Ever been deep in a WordPress plugin setup, only to be stopped cold by a field asking for your "User ID"? You're not alone. Last year, while configuring an author info display plugin, I found myself in that exact predicament—staring at the screen with no idea where to find that elusive number. Finding your user ID is actually much simpler than you might think, but it’s one of those small WordPress tasks that no one teaches you upfront, and it’s easy to get stuck if you don’t know where to look.
As an experienced website owner who has been running websites for years, I learned through trial and error (and a few small mistakes) how to easily find User IDs using different methods. Tested up to WordPress 6.4, the techniques below work for all modern WP versions—whether you’re using a free theme, a premium one, or even a custom-built WordPress site. Today, I’m sharing these practical experiences with you—combining the 4 most reliable core methods, plus answering common questions and sharing cautionary tips that I wish someone had told me when I first started. Whether you’re a beginner new to WP who’s never touched the backend beyond writing posts, or a developer needing flexible solutions for different client scenarios, you’ll be able to figure it out easily after reading this guide.
First, Understand: Why Do You Need to Find Your WordPress User ID?
Before we dive into the methods, let’s talk about what this seemingly insignificant number is actually used for—after all, no one would go to the trouble of finding it if it wasn’t necessary. In the WordPress system, every user (whether it’s an admin, editor, author, or subscriber) has a unique numerical identifier, which is the user ID. It’s like your "ID card number" on the website, and it never changes—unlike usernames, which can be modified at any time, or display names, which are purely for show. This permanence is why many plugins, themes, and custom code snippets rely more on the ID than the username; it’s a consistent way to identify users without worrying about name changes causing errors.
Based on my own experience managing multiple WordPress sites (from small blogs to multi-author communities), the most common scenarios where you’ll need to find a User ID are: specifying a particular author’s ID to display their articles in a custom widget when setting up a multi-author blog; assigning exclusive permissions to different users when configuring membership levels (e.g., giving a specific author access to only their own posts); entering the ID to bind a specific user when using certain SEO plugins (like author schema markup) or content restriction plugins; calling up a specific author’s information via their ID when editing theme files or writing custom PHP code; and some theme widgets (like author bios or recent posts by author) also require the User ID to display exclusive content correctly.
Understanding these use cases isn’t just extra information—it helps you choose the most convenient method for your specific needs, so you don’t have to try all operations blindly. For example, if you just need to find your own ID for a plugin setup, you won’t need to mess with plugins or databases; a 10-second check in your profile will do. If you’re managing a site with 50+ authors, a bulk plugin will save you hours of tedious work. This guide is designed to help you skip the guesswork and get straight to the solution that works for you.
4 Core Methods: Choose Based on Your Needs, Zero Threshold for Beginners
The 4 methods below are core techniques I’ve personally tested and proven effective, covering all possible scenarios you might encounter. From the simplest plugin-free method that takes 30 seconds (my go-to for quick checks) to advanced options for bulk checks and developers who need to troubleshoot backend issues, each one includes detailed step-by-step instructions, personal notes from my own experience, and potential pitfalls to avoid. I’ve also included a bonus emergency method for when you can’t access the WordPress backend at all. Each method is explained in plain English, with no technical jargon—so even if you’re new to WordPress, you’ll be able to follow along. Note: It’s recommended to add HowTo Schema markup to this article to help search engines identify the 4 method steps and increase the chance of rich media snippet display, which can boost your article’s visibility in search results.
Method 1: Hover Over Usernames in the Backend User List (My Go-To, Cost-Free & Risk-Free)
This is the fastest, simplest method for checking a small number of User IDs (1-5), with no plugins, no coding, and no risk of breaking your site. I accidentally discovered this trick when I was stuck finding my own User ID years ago—back then, I spent 20 minutes Googling before stumbling on this hidden gem. It’s my first choice whenever I need to look up one or two IDs temporarily, and it’s the method I recommend to all beginners first.
The steps are straightforward, and they work on every WordPress version: First, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard (usually at yourdomain.com/wp-admin). Once you’re logged in, find the "Users" option in the left sidebar menu— it’s usually represented by a silhouette icon—and click to enter the "All Users" page. Here, you’ll see a complete list of all registered users on your website, including their usernames, email addresses, roles, and registration dates. No need to click any buttons or edit any settings—just hover your mouse over the username of the user whose ID you want to check. As you hover, look at the status bar in the bottom left corner of your browser (this is the small bar that usually shows website URLs when you hover over links). You’ll see a link that looks like this: "wp-admin/user-edit.php?user_id=3". The number after "user_id=" is that user's unique User ID—simple as that. (Pro-Tip: If you're having trouble seeing the browser's status bar—some browsers hide it by default—you can also right-click on the username, select "Copy link address" from the dropdown menu, and paste it into a text editor like Notepad or TextEdit. The User ID will be clearly visible in the pasted URL, so you can copy it and use it wherever you need.)
I was pleasantly surprised when I first found this trick, because there’s no hint on the official WordPress interface that the User ID is hidden here—it’s one of those "hidden features" that only long-time WP users tend to know. Here’s a small detail I’ve learned over time that can save you a little extra time: If you accidentally click on the username and enter the user’s edit page (instead of just hovering), don’t worry—you can still find the ID easily. Just look at the URL in your browser’s address bar, and you’ll see the same "user_id=" string, with the number after it being their User ID. This is even more straightforward to read, as the URL is front and center.
The advantage of this method is that it’s simple, fast, and 100% risk-free—you’re not installing anything, editing any code, or accessing sensitive areas of your site. It’s perfect for quick checks when you only need one or two User IDs. The downside is that you can only check User IDs one by one, which can be tedious and time-consuming if your website has dozens or hundreds of users. For example, if you’re managing a multi-author site with 30 authors and need to collect all their User IDs, this method would take you 10-15 minutes; in that case, Method 3 (the plugin method) is a much better choice.
Method 2: Check the URL on the Edit Profile/User Page (Best for Finding Your Own ID)
If you only need to find your own User ID (and not another user’s), this method is even more straightforward than Method 1—no need to go back to the "All Users" list, and it only takes a few clicks. I use this method whenever I need my own ID for plugin setups or code edits, and it’s especially helpful for beginners who might feel overwhelmed by the "All Users" list.
Steps to find your own User ID: After logging in to the WordPress dashboard, there are two easy ways to access your profile page—choose whichever is more convenient for you. The first way is to click on your avatar (or the "Howdy, [Your Name]" message) in the top right corner of the dashboard; a dropdown menu will appear, and you can select "Edit My Profile" from the list. The second way is to go to the left sidebar menu, click on "Users", and then select "Profile" (this will take you directly to your own profile page, not the "All Users" list). Once you’re on your profile page, you don’t need to edit anything—just look directly at the URL in your browser’s address bar, and you’ll find your User ID.
Here’s a small confusion I had when I first used this method, and I’ve seen other beginners struggle with it too: Sometimes the URL on the profile page shows "profile.php" (with no User ID visible), and other times it shows "user-edit.php?user_id=1" (with the ID clearly displayed). After testing this repeatedly on different WordPress sites and versions, I figured out why: When an admin views their own profile page, WordPress will most likely show "profile.php" in the URL—this is a default behavior, and it means you’re the currently logged-in user. If you’re the first person to register an account on your WordPress site (which is almost always the case for admins), your User ID is usually 1. If you’re not an admin, or if you’re viewing another user’s profile (even as an admin), the URL will always show a link with "user_id=", and the number after it is their unique User ID, clearly displayed for you to copy.
If you’re not sure about your User ID (e.g., you’re not the first registered user, or you’ve deleted old accounts), it’s safer to switch back to the "All Users" list and confirm using Method 1. This avoids mistakes in plugin configuration or code edits caused by remembering the wrong User ID—trust me, I’ve made that mistake before, and it’s a hassle to fix later. Better to double-check than to waste time troubleshooting avoidable errors.
Method 3: Install the "Show User ID" Plugin (Bulk Check Tool, Perfect for Multi-Author Sites)
If you run a multi-author site, a membership community, or any site where you frequently need to look up multiple User IDs at once, the hover method (Method 1) becomes tedious and inefficient. This is where a simple plugin like Show User ID saves you time and frustration. It’s a reliable bulk User ID checking tool (by Scott Reilly, 10,000+ active installations, last updated 3 months ago) that I personally used when managing a website with over 20 authors—and it’s one of the few plugins I keep installed on all my multi-author sites, because it’s lightweight, safe, and does exactly what it says it will.
The plugin is extremely easy to use, even for complete beginners who have never installed a WordPress plugin before. Here’s the step-by-step process: First, log in to your WordPress dashboard. Go to the left sidebar menu and click on "Plugins", then select "Add New" from the dropdown. This will take you to the WordPress plugin repository, where you can search for free plugins. In the search box at the top right corner of the page, type "Show User ID" (make sure to type it exactly—capitalization doesn’t matter, but spelling does). The plugin by Scott Reilly should be the first result (look for the name and the 10,000+ active installations to confirm it’s the right one). Click the "Install Now" button, and WordPress will automatically download and install the plugin for you. Once the installation is complete, the button will change to "Activate"—click that to activate the plugin. After activation, you don’t need to configure any settings (that’s part of what makes it so great). Just go back to the "Users" → "All Users" page, and you’ll see a new column labeled "ID" added to the user list—right next to the username or email address. All users’ User IDs will be displayed directly in their respective rows, clear at a glance. You can even sort the list by User ID (just click the "ID" column header) to organize the users numerically, making bulk management a breeze.
I must give you a word of caution here, based on my own mistakes: While plugins are convenient, they do add a tiny bit of load to your website’s backend. If you only need to check a User ID occasionally (once a month or less), the first two methods are more than enough—there’s no need to install an extra plugin that you’ll rarely use. Additionally, always back up your website data before installing any new plugin—I learned this the hard way when a bad plugin crashed one of my sites a few years ago. Although the "Show User ID" plugin is very safe (it’s been around for years, has thousands of active users, and is regularly updated), forming the habit of backing up your site before installing plugins will always help you avoid unexpected issues. For more tips on keeping your WordPress site fast and secure, check out our database optimization guide.
In addition to the "Show User ID" plugin, you can also try two other reliable alternatives if you prefer: "User ID Display" and "Import and Export Users and Customers". Both plugins let you view and export User IDs, and the latter has the added benefit of being able to export all user data (including User IDs) to a CSV file—ideal for webmasters who need to export User IDs for spreadsheets or client reports. If you don’t want to install any plugins at all (some people prefer to keep their sites plugin-free to reduce load), you can also add the following code to your theme’s functions.php file to display the ID column in the "All Users" list. This code is safe, lightweight, and will do the same thing as the plugin:
function add_user_id_column($columns) {
$columns['user_id'] = 'ID';
return $columns;
}
add_filter('manage_users_columns', 'add_user_id_column');
function display_user_id_column($value, $column_name, $user_id) {
return $user_id;
}
add_action('manage_users_custom_column', 'display_user_id_column', 10, 3);Method 4: Database Query (For Developers Only, Use with Caution)
To be honest, I rarely use this method in my daily work because the first three methods meet all User ID lookup needs for most people (beginners, admins, and even most developers). However, if you’re a developer working on custom WordPress projects, or if the first three methods fail (e.g., the website malfunctions, the backend can’t be accessed normally, or the user list is corrupted), you can try finding the User ID through the WordPress database. This method is more technical, and it comes with some risk—so if you’re not comfortable working with databases, skip this method and stick to the first three. If you do proceed, make sure to back up your database first (this is non-negotiable).
Detailed step-by-step instructions (for developers): First, log in to your web hosting backend (this is usually provided by your hosting company, like Bluehost, SiteGround, or HostGator). Once you’re in the hosting dashboard, find the "Database" option—this is almost always labeled "phpMyAdmin" (a tool for managing MySQL databases). Click to enter the phpMyAdmin interface. Once you’re in phpMyAdmin, you’ll see a list of all databases associated with your hosting account—locate the database corresponding to your WordPress website (you can find this information in the wp-config.php file in your website’s root directory, if you’re not sure which one it is). Click to open the database, and you’ll see a list of all WordPress tables (they usually start with "wp_", which is the default table prefix—your prefix may be different if you changed it during WordPress installation). Find the table labeled "wp_users" (again, the prefix may be different for your site) and click to enter it. Once you’re in the "wp_users" table, you’ll see a complete list of all user information stored in your WordPress database, including usernames, email addresses, hashed passwords, registration dates, and more. The number in the "ID" column is each user’s unique User ID—you can sort this column numerically to find the ID you need quickly. You can also see usernames and email addresses next to each ID, making it easy to match the User ID to the correct user. For developers who need to find a User ID programmatically, here’s a safe SQL query you can run in phpMyAdmin (this is a SELECT statement, which only reads data— it won’t modify or delete anything, so it’s safe to use): SELECT ID FROM wp_users WHERE user_login = 'your_username'; (Replace 'your_username' with the actual username of the user whose ID you want to find—make sure to keep the single quotes around the username.)
Warning: Direct database access is risky. If you're not comfortable with MySQL or phpMyAdmin, do not attempt this method. A single wrong click (like deleting a table or editing the wrong data) can break your entire website, and it may be difficult to recover without a backup. Stick to the first three methods if you're unsure. The only time I used this method to find a User ID was when my website had strange user permission issues that required troubleshooting at the database level—even then, I backed up the database twice before proceeding. I rarely use this lookup method in daily use, but it’s a useful tool to have in your toolkit if you’re a developer.
Bonus: Reverse Lookup via Article/Comment Author Links (Handy for Emergencies)
This is a lifesaver emergency method that I accidentally discovered a few years ago, and it’s come in handy more times than I can count. It’s perfect for when you’re locked out of the WordPress admin area (e.g., you forgot your password and can’t reset it), you need to find the User ID of an author without backend access, or the backend is down due to a plugin or theme conflict. This method doesn’t require any backend access, any plugins, or any coding—it works entirely on the frontend of your website, which is why it’s so useful for emergencies. I’ve used this method to help clients recover access to their sites when they were locked out, and it’s one of those tricks that every WordPress user should know.
The operation is simple and works on every WordPress site: First, open the frontend of your WordPress website (this is the public-facing part that your visitors see—usually at yourdomain.com). Find any article or post published by the user whose User ID you want to find (if the user is an author, they’ll have at least one post published). Once you’ve found an article by that user, look for their author name—this is usually displayed below the article title, at the end of the article, or in the sidebar (depending on your theme). Click on the author’s name to enter their author archive page—this is a page that displays all articles published by that author. At this point, look at the URL in your browser’s address bar, and you’ll see a string that looks like this: "https://www.mysite.com/author/1/". The number after "author/" is the User ID corresponding to that author. For example, when I clicked on my own author name on one of my articles, the URL showed "https://www.mysite.com/author/1/", where "1" is my unique User ID (since I’m the first registered user on my site). This method is so simple, but it’s easy to overlook if you don’t know about it.
Additionally, if your website has user comments enabled (and most do), you can also find a registered user’s User ID by clicking on their comment name using the same method. Here’s how: Go to any post or article on your site that has comments. Find a comment published by the user whose ID you want to find (make sure it’s a registered user—guest comments won’t work for this method). Click on the user’s comment name (this is the name displayed next to their comment), and you’ll be taken to a page that displays all comments published by that user. Look at the URL in your browser’s address bar, and you’ll see a string like "https://www.mysite.com/author/5/"—the number after "author/" is their User ID. The advantage of this method is that you don’t need to log in to the backend, making it highly useful for emergencies or when you don’t have admin access. The downside is that it only works for users who have published articles or comments—you can’t find the User ID of users who haven’t posted any content (like subscribers who have never commented or published posts).
FAQ: Solve All Your Possible Confusions
Combining my own experience and conversations with other website owners, developers, and beginners, I’ve compiled the most common questions people have when looking for a WordPress User ID. These are the questions I get asked most often, and they’re the ones that cause the most confusion for new users. I’ll answer each one in plain English, with no technical jargon, to help you avoid pitfalls and find your User ID more smoothly. If you have a question that isn’t listed here, feel free to leave a comment below—I’ll do my best to help you out.
Q1: What’s the difference between a WordPress User ID and a username?
A: This is the most common question I get, and it’s easy to mix up the two—especially if you’re new to WordPress. A username is the name you use to log in to your WordPress dashboard (e.g., "johndoe"). It’s visible to other admins in the user list, but it’s not always visible to the public (depending on your theme and settings). While you can change your username (through the profile page or a plugin), doing so can sometimes cause confusion with plugins or custom code that rely on the username. A User ID, on the other hand, is a permanent, internal numerical identifier that never changes—no matter how many times you change your username or display name. It’s not visible to the public (unless you explicitly display it), and it’s used by WordPress itself, plugins, and themes to identify users consistently. Many plugins and code interfaces prioritize the User ID over the username because it’s more stable and won’t cause recognition errors if the username is changed.
Q2: Why doesn’t my User ID start from 1?
A: This is completely normal, and it’s nothing to worry about. Think of User IDs like auto-incrementing numbers in a database—WordPress assigns a new, unique number to each user when they register, and it never reuses numbers. If you deleted an old user (e.g., a test user you created during setup), WordPress won't go back and fill that gap. For example, if you created a test user with User ID 2 and then deleted them, the next user you create will be assigned User ID 3, not 2. This skipping of numbers has no impact on your site's performance, security, or the functionality of the User ID itself.
Q3: I can find a User ID, but I don’t know which user it belongs to—what should I do?
A: It’s simple—there are two ways to confirm: First, in the "Users" list, find the row corresponding to the User ID and directly view the username and email address. Second, hover your mouse over the "Edit" link for that user, or click to enter the edit page—you’ll see the complete user information, making it easy to match the User ID to the user.
Q4: Can I change my User ID?
A: Technically, yes—but it’s not recommended for beginners. Changing your User ID requires modifying the database (editing the "ID" column in the wp_users table) or using a specialized plugin like "Change User ID". However, this can break links, plugin configurations, or author associations if done incorrectly. It’s best to leave the ID as-is unless you have a specific reason to change it and are comfortable with database edits.
Q5: Is it safe to share my User ID publicly?
A: Your User ID itself is not sensitive information—unlike your password or API keys. However, if combined with other personal or website data (such as your username or admin email), it could potentially be used to target your site. For safety, it’s best to only share this number when necessary (e.g., with your developer or plugin support team) and avoid posting it publicly in comments or on social media.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide saves you the same hour of head-scratching it took me to figure this out. Now you'll never be stumped by a "User ID" field again. Try Method 1 now and let me know if it worked for you in the comments below! Do you have another WordPress puzzle you'd like solved? Feel free to share.
Related: How to Find WordPress Post ID | Understanding WordPress User Roles | WordPress Database Basics.
