Check Your GitHub Profile Page

Your GitHub username appears at the top left of any page when you are signed in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Your profile" — the URL of that page shows your username in the address bar. It looks like github.com/yourusername. That string after the last slash is what you need.

If you are not signed in, sign in at github.com with the email address you used to create your account. Once logged in, your username displays when ready on the left side of the navigation bar, or you can click your profile picture to see it. The username is always visible once you have authenticated, making this the fastest method for most people.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username appears in the top left corner of the site when you are signed in, or in the URL when you visit your profile page at github.com/yourusername.
  • The username is the text that comes after github.com/ in your profile URL and is different from your display name.
  • If you forgot which email address you used, check your email inbox for a message from GitHub sent when you created the account, usually from noreply@github.com.
  • You can change your username in account settings, but doing so breaks links to your old profile and repositories that other people may have saved.

Look in Your Account Settings

Sign in to GitHub and click your profile picture in the top right. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click "Account" — your username appears near the top of that page in a field labeled "Username". This is the official location where GitHub stores and displays your account name.

The settings page also shows when you created the account and what email address is associated with it. If you have multiple GitHub accounts, make sure you are signed into the correct one before checking settings. The Account page is the most reliable place to confirm your username because it is the source GitHub uses internally.

Search Your Email for GitHub Messages

GitHub sends a confirmation email when you first create an account. Search your email inbox for messages from noreply@github.com or support@github.com. The welcome email or any notification about account activity will show your username. Check your spam or promotions folder if you do not see it in your inbox — GitHub emails sometimes get filtered there.

If you remember the email address you used but cannot sign in, you can use GitHub's account recovery process. Go to github.com/login and click "Forgot password?" to reset your access. The password reset email will arrive at the address associated with your account, confirming that you have the right email on file.

Check Repositories or Contributions You Created

If you have created repositories or made contributions to other projects, your username appears on those pages. Visit any repository you own or contributed to — your username shows in the repository URL (github.com/yourusername/repository-name) and in the contributor list. This works even if you are not currently signed in, as long as the repository is public.

You can also search for your own name on GitHub's search bar to find repositories and contributions tied to your account. The results will display your username alongside each item. This method is useful if you remember creating a project but cannot recall the exact name.

Use GitHub's Account Recovery if You Are Locked Out

If you cannot sign in and do not remember your username, go to github.com/login and click "Forgot password?" Enter the email address associated with your account. GitHub sends a password reset link to that email. After you reset your password and sign in, your username will be visible in your profile settings.

If you do not have access to the email address you used to create the account, GitHub's support team can help verify your identity and restore access. Visit github.com/contact to reach their support form. They will ask you to confirm details about your account before providing information.

Understand What Your Username Is Used For

Your GitHub username is the unique identifier for your account across the entire platform. It appears in your profile URL, in repository URLs you own, in commit history, and in any discussions or pull requests you participate in. Other people use your username to mention you in comments, collaborate with you, or find your work.

Your username is different from your display name — you can change your display name in settings without affecting your username or any links to your profile. However, changing your actual username will break existing links and is not recommended if other people reference your work or have bookmarked your repositories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes, you can change it in account settings under "Account" on the left sidebar. However, changing your username breaks all existing links to your profile and repositories, and other people's references to your old username will no longer work. GitHub recommends keeping your original username if you have shared it publicly.

Is my GitHub username the same as my display name?

No. Your username is the unique identifier in your profile URL and cannot be changed without breaking links. Your display name is what appears next to your avatar in comments and contributions, and you can change it anytime without affecting your username or any links.

What if I created a GitHub account but never used it?

Your username still exists and is tied to the email address you used to sign up. Sign in with that email address and your password to see your username in settings. If you forgot your password, use the password reset link on the login page.

Can two people have the same GitHub username?

No. GitHub usernames are unique across the entire platform. Once someone creates an account with a username, no one else can use that exact name. If the username you want is taken, you will need to choose a different one when creating your account.