Check Your GitHub Profile Page

The fastest way to find your GitHub username is to log in and look at your profile. Go to github.com and click the profile icon in the top right corner — it looks like a small circle with your avatar. Select "Your profile" from the dropdown menu.

Your username appears right at the top of the page, next to the GitHub logo. It also shows in the URL: the web address will be github.com/yourusername. This is the name you use to log in, and it's the same name other people use to find your repositories and mention you in discussions.

If you're already logged in but can't find the profile icon, look for your avatar photo in the top right corner of any GitHub page. Click it and the menu will appear.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username is visible on your profile page, which you reach by clicking your avatar in the top right corner and selecting "Your profile".
  • The URL of your profile page always shows your username: github.com/yourname.
  • If you don't remember your username, you can recover it using the email address associated with your account.
  • Your username is different from your display name — the username is what appears in URLs and mentions, while the display name is just for show.

Look at the URL of Any Repository You Own

If you have created repositories on GitHub, your username is built into the web address of each one. Any repository you own has a URL that follows this pattern: github.com/yourusername/repository-name.

Open any of your own repositories in a web browser and look at the address bar. The part between the first slash and the second slash is your username. For example, if the URL is github.com/sarah-chen/weather-app, then "sarah-chen" is the username.

This method works even if you're not currently logged in, as long as you can remember the name of a project you created.

Recover Your Username Using Your Email Address

If you can't access your profile or remember any of your repository names, you can recover your username through GitHub's login page. Go to github.com/login and look for a link that says "Forgot password?" or similar account recovery option.

Enter the email address you used when you created your GitHub account. GitHub will send you a recovery email that includes your username or a link to reset your password. Check your inbox and spam folder — the email usually arrives within a few minutes.

This method requires that you still have access to the email address you registered with. If you no longer have access to that email, you will need to contact GitHub Support through their help page at support.github.com.

Understand the Difference Between Username and Display Name

GitHub lets you set two different names: your username and your display name. The username is permanent and is what appears in URLs, in mentions (like @yourname), and in your repository addresses. The display name is optional and is just what shows on your profile card — it can be your real name, a nickname, or anything else.

If you see a name on someone's profile that doesn't match the URL, that's their display name. The username is always the one in the web address. When you're looking for your own username, make sure you're reading the URL or the profile page label, not just the large name displayed at the top.

Find Your Username on Your Computer

If you have cloned a repository to your computer using Git, your GitHub username may be stored in your local Git configuration. Open a terminal or command prompt and run this command: git config --global user.name. This will show the name you set up when you first installed Git on your machine.

Note that this shows whatever name you entered during Git setup, which might not be your GitHub username — many people use their real name or a different identifier here. To confirm your actual GitHub username, use one of the methods above instead.

If you use GitHub Desktop or another Git client with a graphical interface, you can usually find your username in the settings or preferences menu under "Git" or "Account".

Check Your SSH or HTTPS Remote URL

If you have a repository cloned on your computer, you can see your GitHub username in the remote URL. Open a terminal in your repository folder and type: git remote -v. This shows the web address GitHub uses to connect your local folder to the online repository.

The output will show something like git@github.com:yourname/repo.git or https://github.com/yourname/repo.git. The part between the colon (or the second slash) and the next slash is your username. This method only works if you have already cloned a repository you own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes, you can change your username in your account settings under "Account" or "Profile". GitHub will redirect your old username to your new one for a short time, but old links may eventually break. Repositories and mentions using your old name won't automatically update.

Is my GitHub username the same as my email address?

No. Your email address is what you use to log in, but your username is a separate identifier you choose when you create your account. You can have multiple email addresses linked to one account, but you have only one username per account.

What if I forgot both my username and password?

Go to github.com/login and use the password recovery option. Enter the email address associated with your account, and GitHub will send you a recovery email with your username and a password reset link. If you no longer have access to that email, contact GitHub Support.

Can two people have the same GitHub username?

No. GitHub usernames are unique across the entire platform. If the username you want is already taken, you'll need to choose a different one when you create your account or change your username later.