Where to find your username and password

Your username and password live in different places depending on what account you are trying to access. For most online accounts — email, banking, social media, utility bills — you set both when you first signed up. The username is what you typed into the "username" or "email" field. The password is what you created in the "password" field, though you will not see it displayed anywhere after that first time.

If you created the account yourself, your username is usually either your email address or a name you chose. Your password was something only you know. The problem is that most people do not write these down, and browsers do not always save them where you can find them again. This section walks you through where to look first.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is usually your email address or a custom name you created when you signed up, and it does not change unless you ask the company to alter it.
  • Your password is never stored anywhere you can read it back — not by the website, not by your browser, not in an email — so if you cannot remember it, you will need to reset it.
  • Check your browser's saved passwords first by going to Settings, then look for a "Passwords" or "Saved Passwords" section, though not all browsers show them the same way.
  • If you still cannot find your username, check old emails from that company — they often send a welcome email or password reset email that includes your username.
  • If you cannot remember your password, every website has a "Forgot Password" link on the login page that will let you create a new one.

Check your browser's saved passwords

Most web browsers offer to save your password when you log in. If you said yes, the password is stored on your computer in an encrypted form. You can view it, but the steps differ by browser.

In Google Chrome: Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings." Click "Autofill and passwords" on the left side, then click "Passwords." You will see a list of websites and the usernames saved for each. Click the website you are looking for. A password field will appear with dots instead of letters — click the eye icon next to it to show the actual password.

In Microsoft Edge: Click the three horizontal dots in the top right. Select "Settings." Click "Passwords" on the left side. Find the website in the list and click it. Click the eye icon to reveal the password.

In Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select "Settings." Click "Privacy & Security" on the left. Scroll down to "Logins and Passwords" and click "Saved Logins." Find the website, and click the eye icon to show the password.

In Safari on Mac: Click "Safari" in the menu bar at the top. Select "Settings." Click the "Passwords" tab. You may need to enter your Mac password. Find the website in the list and click it to see the username and password.

Search your email for account information

When you first signed up for an account, the company usually sent you a welcome email. That email often includes your username or confirms what username you chose. Search your email inbox for the company name plus words like "welcome," "account created," or "confirm your account."

If you have reset your password before, look for emails with the subject line "Password Reset" or "Reset Your Password." These emails are sent to prove you own the account, and they often display your username at the top or in the body of the message.

Check your spam or junk folder too — legitimate company emails sometimes end up there by mistake. If you cannot find anything, try searching for the company's domain name (the part after the @ in their email address) to pull up all messages from that sender.

Look for username hints in your own records

Think about what username you would have chosen when you signed up. Did you use your email address? A nickname? Your first and last name? Write down a few possibilities and try them on the login page — many websites will tell you if a username does not exist, which narrows down what you actually used.

Check any documents related to the account. If it is a utility bill, bank account, or insurance policy, your username might appear on a statement or invoice. If it is a work account, check any onboarding emails or documents your employer sent you. If it is a social media account, the username is often visible in your profile URL — for example, if your Facebook profile is facebook.com/john.smith.1234, then "john.smith.1234" is your username.

Reset your password if you cannot remember it

If you have found your username but cannot remember your password, do not try to guess it repeatedly. Most accounts lock you out after a few wrong attempts. Instead, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page.

Click "Forgot Password" or "Forgot Your Password." The website will ask you to enter your username or email address. It will then send a link to your email — click that link to create a new password. Make sure you check your spam folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes. Once you have reset your password, you can log in with your username and the new password you just created.

Write down your new password somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked notebook, or a find note on your phone. Do not email it to yourself or write it on a sticky note on your monitor.

What to do if you cannot access the email linked to your account

If you have forgotten your password and you no longer have access to the email address you used to sign up, the process becomes more complicated. Most websites require you to verify your identity through that original email before they will let you reset your password.

Look for alternative verification options on the "Forgot Password" page. Some companies offer to send a code to a phone number instead, or to answer security questions you set up when you created the account. If none of those options appear, you will need to contact the company's support team directly. Look for a "Contact Us" or "Help" link on their website, and explain that you cannot access your original email. They may ask you to verify your identity by providing other information, like your account number, date of birth, or the last four digits of a credit card on file.

Verify you have the correct username and password

Once you have found both your username and password, test them by logging in. Go to the website or app and enter your username exactly as you found it — usernames are case-sensitive on some sites, meaning "John.Smith" is different from "john.smith." Enter your password exactly as well, including any capital letters, numbers, or symbols.

If the login fails, double-check that you copied the information correctly. Spaces at the beginning or end of a username or password are a common mistake. If you are still stuck, use the "Forgot Password" link again to reset it, or contact the company's support team with your username so they can help you regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my password if I forgot it?

No. Websites do not store passwords in a way that lets anyone — including the company — read them back. If you forget your password, you must reset it using the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. The company will send you an email with a link to create a new password.

Is it safe to save passwords in my browser?

Browser password storage is reasonably safe if your computer is password-protected and you are the only person who uses it. However, if someone gains access to your computer, they can view your saved passwords. For accounts with sensitive information — banking, email, social media — consider using a dedicated password manager instead, which encrypts your passwords more strongly.

What if I have multiple usernames for the same website?

Some websites allow you to create more than one account. If you cannot remember which username you used, try your most common email address first. If that does not work, check your browser's saved passwords or search your email for messages from that company. If you still cannot find it, contact their support team with any email address you think you used, and they can help you locate your account.

Why does my password not work even though I copied it correctly?

Passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital and lowercase letters are different. Check that you did not accidentally turn on Caps Lock. Also verify that you did not copy any extra spaces before or after the password. If you are still unable to log in, reset your password using the "Forgot Password" link.