Where to find your GitLab username right now

Your GitLab username is visible in the top right corner of any page when you are logged in. Click your profile picture or avatar — the small circle or icon in the upper right — and a dropdown menu appears. Your username is listed at the top of that menu, often shown as "@username". If you are on your profile page, the username also appears directly under your name in large text.

If you cannot log in or do not remember your password, go to gitlab.com and look for the "Sign in" button. On the sign-in page, there is a "Forgot your password?" link. Click it, enter the email address you used to create your account, and GitLab will send you a password reset link. Once you reset your password and log back in, your username will be visible in the top right corner as described above.

Your username is different from your display name. The username is what appears in URLs (like gitlab.com/your-username) and in mentions. The display name is what shows up in comments and discussions. You can have a formal display name while keeping a straightforward username, or vice versa.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitLab username appears in the dropdown menu under your profile picture in the top right corner of any page when logged in.
  • If you are logged out, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page to reset your password and regain access to your account.
  • Your username is the handle used in URLs and mentions, separate from your display name which appears in comments.
  • On your profile page, your username is displayed prominently under your full name in large text.

Finding your username on your profile page

Navigate to your profile by clicking your avatar in the top right corner and selecting "Profile" from the dropdown menu. This takes you to your profile page, where your username appears directly under your full name. The username is shown with an @ symbol in front of it, like @john-smith or @jane.doe.

Your profile page also shows your username in the URL at the top of your browser. If your profile URL is gitlab.com/users/alex-johnson, then your username is alex-johnson. This URL format is consistent — the username always comes after /users/ in the profile link.

Checking your username in project URLs and settings

Any project you own or contribute to will have your username in its URL. If you created a project called "website-redesign", the full URL might be gitlab.com/your-username/website-redesign. The part between gitlab.com/ and the project name is your username. This is a quick way to confirm your username if you have access to any of your projects.

You can also find your username in your account settings. Click your avatar in the top right, select "Preferences" or "Settings", and look for the "Account" section. Your username is listed there along with other account details like your email address and account creation date.

What to do if you cannot remember your username

If you have forgotten your username but remember your email address, reset your password first. Go to gitlab.com, click "Sign in", then "Forgot your password?". Enter the email address associated with your account. GitLab sends a password reset link to that email. Click the link, create a new password, and log in. Once logged in, your username will be visible in the top right corner.

If you do not have access to the email address you used to create your account, you will need to contact GitLab support. Go to gitlab.com/help and look for the support or contact options. Explain that you cannot access your account and provide any details you remember — the name you used, approximate date you created the account, or any projects you worked on. GitLab support can help verify your identity and restore access.

Understanding username format and restrictions

GitLab usernames follow specific rules. They can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, underscores, and periods. Usernames are case-insensitive, meaning @John-Smith and @john-smith refer to the same account. Usernames must be between 1 and 255 characters, though most people use much shorter ones for simplicity.

Your username cannot contain spaces or special characters like @, #, $, or %. If you created an account with a username that looks unusual or you are unsure whether it is correct, check your profile page or account settings to see exactly what GitLab has registered.

Using your username to mention people and share projects

Once you know your username, you can use it to mention yourself or others in comments and discussions. Type @ followed by the username — for example, @alex-johnson — and GitLab will highlight the mention. The person you mention will receive a notification. This works in comments, merge request discussions, and issue threads.

You can also share your profile or projects using your username in the URL. If someone wants to visit your profile, they can go to gitlab.com/your-username. If you want to share a specific project, the URL is gitlab.com/your-username/project-name. Sharing these links is simpler than copying and pasting profile IDs or project numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitLab username?

Yes. Go to your account settings by clicking your avatar and selecting "Preferences" or "Settings", then find the "Account" section. Look for a "Change username" or "Username" field. Enter your new username and save. Be aware that changing your username will update all URLs associated with your account and projects, which may break existing links people have saved.

Is my username the same as my email address?

No. Your email address and username are separate. Your email is what you use to log in (along with your password), while your username is your public handle on GitLab. You can change your username without changing your email, and vice versa.

What if my username appears different in different places?

Check your profile page and account settings to see what GitLab has officially registered. Sometimes your display name (which you can customize) appears in comments instead of your username. The official username is always shown in your profile and in URLs. If something looks wrong, visit your account settings to confirm.

Can someone else have the same username as me?

No. GitLab usernames are unique across the entire platform. Once you create a username, no one else can use it. If you see a username you want but it is taken, you will need to choose a different one.