Your Zotero username is the name you chose when you created your account, and you can find it by logging into your Zotero account online or checking your account settings within the Zotero desktop app.
Zotero is a free research tool that stores citations, PDFs, and notes in the cloud. Your username is what you use to log in — it is not your email address, though you may have used your email to create the account. The username appears in your profile and is visible to other Zotero users if you share your library.
If you have not logged into Zotero in a while, or if you created the account years ago and cannot remember what you named it, the steps below will help you locate it in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Your Zotero username is separate from your email address and is the name you entered when you first created your account.
- The fastest way to find your username is to log into zotero.org on any web browser and check your account settings.
- If you cannot remember your username, you can use your email address to reset your password and then view your username in your profile.
- The Zotero desktop app also displays your username in the preferences menu once you are logged in.
Finding your username on the Zotero website
Go to zotero.org in your web browser and click the Log In button in the top right corner. Enter your email address and password, then click Sign In.
Once you are logged in, click your profile icon or name in the top right corner of the page. A dropdown menu will appear. Select Settings or Account Settings. Your username will be displayed on this page, usually near the top under your email address or in a field labeled Username.
Write down your username or take a screenshot so you have it saved. This is the name you will use if you need to share your Zotero library with others or if you want to log into Zotero on another device.
Finding your username in the Zotero desktop app
If you have the Zotero desktop process installed on your computer, you can find your username without opening a web browser. Open Zotero and click Edit in the menu bar (on Mac, this is Zotero). Then select Preferences.
In the Preferences window, click the Sync tab on the left side. Under the Zotero Sync section, you will see your username displayed next to Username. If you are not logged in, you will see a Log In button instead — click it, enter your credentials, and your username will appear once you are authenticated.
What to do if you cannot remember your username
If you have forgotten your username but remember your email address and password, the easiest path is to go to zotero.org and log in using your email address. Once you are logged in, your username will be visible in your account settings as described above.
If you have also forgotten your password, click Forgot your password? on the Zotero login page. Enter the email address associated with your account. Zotero will send you a link to reset your password. After you reset it and log in, you can then view your username in your settings.
If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create your account, contact Zotero support through their website. They can help you recover your account or confirm your username if you provide other identifying information.
Why you might need your Zotero username
Your username is required if you want to share your research library with classmates, colleagues, or advisors. When you share a library, other Zotero users search for you by your username, not your email address. Your username also appears in your public profile if you choose to make your library visible to other researchers.
You may also need your username if you are setting up Zotero on a new computer or phone, or if you are troubleshooting a sync problem with Zotero support. Having your username written down in a safe place saves time if you need it later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Zotero username the same as my email address?
No. Your username is a separate name you chose when you created your account. Your email address is what you use to log in, but your username is what other Zotero users see and use to find your shared library.
Can I change my Zotero username?
Zotero does not allow you to change your username after you create your account. If you need a different username, you would need to create a new Zotero account. Contact Zotero support if you have questions about this policy.
Will other people see my Zotero username?
Only if you share your library with them or make your profile public. By default, your library is private and your username is not visible to other users. You control who can see your profile and library through your privacy settings.
What if I see my username but do not recognize it?
If the username displayed in your settings does not match what you expected, you are still logged into the correct account — you may straightforward have forgotten what you named it when you signed up. The email address in your settings will confirm this is your account.