Check Your GitHub Profile Page

Your GitHub username appears at the top of your profile page. Log in to GitHub, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select "Your profile" from the dropdown menu. The username is displayed prominently below your name — it's the handle that starts with @ when other people mention you.

If you're already viewing someone else's profile or a repository, you can spot usernames in the same format: @username. Your own username is the one associated with the account you logged in with. The profile page is the fastest place to look because GitHub puts it front and center.

Look in Your Account Settings

Go to your account settings by clicking your profile picture, then select "Settings" at the bottom of the menu. On the left sidebar, click "Account" (or just look at the page that loads by default). Your username appears near the top of the page, often labeled as your login name or handle.

This is also where you can change your username if you want to, though GitHub warns that changing it will break links to your old profile and repositories. The current username you see here is the one active on your account right now. If you've ever changed your username before, this page shows only the current one.

Check Your Repository URLs

Any repository you own has a URL that includes your username. For example, a repository might be at github.com/yourname/project-name. The part between the first and second forward slash after github.com is your username.

You can find your repositories by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Your repositories." The URL of any of these pages will show your username in the address bar. This method works even if you're not logged in — you can look at the URL of any repository you know you created.

Find It in Your Email or Notifications

GitHub sends emails when you're mentioned, when pull requests are opened on your repositories, or when you receive comments. These emails often include your username in the subject line or body. Check your email inbox for messages from GitHub (noreply@github.com) — they typically reference you by your username.

You can also check GitHub's notification center by clicking the bell icon at the top of any GitHub page. Notifications show your username in the context of who performed an action. If you've been active on GitHub, you likely have at least one email that shows your username clearly.

Search for Your Contributions

Go to the search bar at the top of GitHub and search for your email address or real name. Any repositories, issues, or pull requests you've created will show up with your username attached as the author. This works because GitHub indexes all public activity by the account that created it.

You can also navigate to github.com/search and use the advanced search filters to find contributions by email. The results will display your username next to each item you've created or contributed to. This method is useful if you haven't logged in recently and want to confirm your account details.

Check Collaboration History and Pull Requests

If you've collaborated with someone on a repository, they can tell you your username — they see it when they view the repository's contributors or when you open a pull request. You can also look at any pull requests or issues you've created; your username appears as the author.

Visit any repository where you've been a contributor and look at the "Contributors" section. Your username will be listed there with a link to your profile. Similarly, any comments you've left on issues or pull requests show your username as the person who wrote them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username is visible on your profile page, which you reach by clicking your profile picture and selecting "Your profile."
  • Account Settings under the "Account" section displays your username alongside other login information.
  • Any repository URL you own contains your username in the format github.com/yourname/repository-name.
  • GitHub emails and notifications reference your username when you're mentioned or when activity happens on your repositories.
  • Searching for your email address or name in GitHub's search bar will show all your contributions with your username attached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my GitHub username the same as my display name?

No. Your username is the handle you use to log in and the one that appears in URLs and when people mention you with @. Your display name is a separate field you can set to anything — it can be your real name, a nickname, or anything else. Other people see your display name on your profile, but your username is what matters for mentions and links.

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes, you can change it in Account Settings. However, GitHub warns that changing your username will break any links to your old profile, repositories, and pull requests. Old links will not redirect automatically, so collaborators or projects that reference your old username may have broken links.

What if I forgot my password but remember my username?

Go to github.com/login and click "Forgot password?" You'll be asked to enter your email address or username. GitHub will send a password reset link to the email associated with your account. You don't need to remember your username to reset your password — your email is enough.

Does my username have to match my real name?

No. GitHub usernames can be any combination of letters, numbers, and hyphens. Many people use their real name, but others use nicknames, project names, or anything else. Your display name is where you can put your real name if you want it visible on your profile.

Where do I see my username if I'm not logged in?

If you know the email address associated with your account, you can search for it on GitHub's search page to find your public repositories and contributions. Your username will appear next to each item. You can also visit github.com/username if you remember it, or ask a collaborator who has worked with you before.