A Facebook username is different from a display name, and you need to know which one you're looking for

Your Facebook username is the unique handle that appears in your profile URL — the web address you share with others. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/john.smith.1234. Your display name is what appears on your posts and profile, and it can be changed anytime without affecting your username. Most people confuse the two because Facebook shows the display name everywhere, but the username is what you actually need to find someone's profile link or send them a direct message by handle.

Finding someone's username depends on whether you're looking for your own or someone else's, and whether their profile is public or private. The steps differ slightly, but the core method is the same: visit the profile and look at the URL.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook username appears in your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname) and is different from your display name, which can change anytime.
  • To find your own username, go to your profile and look at the web address in your browser's address bar.
  • To find someone else's username, visit their profile and check the URL — you only need to see the part after facebook.com/.
  • If someone's profile is private and you're not friends with them, you may not be able to see their username or access their profile at all.
  • Usernames can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot be changed once set — you can only change your display name.

Finding your own Facebook username

Open Facebook and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the menu. Look at the web address in your browser's address bar at the top of the screen. The part after facebook.com/ is your username. If the URL shows a long string of numbers instead of a name, you have not set a custom username yet — Facebook assigned you a numeric ID instead.

If you see numbers and want a custom username, you can set one. Click the three-line menu icon in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal information." Find the "Username" field and click "Edit." Type the username you want (it must be at least five characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores). Click "Check availability" to see if it's taken. If it's available, click "Save." You can only set a custom username once — after that, you cannot change it, though you can change your display name as often as you want.

Finding someone else's username

Search for the person's name in the Facebook search bar at the top of any page. Click on their profile from the results. Look at the web address in your browser's address bar. The part after facebook.com/ is their username. That's all you need to do — the username is always visible in the URL, even if the person's profile is partially private.

If you cannot find the person by name, try searching for their email address or phone number if you have it. If their profile is completely private and you're not friends with them, you may see only their name and profile picture, but the URL will still show their username. Copy the username from the address bar if you need it for messaging or sharing their profile.

What to do if the URL shows numbers instead of a name

If you visit someone's profile and the URL shows facebook.com/100012345678 (a long number), that person has not set a custom username. They are using their numeric Facebook ID instead. This is common for older accounts or accounts that were created before custom usernames became standard.

You can still message this person or share their profile using the numeric ID, but it's less memorable. If you're trying to find them again later, save their profile URL or add them as a friend so you can find them through your friends list. There's no way to look up someone's numeric ID if you don't have their profile link, so write it down if you need it.

Usernames versus display names — why the difference matters

Facebook lets you change your display name (the name that shows on your posts and profile) as often as you want. Your username, once set, is permanent. This is why some people have a display name that's completely different from their username. For example, someone might have the username "sarah.jones.1995" but set their display name to "SJ" or "Sarah J."

When you send a direct message to someone by typing their username (using the @ symbol), you're using their permanent username, not their display name. If you try to message someone by their display name and they've changed it recently, the message may not go through. Always use the username if you're messaging by handle.

How to message someone using their username

Once you have someone's username, you can message them directly by typing it. Open Facebook Messenger and click "New Message" or the pencil icon. Type @ followed by their username (for example, @sarah.jones.1995). Their profile should appear in the dropdown. Click it to open a new conversation. Type your message and send it.

This works whether or not you're friends with the person, though they may not see your message in their main inbox if you're not connected — it might go to their "Message Requests" folder instead. They can still read it and reply if they choose to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook username?

No. Once you set a custom username, it's permanent and cannot be changed. You can change your display name as many times as you want, but the username in your profile URL stays the same. If you regret your username choice, your only option is to create a new Facebook account with a different username.

What if someone's profile doesn't show a username?

If the URL shows only numbers, they haven't set a custom username yet. You can still find and message them using their numeric ID (the number string in the URL), but it's less convenient. Ask them to set a custom username if you need an easier way to reference their profile.

Can I find someone's username if they're not my friend?

Yes, as long as their profile is public or visible to you. Visit their profile and check the URL in your address bar — the username is always there. If their profile is completely private and you're not friends, you may not be able to access their profile at all, depending on their privacy settings.

Is a Facebook username the same as a handle?

Yes. Username and handle mean the same thing on Facebook — it's the unique identifier that appears in your profile URL and the name you use when messaging someone with the @ symbol. Your display name is different and can change anytime.

What characters can I use in a Facebook username?

Facebook usernames can contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), periods (.), and underscores (_). Usernames must be at least five characters long and cannot contain spaces or special characters like hyphens or exclamation marks. Facebook will tell you if your chosen username breaks these rules when you try to set it.