Your IAM username is in the AWS console under your account settings

Your AWS IAM (Identity and Access Management) username is the name you use to sign into AWS, separate from your AWS account ID or email address. It appears in the AWS Management Console once you are logged in, and you can also find it through your account settings or by checking the IAM service directly.

The fastest way to see it: log into the AWS Management Console, click your account name in the top right corner, and look for "My Security Credentials" or "Account". Your IAM username will be displayed there. If you have never set up an IAM user (meaning you only use your root account), you may not have a separate username — you would be signing in with your email address instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your IAM username appears in the AWS Management Console under account settings once you are logged in.
  • The root account owner (the email address used to create the AWS account) does not have an IAM username unless one was created separately.
  • You can view all IAM usernames in your account by going to the IAM service and selecting "Users" from the left menu.
  • If you forgot your username, check your AWS sign-in history, confirmation emails from AWS, or ask your account administrator.

Finding your username in the AWS Management Console

Once you are logged into AWS, the quickest path is the account menu. Click the name or email shown in the top right corner of the screen. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Look for "My Security Credentials", "Account", or "Preferences" — the exact label depends on your AWS region and console version.

In that section, you will see your account information. Your IAM username (if you have one) will be listed separately from your email address and AWS account ID. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need to reference it later. If you see only your email address and no separate username field, you are using the root account and do not have an IAM username.

Checking the IAM service directly

If you have permission to access the IAM service, you can see all IAM usernames in your account in one place. From the AWS Management Console home, search for "IAM" in the search bar at the top and click the IAM service.

On the left side menu, click "Users". A list will appear showing every IAM user in your account, including your own username if you are an IAM user. Click your own name to see your user details, including when the account was created and what permissions you have. This method works only if your account has IAM permissions — if you get an "Access Denied" error, ask your account administrator to check for you.

Root account vs. IAM user username

AWS distinguishes between two types of accounts. The root account is created when you first sign up for AWS using your email address. The root account has full control of everything in that AWS account and cannot be deleted without closing the entire account. The root account does not have an IAM username — it signs in with your email and password.

An IAM user is a separate identity created by the root account owner or an administrator. IAM users have usernames and can be given specific permissions to access only certain AWS services or resources. If you are an IAM user, your username is what you type into the AWS sign-in page, not your email address. Many organizations create IAM users for employees so each person has their own login and audit trail.

What to do if you cannot remember your username

If you are locked out or cannot recall your username, check your email for AWS confirmation messages. When an IAM user is created, AWS typically sends a welcome email that includes the username and a temporary password. Search your email inbox (including spam folders) for messages from "AWS" or "Amazon Web Services" that mention your username or account setup.

You can also check your browser's saved passwords. If you have signed into AWS before on this computer, your browser may have stored your username. Open your browser settings, search for saved passwords, and look for entries from "aws.amazon.com" or "console.aws.amazon.com". If you still cannot find it, contact your AWS account administrator or AWS Support — they can confirm your username or help you reset your password.

Why you might need your IAM username

Your IAM username is required when you sign into the AWS Management Console, use the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), or generate API credentials. Some organizations also ask for your username when you request access to specific AWS resources or when you need to reset your password. Keeping your username somewhere safe (like a password manager) makes it easier to sign in without having to search for it each time.

If you work in a team environment, your administrator may also need your username to grant you permissions to new services or to audit who accessed what resources and when. Unlike your AWS account ID (which is a 12-digit number shared across your entire account), your IAM username is unique to you and tracks your individual actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my IAM username the same as my email address?

No. Your email address is used to sign into the root account, while your IAM username is a separate name created for IAM users. If you are signing in with your email, you are using the root account, not an IAM user account. IAM usernames are typically shorter and do not contain the @ symbol.

Can I change my IAM username?

AWS does not allow you to rename an IAM user directly. If you need a different username, your administrator must create a new IAM user with the desired name and transfer your permissions to it, then delete the old account. This process takes a few steps, so contact your account administrator if you need a username change.

What if I see multiple usernames in the IAM Users list?

Those are all the IAM users in your AWS account. If you are the account owner, you created them or someone with administrator permissions did. If you do not recognize a username, it may be a former employee or a service account created for automation. Ask your administrator to review the list and remove any accounts that should no longer exist.

Do I need an IAM username if I am the only person using AWS?

You can use the root account (email and password) to sign in, but AWS recommends creating at least one IAM user for yourself and using that instead. The root account should be reserved for account recovery and billing changes only. Creating an IAM user gives you better security and makes it easier to track what you did in your account.