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

When you log 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 text that shows up in that menu — it's the name you chose when you created your account, not your full name or email address.

If you're not signed in, you won't see your username anywhere on the page. You'll need to click the "Sign in" button in the top right corner and enter your login credentials first.

Your username is also visible on your public profile page. Once you're signed in, click that same avatar in the top right and select "Your profile" from the dropdown. The URL of that page will show your username: github.com/yourusername. Whatever text appears after the slash is your GitHub username.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username is displayed in the dropdown menu under your profile picture in the top right corner when you're signed in.
  • You can also find it in the URL of your public profile page, which always follows the pattern github.com/yourusername.
  • Your username is different from your full name or email address — it's the unique handle you chose during account creation.
  • Other people use your username to mention you in comments, find your repositories, and collaborate with you on projects.

How to locate your username on your profile settings page

Another reliable place to find your username is in your account settings. Click the avatar in the top right corner and select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, you'll see a navigation menu. Look for "Account" or "Public profile" — the exact label depends on which version of GitHub you're using.

Once you're in that section, your username will be displayed prominently near the top. It's listed as "Username" or sometimes "Login" in the settings interface. This is also the place where you can change your username if you want to, though GitHub warns that changing it will break links to your old profile.

Why you might need to know your GitHub username

Your GitHub username is how other people find and mention you. When someone wants to tag you in a comment or pull request, they type the @ symbol followed by your username — for example, @sarah-chen. Without knowing your username, they can't notify you directly.

You also need your username when you're setting up Git on your computer, cloning repositories you own, or pushing code back to GitHub. Some workflows require you to reference your username in commands or configuration files. If you're collaborating with a team, sharing your username makes it straightforward for them to look up your work and see all the repositories you maintain.

The difference between your username and your display name

GitHub lets you set two different names: your username and your display name. Your username is the unique identifier you chose when you signed up — it can't have spaces and is used in URLs and commands. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in comments, and it can include spaces, special characters, and be changed anytime without affecting your account.

If you see a name on someone's profile that looks like "Sarah Chen" but their username is "sarah-chen", that's the difference. The display name is for readability; the username is for functionality. When you need to reference someone in code or commands, always use the username, not the display name.

Finding someone else's GitHub username

If you need to find another person's GitHub username, visit their public profile. Their username will be in the URL: github.com/theirusername. You can also see it displayed on their profile page, usually near their profile picture and display name.

If you know their email address but not their username, you can search for them using GitHub's search feature. Type their name or email into the search box at the top of any GitHub page, select "Users" from the filter options, and browse the results. Keep in mind that not all GitHub users make their email address public, so this method doesn't always work.

What to do if you've forgotten your username

If you can't remember your username but you still have access to the email address associated with your account, you can recover it. Go to github.com and click "Sign in." If you've forgotten your username, click "Forgot password?" and follow the recovery steps. GitHub will send a password reset link to your email, and once you've reset your password and logged in, you'll see your username in the top right corner.

If you no longer have access to the email address on file, GitHub's support team can help you regain access to your account. Visit GitHub's support page and submit a request explaining your situation. They'll ask you to verify your identity before they can show you your username or help you change the email address on file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes, you can change it in your account settings under "Account" or "Public profile." GitHub warns that changing your username will break old links to your profile and repositories, so collaborators may have trouble finding your work. Consider updating any documentation or links you've shared before making the change.

Is my GitHub username the same as my login email?

No. Your username is the unique handle you chose during signup, while your login email is the email address associated with your account. You can sign in using either your username or your email address, but they are not the same thing.

What if someone else has the username I want?

GitHub usernames are first-come, first-served. If the username you want is already taken, you'll need to choose a different one. You can search for a username on GitHub to see if it's available before you create your account.

Do I need to share my username with anyone?

You only need to share your username with people who want to collaborate with you, mention you in comments, or look up your repositories. Your username is public information — anyone can see it on your profile — so there's no security risk in sharing it.