Check Your GitHub Profile Page

Your GitHub username appears at the top of your profile page. Go to github.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Your profile" from the dropdown menu. The username is displayed prominently under your name — it's the text that appears after @, like @james-rodriguez or @jrodriguez42.

If you're already signed in, you can also navigate directly to github.com/[your-username] in your browser. If the page loads and shows your repositories and activity, you've found it. If you get a 404 error, the username you guessed is not correct.

Look in Your Email or Account Settings

Your username is stored in your account settings. Click your profile picture in the top right, select "Settings," then look at the left sidebar. Your username appears near the top of the page, sometimes labeled as "Name" or shown in the URL bar as github.com/settings/profile. The username is the one you use to log in or that appears in your repository URLs.

If you're having trouble locating it visually, check your browser's address bar while you're on your profile settings page. The URL structure is github.com/settings/profile, but your actual username may also appear elsewhere on that page depending on your account setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username is visible on your profile page, displayed under your name with an @ symbol in front of it.
  • You can find it by clicking your profile picture, selecting "Your profile," and looking at the top of the page.
  • Your username also appears in your account settings under the Settings menu in the left sidebar.
  • The username is the text that comes after github.com/ in your profile URL, such as github.com/your-username.
  • If you're logged in and unsure, navigate to github.com/[guessed-username] — if the page loads with your repositories, that's your correct username.

Find It in Your Repository URLs

Every repository you own or contribute to has a URL that includes your username. If you have any repositories, look at the address bar when you're viewing one. The format is always github.com/[your-username]/[repository-name]. The part between the first and second slash is your username.

You can also check repositories you've starred or contributed to. Click on any repository you know you've worked on, and the URL will show your username in the same position. This method works even if you haven't created your own repositories yet.

Check Your GitHub Email or Notifications

GitHub sends emails about your account activity, and these emails often reference your username. Check your email inbox for messages from GitHub (usually from noreply@github.com). The email may say something like "Hi [your-username]" or include a link to your profile that shows your username in the URL.

If you have GitHub notifications turned on, you can also check your notification settings. Go to Settings, then "Notifications" in the left sidebar. Any notification emails will reference your username in the subject line or body.

Use the GitHub API or Command Line

If you use Git on your computer, your GitHub username may be stored in your local Git configuration. Open a terminal or command prompt and type git config user.name. This shows the name you set up for Git commits, which may be your GitHub username or a different name you chose for commits.

For a more direct approach, you can use the GitHub API. In your browser, go to api.github.com/user (you must be signed in). This page displays your account information in JSON format, including your login field — that's your username. The login value is exactly what you need.

What to Do If You Can't Remember Your Username

If you're locked out of your account or can't find your username through these methods, you can recover it using your email address. Go to github.com/login and look for a "Forgot password?" or account recovery option. GitHub will send a recovery email to the address associated with your account, and that email will reference your username or allow you to reset your password and regain access to your profile.

If you don't have access to the email address linked to your account, contact GitHub Support directly through their help portal at support.github.com. They can verify your identity and help you recover your account information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my GitHub username the same as my display name?

No. Your display name is what appears under your profile picture and can be anything you choose. Your username is the unique identifier you use to log in and the text that appears after @ and in your repository URLs. You can change your display name anytime, but changing your username is more complex and affects all your repository URLs.

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes, you can change it in your account settings under "Account" in the left sidebar. However, changing your username will break any links to your old repositories, so GitHub recommends setting up redirects if you have shared your profile widely. Old URLs will redirect for a short time, but it's best to update any links you've shared.

What if the username I want is already taken?

GitHub usernames are unique, so if someone else has the username you want, you cannot use it. You'll need to choose a different username. You can check if a username is available by trying to navigate to github.com/[username-you-want]. If you get a 404 error, the username is available. If a profile loads, it's taken.

Where do I use my GitHub username?

You use your username to log in to GitHub, to share your profile with others, in repository URLs, and when collaborating with other developers. Other people use your username to mention you in issues and pull requests using the @ symbol, like @your-username. It's also how others find your public repositories and contributions.