Custom Facebook URL: How to Set One Up

Setting a custom URL for your Facebook profile replaces the long, random string of numbers in your profile link with a clean, memorable address like facebook.com/yourname. This makes your profile easier to share, easier to find in searches, and looks more professional on business cards, resumes, and social media bios. You only need a personal Facebook account that is at least 30 days old, and you must have a profile picture uploaded.

What You’ll Need

A personal Facebook account (not a Page or Group)
Your account must be at least 30 days old
A profile picture set on your account
Access to Facebook on a desktop browser or the mobile app

Step-by-Step

Log in to Facebook on your computer or open the Facebook app on your phone. Make sure you are logged into the account you want to customize.
Go to your profile by clicking your profile picture or name in the top-left corner (desktop) or tapping your profile icon at the bottom-right (mobile).
Click or tap the three-dot menu (⋯) located near the top of your profile, just below your cover photo. On desktop, it is next to the “Edit Profile” button. On mobile, it is in the same area.
Select “Copy Link” or “Edit Profile” – the exact wording depends on your device and Facebook version. On desktop, choose “Copy Link” and then look for the “Edit” option next to your current URL. On mobile, tap “Edit Profile” and then find the “Username” field.
Find the username field. On desktop, after clicking “Copy Link,” a pop-up shows your current URL; click “Edit” next to it. On mobile, within “Edit Profile,” scroll down to the “Username” section.
Type your desired username into the field. This will become the end of your URL (facebook.com/yourusername). Use only letters, numbers, and periods. Periods are allowed but cannot be at the beginning or end, and you cannot use two periods in a row.
Check availability. As you type, Facebook will show a message saying whether the username is available or already taken. If it is taken, try a variation—add your middle initial, a number, or a location.
Click or tap “Create Username” (desktop) or “Save” (mobile). Facebook will confirm the change immediately.
Test your new URL. Type facebook.com/yourusername into a new browser tab (or share it with a friend) to confirm it works. Your old numeric URL will no longer work.

Common Mistakes

Using a username that is already taken. Facebook only allows one person to have a given username, so common names like “johnsmith” are almost certainly gone. Do not get frustrated; add numbers or a middle name.
Including symbols or spaces. Facebook usernames only allow letters, numbers, and periods. Hyphens, underscores, @, and spaces are not permitted.
Starting or ending with a period. A username like “.john” or “john.” will be rejected. Also, “john..smith” is invalid.
Forgetting to save. If you type a username and then navigate away without clicking “Create Username” or “Save,” your change will not be applied.
Trying to change it too soon. After you set a username, you cannot change it again for 14 days. Make sure you are happy with the choice before confirming.

Tips

Keep it simple and professional. Your username should be easy to spell and remember. Avoid using numbers that could be confused (like 0 vs O) and avoid nicknames that might not age well.
Match your other social handles. If you use the same username on Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, or YouTube, use the same one on Facebook to build a consistent personal brand.
Use periods to separate words if your full name is taken. For example, if “janedoe” is unavailable, try “jane.doe” or “jane.doe.2024”.
Check your privacy settings. A custom URL makes it easier for people to find you, so review who can see your profile before sharing it widely. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Privacy to adjust who can look you up.
Remember the 14-day rule. Once you set a username, you cannot change it for two weeks. If you are unsure, wait until you are certain.

Troubleshooting

“This username is not available.” This means someone else already has it. Try adding a middle initial, a number, or a location (e.g., “janedoeNYC”). Do not try to claim a username that belongs to an inactive account—Facebook does not release usernames from old accounts.

“You cannot change your username right now.” This appears if you changed your username within the last 14 days. Wait until the 14-day period ends, then try again.

“This username is not allowed.” This usually means you used a character that is not permitted (like a hyphen or underscore) or the username is too similar to a brand or trademark. Remove special characters and try again.

You do not see the username field at all. Make sure your account is at least 30 days old and that you have a profile picture. If both are true, log out and log back in, or try using a different browser (or the mobile app if you were on desktop).

Your new URL does not work. Wait a few minutes—Facebook sometimes takes a short time to propagate the change. If it still does not work after 15 minutes, double-check that you spelled the username correctly and that you are not logged into a different account.

You cannot change your username because your account is new. Facebook requires your account to be at least 30 days old before you can set a custom username. Check the “Account creation date” in your profile’s “About” section to see when you joined.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my custom URL later? Yes, but only once every 14 days. After you change it, the old URL becomes available for someone else to claim, so do not change it unless you are sure.

Does my custom URL work for Facebook Pages too? No, this guide is for personal profiles only. Pages have their own username system, which you can set from the Page’s settings under “Page info” > “Username.”

Can I use my custom URL on business cards and resumes? Absolutely. That is one of the main reasons to set one up. Just make sure your profile is set to public or at least visible to “Friends of Friends” if you want people who are not your friends to see it.

What happens to my old numeric URL? Once you set a custom username, the old numeric URL (facebook.com/profile.php?id=12345) stops working. Anyone using the old link will get an error.

Can I use uppercase letters in my username? Facebook converts all usernames to lowercase automatically. If you type “JohnDoe,” it will appear as “johndoe” in the URL. You can still use capitals in the field, but they will not be preserved.

Is there a limit on how long my username can be? Yes, usernames must be between 5 and 50 characters. Facebook will show an error if you go outside that range.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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