Where to find your PayPal username

Your PayPal username is the name you chose when you created your account — not your email address, though many people confuse the two. You can find it by logging into PayPal, going to Settings, and looking at the Account section. The username appears next to your profile picture at the top of most PayPal pages once you are logged in.

If you have not logged in for a while, you may have forgotten whether you set a username at all. PayPal allows you to use either your email address or a username to log in, so you might have skipped creating one. The quickest way to check is to try logging in with your email first — if that works, you can then look for a username in your settings.

Your username is different from your display name. The display name is what other PayPal users see when you send them money or they look up your profile. Your username is what you use to log in and what appears in your account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your PayPal username is found in Settings under the Account section, displayed next to your profile picture.
  • You can log in with either your email address or your username, so you may not have created one when you opened your account.
  • If you cannot remember your username, you can change it to something new in your account settings.
  • Your username is separate from your display name — one is for logging in, the other is what other users see.

Logging in to find your username

Go to paypal.com and click the Log In button in the top right corner. Enter your email address and password. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot your password?" and follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number.

Once you are logged in, look at the top right corner of the page. You will see a circular icon with your initials or profile picture. Click on it, then click Settings. In the Settings menu, click Account on the left side. Your username will appear in the Account Information section, usually listed as "Username" or "PayPal username."

What to do if you cannot find a username

If the Account Information section does not show a username, it means you never created one. PayPal lets you log in with just your email address, so a username was optional. You can create one now if you want to, or continue using your email to log in — both work the same way.

To create a username, stay in the Account section of Settings and look for an option that says "Create username" or "Add username." Click it and type the username you want. PayPal will tell you if the name is already taken. Usernames must be between 5 and 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and hyphens.

Changing your username

If you have a username but want to change it, go back to Settings and click Account. Look for an option to edit or change your username — it is usually a pencil icon or an "Edit" button next to your current username. Click it, type your new username, and save the change.

PayPal lets you change your username once every 30 days. If you changed it recently, you will have to wait until the 30 days are up before you can change it again. The system will show you when you are allowed to change it next.

Using your username to log in

Once you have a username, you can use it instead of your email address to log in to PayPal. Go to paypal.com, click Log In, and enter your username in the email field. Then enter your password and click Log In. Both your email and your username will work — you can use whichever one you remember.

Some people find a username easier to remember than an email address, especially if they have multiple email accounts. Others prefer to stick with their email. PayPal supports both, so the choice is yours.

If you cannot log in at all

If you have forgotten both your email and your password, click "Forgot your password?" on the PayPal login page. PayPal will ask you to verify your identity using your phone number, email recovery address, or security questions you set up when you created your account. Once you verify who you are, you can reset your password and log in.

If you do not have access to the phone number or email address linked to your account, contact PayPal's support team. Go to paypal.com/help, scroll down, and click "Contact Us." Choose the issue that matches your situation, and PayPal will offer options to reach a support agent by phone, email, or chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my PayPal username the same as my email address?

No. Your email is what you use to receive messages from PayPal, but your username is a separate name you create for logging in. You can log in with either one, but they are not the same thing.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Not immediately. PayPal enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes. If you changed it recently, you will have to wait until that period is over. After 30 days, you can change it to anything available, including your old username.

What if my username is already taken?

PayPal will tell you when you try to create or change your username. If the name you want is taken, try adding numbers or a period to it — for example, "john.smith1" instead of "johnsmith." You can keep trying different variations until you find one that is available.

Do I need a username to use PayPal?

No. You can log in and use PayPal with just your email address and password. A username is optional and only makes sense if you prefer it to your email or want to share a shorter name with other people.