Where to Look for Your Username

Your GitHub username is visible in the top right corner of any GitHub page when you are signed in. Click your profile picture or avatar — a small circle or image in the upper right — and a menu drops down. The first line shows your username, which is the name you chose when you created your account, not your full name.

If you are not signed in, you can still find your username by visiting github.com/[username] in your browser. If the page loads and shows a profile, that username is correct. If the page shows a 404 error, that username does not exist on GitHub.

You can also find your username by going to your profile settings. Sign in, click your avatar in the top right, select Settings, and look at the page URL. It will read github.com/settings/profile. Your username appears just below your profile picture on that page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is displayed in the top right corner of GitHub under your profile picture when you are signed in.
  • You can confirm your username by visiting github.com/[username] — if the profile page loads, that is your correct username.
  • Your Settings page also displays your username directly below your profile picture.
  • Your username is different from your full name and is what other people use to mention you or find your profile.
  • GitHub usernames are always lowercase and can only contain letters, numbers, and hyphens.

Checking Your Username in Settings

The most reliable way to confirm your username is through your account settings. Sign in to GitHub, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings from the dropdown menu.

On the Settings page, you will see your profile picture on the left side. Directly below the picture is your username in large text. This is the exact name you use to log in and the name that appears in your GitHub URL. Write it down or copy it if you need to share it with someone else.

If you are on a mobile device, the layout may be slightly different. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then tap your avatar, and select Settings. Your username will still appear below your profile picture in the same way.

Finding Your Username If You Forgot Your Password

If you cannot sign in because you forgot your password, you can still find your username. Go to github.com/login and look for the link that says Forgot password? Click it. GitHub will ask for the email address associated with your account, not your username.

Enter the email address you used when you created your GitHub account. GitHub will send a password reset link to that email. You do not need to complete the password reset to find your username — once you receive the email, the sender line or the link itself may show your username, or you can sign back in after resetting your password and check your profile as described above.

What Your Username Looks Like

GitHub usernames are always lowercase and contain only letters, numbers, and hyphens. They cannot have spaces or special characters like @ or #. Your username might look like sarah-chen, developer42, or alexkim.

Your username is different from your display name. Your display name is the full name you choose to show on your profile — it can have spaces and any characters you want. But your username, which appears in your GitHub URL and is used to mention you in comments, follows the lowercase-and-hyphens rule. This distinction matters when you are sharing your profile or working with others on GitHub.

Using Your Username Elsewhere

Once you know your username, you can use it to share your GitHub profile with others. Your profile URL is always github.com/[your-username]. You can send this link to employers, collaborators, or anyone who wants to see your code and projects.

Your username is also what people type when they want to mention you in a GitHub comment or discussion. They type @ followed by your username, like @sarah-chen, and GitHub will notify you. Make sure you know your exact username, including any hyphens or numbers, so others can find and mention you correctly.

When you share your username with others, they can visit your profile to see your public repositories, contributions, and activity. Your username becomes part of your professional identity on GitHub, so it is worth keeping track of it in a safe place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes. Go to Settings, click Account in the left menu, and scroll to the username field. Type a new username and click Change username. GitHub will warn you that old links to your profile will stop working, so update any links you have shared publicly before you change it.

Is my username the same as my email address?

No. Your email address is what you use to sign in, but your username is a separate name you chose when you created your account. You can sign in with your email, but your profile and URL use your username instead.

What if I see a username that is not mine when I sign in?

Check that you are signed into the correct account. Click your avatar and select Sign out. Then sign back in with the email address and password for the account you want to use. If you have multiple GitHub accounts, make sure you are in the right one.

Can two people have the same username?

No. Each GitHub username is unique. If you try to create an account with a username that already exists, GitHub will tell you the name is taken and ask you to choose a different one.