Free Guide to Finding Your Facebook Profile URL

Understanding Your Facebook Profile URL

Your Facebook profile URL is the web address that points directly to your profile page. It's different from your Facebook username or your display name. When someone visits your profile or you want to share your profile link with others, the URL is what appears in the browser's address bar at the top of the screen. For example, a Facebook profile URL might look like "facebook.com/john.smith.123456" or "facebook.com/johnsmith" depending on how your profile is set up.

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Facebook offers two main formats for profile URLs. The first format uses your numeric Facebook ID, which is a unique number assigned to your account when you create it. This number stays the same throughout your account's lifetime. The second format uses a custom username that you can create and change, making your profile easier to remember and share. Understanding the difference between these formats helps you know which version to use in different situations.

Your profile URL is public information by default, meaning anyone can find and visit it if they search for you on Facebook. This URL works the same way whether you're on a computer or mobile device. Knowing your own profile URL is useful for several reasons: you might want to share it with friends, include it on your website or resume, or simply verify that your profile appears the way you intend it to.

The process of finding your profile URL is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. You don't need any special permissions or technical knowledge. Whether your account is brand new or you've had it for years, your profile URL exists and can be found using the methods described in this guide.

Practical takeaway: Your Facebook profile URL is the direct web link to your profile page. It comes in two formats—one with your numeric ID and one with a custom username. This URL is public information that anyone can visit.

Finding Your Profile URL on Desktop Computers

Finding your profile URL on a desktop computer using a web browser is the most straightforward method. Start by opening Facebook.com in your browser and logging into your account if you're not already logged in. Once you're logged in, look for your profile picture or name, usually located in the top right corner of the page. Click on this area to open a dropdown menu with several options.

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From the dropdown menu, select the option that says "View Profile" or simply click on your profile picture. This takes you directly to your profile page. Once you're on your profile page, look at the address bar at the very top of your browser window. The text that appears there is your profile URL. It will begin with "facebook.com/" followed by either your username or your numeric ID.

If you see a URL like "facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789," this is your profile URL using your numeric ID format. If you see something like "facebook.com/john.smith," this is your URL using a custom username. Both formats work identically—they're just different ways of expressing the same profile address.

Once you've located the URL in the address bar, you can copy it. Click once on the address bar to select it, then use Ctrl+C (on Windows) or Command+C (on Mac) to copy the text. You can then paste this URL anywhere you need it—into an email, on another website, in a document, or when messaging someone. Some browsers allow you to right-click on the address bar and select "Copy" as well.

Practical takeaway: Visit your profile page on desktop by clicking your profile picture and selecting "View Profile," then copy the URL directly from your browser's address bar. This is the quickest way to obtain your profile link.

Finding Your Profile URL on Mobile Devices

Finding your profile URL on a mobile device—whether you're using the Facebook app or a mobile web browser—follows a similar process to the desktop method. If you're using the Facebook app on your phone or tablet, look for the menu button, typically represented by three horizontal lines (sometimes called a "hamburger menu"). This button is usually located at the bottom right corner of your screen on iPhone or at the bottom of the screen on Android devices.

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Tap the menu button to open the navigation menu. Scroll down or search through the menu options until you find your name or a "Profile" option. Tap on it to go to your profile page. Once you're viewing your profile, the URL will appear in the browser bar at the top of your screen, even within the app. On some phones, you may need to scroll up to see the address bar clearly.

If you're using a mobile web browser (like Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android) instead of the Facebook app, the process is nearly identical to the desktop method. Log in to Facebook.com, tap on your profile picture or name in the top right area of the page, and select "View Profile" from the menu that appears. The URL will then be visible in your browser's address bar.

On mobile devices, copying the URL is slightly different depending on your phone type. In most cases, you can tap and hold on the address bar until options appear, then select "Copy" or "Copy Link." Some mobile browsers allow you to tap the address bar once and then use the standard copy command. After copying, you can paste the URL into text messages, emails, or other apps on your phone. The mobile version of a profile URL works exactly like the desktop version—it's the same address.

Practical takeaway: On mobile devices, access your profile through the app menu or mobile browser, locate the URL in the address bar, and use your phone's copy function to save it. The process takes the same number of steps as on desktop.

Understanding the Two URL Formats Facebook Uses

Facebook profiles can be displayed using two different URL formats, and understanding both will help you recognize your own profile URL and understand what you're seeing. The first format uses your unique numeric Facebook ID. This is a long string of numbers assigned to your account when you create it. A URL in this format looks like: "facebook.com/profile.php?id=987654321098765." Every account has this numeric ID format, and it never changes, even if you modify other aspects of your profile.

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The second format uses a custom username that you choose yourself. This format is much shorter and easier to remember. A URL in this format looks like: "facebook.com/sarah.johnson" or "facebook.com/sarahjohnson." Custom usernames can include letters, numbers, and periods, though Facebook has specific rules about what characters are allowed. Most people prefer this format because it's more memorable and looks cleaner when shared.

When you first create a Facebook account, you may only have the numeric ID format. Facebook may not automatically create a custom username for you, though the option is usually available. You can choose to create a custom username at any time by going to your profile settings. However, creating a custom username is entirely optional—your numeric ID format works just as well for directing people to your profile.

One important detail to understand: if you create a custom username, you can change it to a different custom username, but you cannot change your numeric ID. Additionally, once you change your custom username, your old custom username becomes available for someone else to claim (after a waiting period). Both URL formats—the numeric and the custom username—lead to the exact same profile. Websites and apps that link to your profile may use either format, and both work identically.

Practical takeaway: Your profile has a permanent numeric ID format and may also have a custom username format. Both URLs lead to your profile, but custom usernames are shorter and easier to share.

What to Do If You Cannot Find Your URL

In rare cases, you might have difficulty finding your profile URL using the standard methods. This could happen for several reasons, such as browser issues, account restrictions, or display problems. If you're not seeing the URL in your address bar when you visit your profile, try refreshing the page. Press F5 on your keyboard (or Ctrl+R on Windows, Command+R on Mac) to reload the page, then check the address bar again.

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If you're using the Facebook app and having trouble seeing the address bar, try switching to the mobile web version of Facebook instead. Open your browser (not the app) and navigate to facebook.com. Log in if needed, go to your profile, and you should see the URL in the browser's address bar. The mobile web version displays the same information as the app but may show the address bar more clearly.

Another method to find your profile URL involves using your browser's developer tools or inspection features