How to Find the URL on Facebook: Profiles, Pages, and Posts Explained
Facebook URLs aren't hidden — they're just not always obvious, especially since the platform has changed how it displays them depending on whether you're on a desktop browser, the mobile app, or mobile web. Knowing where to look, and what format to expect, saves a lot of confusion.
What Is a Facebook URL?
A Facebook URL is the web address that points to a specific piece of content on Facebook — a profile, a business Page, a post, a group, or an event. Like any URL, it starts with https://www.facebook.com/ and is followed by a unique identifier.
That identifier can be:
- A custom username (e.g.,
facebook.com/yourname) - A numeric Page or profile ID (e.g.,
facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789) - A post-specific string that includes the user ID and post ID
Which format you see depends on whether the account has set a custom username and which type of content you're looking at.
How to Find a Facebook Profile URL
On Desktop (Browser)
This is the most straightforward method:
- Go to the Facebook profile you want the URL for
- Look at the address bar at the top of your browser
- The full URL is displayed there — click it to highlight, then copy
If the profile has a custom username set, you'll see something clean like https://www.facebook.com/johndoe. If not, you'll see the longer numeric ID version.
On the Facebook Mobile App 📱
The app doesn't show a traditional address bar, so you need a workaround:
- Go to the profile or Page
- Tap the three-dot menu (usually in the top right of the profile)
- Look for an option like "Copy Link" or "Share"
- Selecting "Copy Link" copies the URL directly to your clipboard
This works for both personal profiles and business Pages.
On Mobile Web (Browser on Phone)
If you're accessing Facebook through a mobile browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) rather than the app:
- Navigate to the profile
- Tap the address bar at the top of the browser
- The URL will appear — tap and hold to copy it
Mobile web typically shows a slightly different URL format than desktop, sometimes using m.facebook.com instead of www.facebook.com, but both point to the same content.
How to Find the URL of a Facebook Post
Individual posts have their own URLs, which is useful for sharing a specific update, photo, or video rather than an entire profile.
On Desktop
- Find the post in your feed or on someone's timeline
- Click the timestamp (the date/time shown below the poster's name — e.g., "3 hours ago" or "June 12")
- This opens the post on its own page
- Copy the URL from the address bar
The timestamp link is the most reliable method. Avoid using the "Share" button URL if your goal is a direct permanent link — share links can behave differently depending on privacy settings.
On Mobile App
- Tap the three-dot menu on the post
- Select "Copy Link"
That copies the direct post URL to your clipboard.
How to Find Your Own Facebook Profile URL
Your own URL follows the same logic:
- Tap or click your profile picture or name to go to your own profile
- Follow the same steps above — check the address bar on desktop, or use the three-dot menu on mobile
If you want a clean, shareable URL, you may want to set a custom username in your Facebook settings. Without one, your URL will be the longer numeric format, which works fine but is harder to remember or share verbally.
Variables That Affect What You See 🔍
Not every Facebook URL looks the same. Several factors influence the format:
| Factor | Effect on URL |
|---|---|
| Custom username set | Short, readable URL (/username) |
| No custom username | Numeric ID format (profile.php?id=...) |
| Mobile app vs. browser | App hides URL; browser shows it in address bar |
| Mobile web vs. desktop | May show m.facebook.com vs. www.facebook.com |
| Post privacy settings | Some post URLs only work for people with access |
| Business Page vs. personal profile | Pages often have distinct username formats |
A Note on Facebook's URL Formats
Facebook has used several URL structures over the years and continues to update its interface. You may encounter:
/username— clean custom URL/profile.php?id=XXXXXXXXXX— older numeric format/permalink/XXXXXXX/— common in post URLs/groups/groupname/permalink/XXXXXXX/— group post URLs
All of these are valid and functional. The numeric ID format isn't broken or wrong — it's simply what Facebook assigns when no custom name has been claimed.
When the URL Isn't Visible
Some Facebook content restricts who can access a direct URL. Private profiles, friends-only posts, and closed group content may produce URLs that work for some users but not others. If you copy and share a URL from a private post, someone without access will hit a login wall or an error — not the content itself.
This is particularly relevant if you're trying to share a post externally or embed it somewhere. Public posts and Pages have the most reliable, universally accessible URLs.
Understanding the format that applies to your specific content type — and the device you're using to find it — is what determines exactly where to look and what you'll get.