Your Facebook username is different from your 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 part after facebook.com/. It's not the same as your display name, which is what appears on your posts and comments. Your display name can change anytime and can include spaces, but your username is permanent once you set it, and it has no spaces.

If you're trying to find your own username, the fastest way is to look at your profile URL. If you're looking for someone else's username, you'll need to visit their profile and check the URL in your browser's address bar. This works whether you're on a computer or phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook username appears in your profile URL after facebook.com/ and is different from your display name.
  • To find your own username, go to your profile and look at the web address in your browser — the username comes after the forward slash.
  • To find someone else's username, visit their profile and check the URL; if they haven't set a custom username, Facebook shows a number instead.
  • Not all Facebook users have custom usernames — some only have a numeric ID, which you can still use to tag or message them.

Finding your own username on a computer

Open Facebook in your web browser and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the menu that appears. Look at the address bar at the top of your browser — it will show something like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/yourname123. Everything after the last forward slash is your username.

If the URL shows only numbers instead of a name (like facebook.com/100012345678), you haven't set a custom username yet. Facebook assigns every account a numeric ID by default. You can create a custom username by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then clicking "Username" in the left menu. You can only set a username once, so choose carefully.

Finding your own username on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on Android, or the bottom center on iPhone. Tap your name at the top of the menu. This takes you to your profile. Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select "Copy profile URL." Paste this into a notes app or text message — the username appears after facebook.com/.

If you're using the mobile browser instead of the app, tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top right, scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll to "Username" and tap it to see your current username or create a new one.

Finding someone else's username

Search for the person's name in Facebook's search bar at the top of the page. Click on their profile when it appears. Look at the address bar in your browser — the username appears after facebook.com/. If you're on a phone, you can tap the three dots on their profile and select "Copy profile URL," then paste it somewhere to read the username.

Some people have not set a custom username, so their profile URL will show a long string of numbers instead. This is their numeric ID, and it works the same way for tagging or messaging — you can use either a username or a numeric ID to reach someone. If the profile is private and you're not friends with them, you may not be able to see their full profile, but you can still see their username in the search results.

Why you might need someone's username

Facebook usernames are useful for tagging people in posts and comments, sending them direct messages, or creating a link to share their profile. When you type @ in a comment or post, Facebook's autocomplete will show you usernames of people you know. You can also use a username to mention someone in a message.

If you're trying to message someone and you only have their display name, searching for them first and noting their username makes it easier to find them again later. Usernames are also more stable than display names — someone can change their display name as often as they want, but a username stays the same.

What to do if you can't find the username

If someone's profile is completely private or deactivated, you won't be able to see their username even if you search for them. In this case, you can still message them if you're already friends — just search for their name in your Messenger app and start a conversation.

If you're trying to find an old account and can't locate it, the person may have deactivated or deleted their account. Deactivated accounts are hidden from search but can be reactivated by the owner. Deleted accounts are permanently removed and cannot be recovered. If you need to reach someone, try searching for them by email address or phone number if you have it — Facebook will show their account if it's still active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook username?

You can change your username once after you create it. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then click "Username" and select "Edit." After you change it, you must wait 60 days before changing it again. Your old username becomes available for someone else to use.

Is my username the same as my email address?

No. Your email address is what you use to log in, but your username is the handle in your profile URL. You can have a Facebook account with an email address but no custom username — in that case, Facebook uses your numeric ID instead.

What if someone else took the username I want?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If the username you want is taken, you can choose a different one. You cannot request that someone else give up their username, and Facebook does not transfer usernames between accounts.

Do I have to set a custom username?

No. If you don't set a custom username, Facebook assigns you a numeric ID instead. Both work for tagging, messaging, and sharing — a username is just easier to remember and share with others.

Can I see someone's username if they blocked me?

No. If someone blocks you, you cannot visit their profile or see their username. You can only see their username if you were able to view their profile before they blocked you and you wrote down the information.