Your username appears in the top-right corner of any GitHub page when you're signed in

When you're logged into GitHub, look at the very top right of the screen. You'll see a small circular profile picture or avatar. Click on it, and a dropdown menu appears — your username is the first line in that menu, displayed in bold text. That's your GitHub username, and it's the name you use to log in and the name other people use to find your profile.

If you're not currently signed in, you can still find your username by going to github.com and signing in with your email address and password. Once you're logged in, that top-right corner will show your username when ready.

Your username is also visible on your public profile page. Once you're signed in, click that same profile picture in the top right and select "Your profile" from the dropdown. The URL in your browser's address bar will show github.com/yourusername, and your username appears prominently at the top of the page as well.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username displays in the top-right corner dropdown menu when you're signed in.
  • You can view your username on your public profile page by clicking your avatar and selecting "Your profile".
  • Your username also appears in your profile URL as github.com/yourusername.
  • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the GitHub login page to reset it and regain access to your account.
  • Your username is different from your display name — the username is what you log in with, while the display name is what appears on your posts and comments.

Check your profile URL to confirm your username

The fastest way to see your username without clicking anything is to look at the web address (URL) in your browser when you're on your GitHub profile. The URL always follows the pattern github.com/yourusername. Whatever appears after the final forward slash is your exact username, character for character.

This method works even if you're not sure whether you're looking at the right account. If you have multiple GitHub accounts, each one has its own unique URL and username. Navigate to each account separately and check the URL to see which username belongs to which account.

Look at your email settings if you can't remember your password

If you're locked out of your account and can't sign in, you can still recover your username. Go to github.com/login and click "Forgot password?" at the bottom of the login form. Enter the email address associated with your GitHub account. GitHub will send you a password reset link to that email.

Once you've reset your password and signed back in, your username will be visible in the top-right dropdown as described above. You can also go to your account settings (click your avatar, then select "Settings") and look at the "Account" section on the left sidebar — your username appears there as well.

Understand 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 use to log in and what appears in your profile URL (github.com/yourusername). Your display name is the name that shows up on your comments, pull requests, and public activity — it can include spaces and special characters, while your username cannot.

When someone searches for you on GitHub or tries to mention you in a comment, they use your username, not your display name. If you've changed your display name and can't remember your username, use the profile URL method above — the URL always shows your actual username.

Find another person's GitHub username

If you're looking for someone else's GitHub username, go to github.com and use the search bar at the top. Type the person's name or any part of it, then click on their profile from the results. Their username appears in the URL (github.com/theirusername) and is also displayed prominently on their profile page.

You can also find someone's username if you know their email address. Some GitHub profiles list an email publicly in the profile bio or contact section. If the person has made their email visible, you can see it on their profile page.

Update your username if you need to change it

GitHub allows you to change your username, though doing so will break any old links to your profile. To change your username, sign in and click your avatar in the top right, then select "Settings". On the left sidebar, click "Account", and you'll see your current username with an option to change it. Type your new username and click "Change username".

Before you change your username, know that old URLs pointing to your profile (like github.com/oldusername) will no longer work. Any links in documentation, README files, or other places that reference your old username will be broken. GitHub will redirect the old URL for a short time, but it's best to update those links yourself if they're important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my GitHub username the same as my email address?

No. Your username is a separate name you choose when you create your account. Your email address is what you use to sign in, but your username is what other people use to find you and mention you in comments. You can change your username, but changing your email requires verification.

Can I have spaces or special characters in my username?

No. GitHub usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and hyphens. If you want a name with spaces or special characters, use your display name instead — that's what shows on your comments and profile, and it has no restrictions.

What if I see a different name on my profile than what I expected?

You're likely looking at your display name, not your username. Check the URL in your browser's address bar — that shows your actual username. You can set your display name to anything you want in your profile settings, but your username is what appears in the URL.

Can I search for someone by their username?

Yes. Use the search bar at the top of any GitHub page and type the username you're looking for. GitHub will show you that person's profile if the account exists and is public.