Your username is in your profile URL or account settings

Your Facebook username is the short name that appears in your profile web address. If your profile URL is facebook.com/john.smith.2024, then "john.smith.2024" is your username. You can find it in two places: in the address bar when you visit your own profile, or in your account settings under "Username".

Not every Facebook account has a username. If you created your account years ago and never set one, Facebook may not have assigned one automatically. In that case, you can create one yourself in settings, and it will become part of your profile URL from that point forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname) and is different from your full name or email address.
  • You can find your current username by visiting your profile and looking at the web address, or by opening account settings and selecting "Username".
  • If you do not have a username, you can create one in account settings, and Facebook will not let you change it for 60 days after creation.
  • Your username is used to tag you in posts, send you messages, and create a direct link to your profile that works even if you change your full name.

How to find your username in account settings

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side, look for "Personal information" and click it. You will see a section labeled "Username" with your current username displayed next to it.

If the username field is blank or shows only a number, you have not yet created a username. You can create one by clicking on the username field and typing a new one. Facebook will check whether it is available, and if it is, you can save it. Once you create a username, you cannot change it for 60 days.

Finding your username from your profile page

The quickest way to see your username is to visit your own profile. Click your profile picture in the top left corner of Facebook, or search for your name and click on your profile from the results. Look at the web address in your browser's address bar at the top of the screen. Everything after "facebook.com/" is your username.

If the address shows a long string of numbers instead of a name (like facebook.com/100087654321), you have not created a username yet. You can still create one by going to settings as described above. The numbered version will always work, but a username is easier for other people to remember and share.

The difference between your username and your full name

Your full name is what appears on your profile and in posts you make. Your username is a separate identifier that Facebook uses to create your profile URL. You can change your full name whenever you want, but your username has a 60-day waiting period after you create or change it.

Other people can tag you using either your full name or your username. If you change your full name, your username stays the same, so anyone who has your profile link will still be able to find you. This is why usernames are useful — they do not change when you update your name.

What to do if you cannot find your username

If you have looked in settings and the username field is empty, Facebook has not assigned you one. This is normal for older accounts. You can create a username by clicking in that field and typing something you want to use. Keep it simple and memorable — you cannot change it for 60 days once you save it.

If you see only a number in the username field, that is your temporary ID. You can replace it with a custom username by clicking on it and typing a new one. Facebook will tell you immediately if the username is taken or if it contains characters that are not allowed.

Why you might need your username

Your username is used when someone wants to tag you in a post or comment, send you a direct message, or create a link to your profile to share with others. It is also the name that appears in your profile URL, which is what people see when they visit your page or when you share your profile link.

Some people use their username on other platforms too, so having a consistent name across Facebook, Instagram, and other accounts can make you easier to find. However, your username on Facebook is independent from any other account you might have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. Go to Settings, click "Personal information," find "Username," and click on it to edit. Type your new username and save. Facebook will not let you change it again for 60 days after you make the change.

What if my username is already taken?

Facebook will tell you the username is unavailable when you try to save it. Choose a different one. You can add numbers, periods, or underscores to make a variation of the name you want — for example, john.smith.2024 instead of john.smith.

Is my username the same as my email address?

No. Your email address is what you use to log in to Facebook. Your username is a separate name that appears in your profile URL. You can have a username without using it to log in.

What happens if I do not create a username?

Your profile will still work fine. Facebook will use a numbered ID in your profile URL instead. Other people can still find you by searching your full name, but they cannot use a short username link to reach your profile.

Can someone else use my username if I do not create one?

No. Your numbered ID is reserved for you. However, creating a custom username makes your profile easier to share and remember, so it is worth doing if you plan to share your profile link with others.