Where to find your username right now

Your GitHub username appears in the top right corner of any page when you are logged in. Click your profile picture or avatar — the small circle in the upper right — and your username will show in the dropdown menu next to "Signed in as". That is the fastest way to confirm it.

If you are not logged in, go to github.com and log in with your email address and password. Once you see your profile picture in the top right, click it. Your username is the text that appears when ready below your name in that dropdown.

You can also find your username by visiting your profile page directly. Once logged in, click your profile picture and select "Your profile" from the menu. The page that opens shows your username prominently near the top, usually displayed as @username.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in the top right corner dropdown menu when you click your profile picture on any GitHub page.
  • Visit your profile page by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Your profile" to see your username displayed at the top.
  • Your username is the text that comes after the @ symbol and is different from your display name.
  • If you forgot your username, you can recover it by logging in with your email address instead.

The difference between username and display name

GitHub lets you set two different names: your username and your display name. Your username is what you chose when you created your account — it is permanent and cannot be changed. This is the name that appears in your GitHub URL, like github.com/yourusername.

Your display name is what shows on your profile and in comments. You can change your display name anytime, but your username stays the same. When someone mentions you in a comment or pull request, they use your username with the @ symbol, like @yourname. This is why knowing your exact username matters — it is how people tag you in conversations.

Finding your username on your profile page

Once you are on your profile page, look at the left side of the screen. You will see your profile picture, your display name, and directly below that your username in smaller text. The username is usually shown with an @ symbol in front of it. This is the official version of your username as GitHub recognizes it.

Your profile page also shows your username in the browser's address bar at the top. If your profile URL is github.com/sarah-chen, then sarah-chen is your username. The URL always matches your username exactly, with no spaces or capital letters changed.

Checking your username in account settings

You can also find your username in your account settings. Click your profile picture in the top right, then select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click "Account" in the sidebar. Your username appears near the top of the page under "Change username".

The settings page shows your username in a field that says you can change it, but GitHub only allows username changes once every so often and with restrictions. For most people, the username you see here is the one you have had since you created your account.

What to do if you cannot remember your username

If you are logged out and cannot remember your username, log in using your email address instead. GitHub accepts either your username or your email address in the login field. Once you are logged in, your username will be visible in the top right corner dropdown or on your profile page.

If you do not remember your password either, click "Forgot password?" on the GitHub login page. GitHub will send a reset link to the email address associated with your account. After you reset your password and log in, you will see your username when ready.

Using your username in GitHub workflows

Once you know your username, you will use it in several places. When someone wants to mention you in a comment or pull request, they type @ followed by your username. When you clone a repository using SSH, your username appears in the command. When you set up Git on your computer, you may need to reference your username for authentication.

Your username is also how others find your profile and see your public repositories. If you share your GitHub profile with someone, the URL github.com/yourname is what you give them. Knowing your exact username — including whether it has hyphens, underscores, or numbers — matters when you are sharing it or using it in commands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username?

GitHub allows username changes, but the process and frequency vary. Check your account settings under "Change username" to see if you are may be able to access. Changing your username will break any links people have to your old profile, so it is not recommended unless necessary.

Is my username the same as my display name?

No. Your username is permanent and appears in your profile URL. Your display name is what shows on your profile and can be changed anytime. You can have a display name like "Sarah Chen" and a username like "sarah-chen".

What if my username has special characters or numbers?

GitHub usernames can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. When you use your username in commands or share your profile, include those characters exactly as they appear. For example, if your username is "dev-sarah-2024", that is the exact text you need to use.

Where does my username appear when I comment on someone's code?

Your username appears next to your comment with an @ symbol. Other people can click your username to visit your profile. If someone wants to notify you about a comment, they type @ followed by your username, and you will receive a notification.