Your Facebook Web Address
Username Basics
Usernames and user IDs are part of your public profile, which helps your friends find you on Facebook.
Usernames
Your username is often a variation of your name like jane.doe33 or janedoe3. You can create your own username, or choose a username that Facebook suggests. Here are some of the things usernames do:
- Usernames create a custom link (ex: www.facebook.com/janedoe3) to your profile that you can share with your friends or post on external websites.
- Usernames can also be used to access information about you through Facebook. For example, if your username is janedoe3, someone can go to “facebook.com/janedoe3”to see your profile and any public information. Learn how to adjust what people can see in your profile.
Learn how to create a username for your profile.
User IDs
If you don't create a username, you'll still have a User ID. A User ID is a string of numbers that doesn't personally identify you but does connect to your Facebook account. Here are some of the things User IDs do:
- Like usernames, if someone has your user ID, they can use it to see your profile and any public information. Learn how to adjust what people can see in your profile.
- Your user ID also helps applications personalize your experience by connecting with your Facebook account. When you allow apps to connect with your Facebook account, they can use your user ID to see things like your public profile and your friend list.
- If you have a problem with an app or a game, sharing your user ID with the developer may help them better address your question or concern.
Learn how to find your user ID.
Selecting a Username
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you create a custom username:
- You can't claim a username someone else is already using.
- Usernames can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) or a period (".").
- Periods (".") and capitalization don't count as a part of a username. For example, johnsmith55, John.Smith55 and john.smith.55 are all considered the same username.
- Usernames must be at least 5 characters long and can't contain generic terms or extensions (ex: .com, .net).
- You must be an admin to create or change the username for a Page.
- Your username must adhere to the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.
Usernames may be unavailable for many reasons, even if it seems like they aren't being used. For example, a username could be taken by a Page that isn't published yet. Also, we prevent certain words from being included in usernames. Make sure the username you're trying to claim follows our guidelines for custom usernames. If the username you want is already taken or not approved, you'll need to pick a different one.
Keep in mind that usernames may become available on a first-come, first-served basis. To see if a username has become available, go to facebook.com/username.
Note: You must be an admin to set a username for your Page.
Changing Your Username
You can only change the username for your personal profile once. To change your username:
- Click
at the top right of any Facebook page and select Settings - Click Username
- Enter your new username and your password, then click Save Changes
Page admins can also change their Page's username once. Learn how to change your Page's username.
- Click About on the left side of your Page
- Click Page Info
- Click to edit the Username section
- Enter a new username
- If the username is available, click Create Username
Username Abuse
If your account was taken over by someone else, you should first secure your account to make sure no one else has access to it:
- If you still have access to your account, reset your password
- If you can't access your account, secure it
Once you've secured your account, you can change your username. Please keep in mind that you can only change your username once.