What an Instagram web address is and where to find it
Your Instagram web address is the URL that takes someone directly to your profile when they paste it into a browser. It looks like instagram.com/yourusername and works the same whether someone clicks it from a link or types it manually. Every Instagram account has one automatically — you do not need to create it or change any settings.
The address is based on your username, so if your username is sarah_photography, your web address is instagram.com/sarah_photography. If you change your username later, your web address changes too. The old address stops working, and anyone who saved the old link will see a "user not found" error.
You can find your own web address by opening Instagram on any browser, going to your profile, and looking at what appears in the address bar at the top of the screen. That is your web address. You can also find it on your phone by tapping your profile picture, then tapping the three horizontal lines (menu), then tapping your username — the address bar will show your web address.
Key Takeaways
- Your Instagram web address is automatically created when you make an account and is based on your username.
- The format is always instagram.com/yourusername, and it changes if you change your username.
- You can copy your web address from the browser address bar or use Instagram's built-in share button to get a link.
- Changing your username breaks any old links people saved, so old web addresses will no longer work.
- You cannot customize the web address to something other than your username — Instagram does not offer custom URLs.
How to copy your web address on a computer
Open Instagram in any web browser and log in to your account. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner, then click Profile from the dropdown menu. You are now on your profile page.
Look at the address bar at the very top of the browser window. You will see instagram.com/ followed by your username. Click once in the address bar to select it, then right-click and choose Copy, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac. The address is now copied to your clipboard and ready to paste anywhere.
If you want to share the link directly from Instagram instead, click the three dots in the top right corner of your profile and select Copy link. This copies the same web address to your clipboard without you having to touch the address bar.
How to copy your web address on your phone
Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen. You are now viewing your profile. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right corner.
Scroll down and tap Copy link. Instagram copies your web address to your phone's clipboard. You can now paste it into a text message, email, or any other app by opening that app, tapping where you want the link to go, and selecting Paste.
If you are using a browser on your phone instead of the app, tap the address bar at the top, then tap and hold until the text is highlighted. A menu will appear with a Copy option. Tap it to copy your web address.
What happens when you change your username
If you change your Instagram username, your web address changes immediately. The old web address becomes inactive and will not work anymore. Anyone who saved the old link, bookmarked it, or shared it will see an error page saying the user does not exist.
Before you change your username, think about where you have shared your old web address. If you have it on a business card, a website, or in your email signature, you will need to update those places with your new web address. If you have shared it widely on social media or in messages, you may want to post an announcement with your new address so people can find you.
Instagram allows you to change your username once every 14 days. If you change it back to your old username within that time, the old web address will work again.
Sharing your web address with others
Once you have copied your web address, you can paste it anywhere you want people to find your profile. Common places include email signatures, text messages, other social media bios, websites, or printed materials like business cards or flyers.
When someone clicks or pastes your web address into a browser, they will land directly on your profile page. They do not need an Instagram account to view your profile if you have set it to public. If your profile is private, they will see your profile picture and bio but will not see your posts unless you have already approved them as a follower.
You can also use Instagram's built-in share features to send your profile to specific people. From your profile, tap the three dots and select Share profile. This opens a menu where you can choose which app or contact to send your profile link to.
Why your web address matters
Your web address is the easiest way for people to find your profile without having to search for your username or remember your exact spelling. It is especially useful if your username is long, has numbers, or uses underscores that are easy to mistype.
If you use Instagram for business or personal branding, your web address is a key tool for directing traffic to your profile. You can include it in your email signature, on your website, in video descriptions, or anywhere else you want to drive people to your Instagram account. The shorter and easier to remember your username is, the more likely people are to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a custom Instagram web address that is not my username?
No. Instagram does not offer custom URLs. Your web address is always based on your username and follows the format instagram.com/yourusername. If you want a shorter or different web address, you would need to change your username, but remember that this breaks any old links you have shared.
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 Instagram will release it. Your web address will always match your current username, so if you want a specific web address, you need the username that goes with it.
Does my web address work if my profile is private?
Yes, the web address works for private profiles too. When someone visits your private profile web address, they will see your profile picture, bio, and follower count, but they will not see your posts unless they follow you and you have approved them. The link itself does not change based on your privacy settings.
Can I use my web address on other websites?
Yes. You can paste your Instagram web address anywhere — in your email signature, on your personal website, in your LinkedIn profile, or anywhere else you want to link to your Instagram account. It works like any other link and will take people directly to your profile when they click it.
What if I delete my Instagram account?
Once you delete your account, your web address becomes inactive. If someone tries to visit it, they will see a "user not found" error. If you reactivate your account within 30 days, your web address works again. After 30 days, the account is permanently deleted and the web address cannot be recovered.