Have you ever installed a new plugin, tried to display an author box, or attempted a custom code snippet, only to hit a wall? Often, the system asks for one specific piece of information: your user ID. If you find yourself asking, “how can I find my WordPress user ID number?”, you are completely in the right place.
WordPress hides these identification numbers by default to keep the dashboard looking clean and simple. However, locating them is actually quite straightforward once you know where to look.
In this guide, we will walk you through exactly what a user ID is, why it matters, and three incredibly simple methods to find it. Whether you prefer clicking through your dashboard, installing a quick plugin, or digging into your database, we have you covered.
What is a WordPress User ID?
Every time someone creates an account on your WordPress site, the system assigns them a unique identification number. This is the WordPress user ID. Think of it as a digital fingerprint.
While humans use names and email addresses to identify each other, databases use numbers. These numbers help the core system keep track of who wrote which post, who has admin privileges, and who left specific comments. The first person to create the site—usually the main administrator—is typically assigned the ID of 1. Every user added after that receives the next available number.
Why Do You Need Your WordPress User ID?
You might run your website for years without ever needing to know this number. However, certain situations make finding your user ID absolutely necessary:
- Plugin Configuration: Many advanced plugins, especially those dealing with memberships, author boxes, or forum roles, require you to input specific user IDs to grant or restrict access.
- Custom Code: If you are adding custom PHP functions to your theme to hide certain elements from specific authors, you will need to reference their ID numbers.
- Shortcodes: Some shortcodes allow you to display lists of posts by specific authors. You usually need the author’s ID to make the shortcode function correctly.
- Database Management: If you ever get locked out of your site and need to reset your password directly through the database, knowing your ID makes the process much faster.
Now that you know why it matters, let us look at how to uncover this hidden number.
Method 1: Find Your User ID via the WordPress Dashboard (Easiest)
If you only need to look up a single ID number quickly, this is the best method. It requires no extra software and takes only a few seconds.
Step 1: Navigate to the Users Menu
First, log into your WordPress admin area. Look at the left-hand sidebar and click on Users. Next, click on All Users. This screen displays everyone registered on your website.
Step 2: Hover Over the User’s Name
Find the specific user whose ID you want to locate. Move your mouse cursor and hover directly over their name. Do not click; just let your mouse rest there.
Step 3: Look at the URL
When you hover over the name, look at the bottom left corner of your web browser. You will see a small gray bar appear with a URL inside it.
Read through that URL until you spot a section that says user_id=. The number immediately following the equals sign is the ID. For example, if the URL says user_id=5, then the user ID number is 5.
Alternatively, you can click on the user’s name to edit their profile. Once the profile page loads, look at the address bar at the top of your browser. You will see the exact same user_id= string right there in plain text.
Method 2: Use a Plugin to Reveal User IDs
If you manage a site with dozens of authors, members, or contributors, hovering over names one by one gets tiring fast. The easiest way to handle multiple users is to install a plugin that displays the IDs right in your dashboard.
Step 1: Install the Reveal IDs Plugin
Head over to Plugins and click Add New in your dashboard. Type “Reveal IDs” into the search bar. Find the plugin by this name, click Install Now, and then click Activate.
Step 2: View Your New ID Column
Once you activate the plugin, it works immediately. There are no complicated settings to configure. Simply navigate back to Users and click on All Users.
You will notice a brand new column added to your user table labeled “ID.” Now, you can see the identification numbers for every single person on your site at a quick glance. This plugin is incredibly lightweight and will not slow down your website.
A Quick Design Tip
While you are organizing your site and setting up author profiles, you might also want to make sure your actual blog content looks visually appealing. Properly formatted content keeps readers engaged longer. If you want to make your author bios or standard posts look professional, you should learn how to Wrap Text Around an Image in WordPress Block Editor. Great formatting goes hand-in-hand with smooth backend management!
Method 3: Locate the User ID in the Database via phpMyAdmin
Sometimes, things go wrong. If you are locked out of your WordPress dashboard entirely, you cannot use the first two methods. In this scenario, you must access your site’s database to find the user ID. This method sounds technical, but it is quite simple if you follow these steps.
Step 1: Log into Your Hosting Control Panel
Log into your web hosting account (such as Bluehost, SiteGround, or HostGator). Look for your control panel, often called cPanel.
Step 2: Open phpMyAdmin
Scroll down through your control panel until you find the Databases section. Click on the icon labeled phpMyAdmin. This tool allows you to look directly at the raw data that runs your website.
Step 3: Find the Users Table
On the left side of the phpMyAdmin screen, you will see a list of databases. Click on the one associated with your WordPress site. A long list of tables will drop down.
Look for the table named wp_users (your prefix might be slightly different than wp_, but it will always end in _users). Click on it.
Step 4: Locate the ID Column
The main screen will now display the contents of the users table. Look at the very first column on the left. It is simply titled ID. You will see the numbers listed right next to each user’s login name and email address. You have successfully found your user ID from the backend!
Conclusion
Figuring out “how can I find my WordPress user ID number” does not have to be a frustrating experience. You can hover over a username to check the URL, install a simple plugin to display a permanent column, or dive into your database via phpMyAdmin if you are locked out.
Try using the dashboard hover method first, as it is the fastest way to get what you need. Keep building, keep customizing, and enjoy the process of making your WordPress site exactly what you want it to be.