you want. Facebook will tell you when ready if someone else already has that name or if yours breaks the rules. Your custom URL must be at least five characters long and can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens or @ symbols. Once you confirm your choice, Facebook updates your URL right away.

Keep in mind that Facebook only allows you to change your custom URL once per year. Choose something you will be comfortable sharing for at least twelve months. If you have already customized your URL this year, you will have to wait until the anniversary date to change it again.

What happens to your old URL after you customize it

When you set a custom URL, your old default URL stops working. Anyone who tries to visit the old link will see an error or get redirected to your new one. This matters if you shared your default URL anywhere — on a resume, a website, in old emails, or on other social media accounts.

Before you customize your URL, think about where you have shared the old one. If it is somewhere you control (like your own website or email signature), update it to the new custom URL. If it is somewhere you cannot edit (like an old forum post or someone else's website), the old link will still work for a while, but Facebook may eventually stop redirecting it.

Sharing your Facebook URL safely

Once you have your URL, you can share it anywhere you would normally share contact information. Paste it in an email, text message, or when ready message. You can add it to your email signature, your personal website, or your resume. You can also share it on other social media platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram if you want people to find you on Facebook.

Be aware that sharing your profile URL makes your profile discoverable to anyone who clicks it. If your profile is set to private, people will still see your profile picture, name, and whatever other information you have made public, but they will not see your posts or photos unless you accept their friend request. Check your privacy settings if you want to control who can see your profile before you share the URL widely.

Fixing a custom URL that is not working

If you set a custom URL but it is not showing up in your address bar, refresh your browser or log out and back in. Sometimes Facebook takes a few minutes to update across all its servers. If the problem continues, go back to your settings and confirm the URL is still there — occasionally a technical glitch will revert a recent change.

If someone tells you they cannot visit your profile using the URL you gave them, ask them to try again or clear their browser cache. Old cached versions of Facebook sometimes show outdated information. If the problem persists, check that you gave them the correct spelling — custom URLs are case-sensitive in some contexts, though Facebook usually handles variations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my real name as my custom URL?

Yes, as long as no one else has already claimed it. Facebook custom URLs are first-come, first-served. If your name is taken, you can add numbers or periods to make it unique — for example, john.smith.1985 instead of john.smith.

What if I want to change my custom URL before a year has passed?

You cannot change it until the anniversary of when you set it. Facebook enforces a one-change-per-year limit. If you made a mistake, you will have to wait until that date arrives. Plan carefully before you confirm your choice.

Does my custom URL change if I change my name on Facebook?

No. Your custom URL stays the same even if you update your display name. The URL is independent of your name, so you can change how your name appears without affecting the link people use to find you.

Can I see my Facebook URL on my phone the same way as on a computer?

Yes. Go to your profile, and the URL will appear in your phone's browser address bar at the top of the screen. On some phones, you may need to tap the address bar to see the full URL if it is shortened or hidden.

What if someone is using my name as their custom URL?

Facebook custom URLs are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If someone else claimed the name you want, you cannot take it from them. You will need to choose a different custom URL or contact Facebook if you believe the other account is impersonating you.