Your Instagram profile URL is the web address people use to visit your profile from a browser

Your Instagram profile URL follows the pattern instagram.com/yourusername. If your username is @sarah_photos, your profile URL is instagram.com/sarah_photos. You can find this URL in three places: in your browser's address bar when you visit your own profile, in the link-in-bio field on your profile edit screen, or by copying it directly from Instagram's share options.

The URL is different from your display name — the display name is what appears above your posts and in search results, while your username is the permanent handle you chose when you created your account. Your URL always uses your username, never your display name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Instagram profile URL is instagram.com/ followed by your username, and it works the same whether you use a phone or computer.
  • You can copy your profile URL directly from your browser's address bar when you are viewing your own profile.
  • The link-in-bio field on your profile edit screen shows your URL and lets you copy it in one tap.
  • Changing your username changes your URL automatically, so old links to your profile will stop working.
  • You can share your profile URL through Instagram's built-in share button without typing it manually.

Finding your URL on a phone

Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. You are now on your profile page. Look at the top of the screen where your username appears — this is part of your URL. To copy the full URL, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the top right, then tap "Share profile." Instagram will show you options to copy the link or share it to other apps.

If you want to see the URL in your browser instead, tap the three lines again and select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Links and websites." The link-in-bio field shows your profile URL. You can tap it to copy the full address.

Finding your URL on a computer

Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon at the bottom left of the screen, or search for your username in the search bar. When you are on your profile page, look at the address bar at the very top of your browser — it will show instagram.com/yourusername. Highlight this entire address, right-click, and select "Copy" to save it.

You can also click the three dots at the top right of your profile and select "Share profile" to see sharing options. This will show your URL and let you copy it without typing it out.

What happens if you change your username

If you change your Instagram username, your profile URL changes automatically. The old URL stops working, and anyone who tries to visit your old link will see an error. This matters if you have shared your profile URL on a website, in an email, or in other places — those links will no longer point to your profile.

Before you change your username, think about where you have shared your old URL. You may need to update links on your personal website, business pages, or other social media accounts. Instagram does not redirect old usernames to new ones, so there is no grace period.

Using your URL to share your profile

Your profile URL is the easiest way to let someone find you on Instagram without them having to search. You can paste it into a text message, email, or social media post. When someone clicks the link from a phone, it will open your profile in the Instagram app if they have it installed, or in their browser if they do not.

If you run a business or create content, you can put your profile URL in your email signature, on your website, or in your other social media bios. This gives people a direct path to follow you without searching for your username.

Why your URL might look different

If your username contains special characters or spaces, Instagram converts them when you create your account — usernames can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. So if you tried to create a username with a space or hyphen, Instagram would have changed it automatically. Your URL reflects the username Instagram actually created for you.

Some older accounts may have URLs that look different if you set up a custom URL through Instagram's creator tools, but this is rare and only available to certain accounts. For most people, your URL is simply instagram.com/ plus your username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a different URL than my username?

No. Your Instagram URL is always based on your username and cannot be customized separately. If you want a different URL, you would need to change your username, which also changes your profile URL.

What if someone else has the username I want?

You cannot use a username that is already taken. If the account is inactive, you can report it to Instagram, but there is no may provide they will release the username. You would need to choose a different username for your profile URL.

Does my URL work if my account is private?

Yes. Your profile URL works whether your account is public or private. People can visit the URL and see your profile page, but they will only see your posts and information if you have approved them as a follower.

Can I use my profile URL to log in to Instagram?

No. Your profile URL is only for visiting your profile in a browser. To log in to Instagram, you use your username or email address and password in the Instagram app or website login screen.

What if I forget my username?

Go to instagram.com and click "Forgot password?" Enter the email or phone number linked to your account. Instagram will send you a message with your username, or let you reset your password and log back in to see your username on your profile.