Reddit Glossary
Short definitions for the Reddit terms that show up in profile data, each linking through to a fuller explanation.
These are the words you meet when you look at a Reddit account: karma, usernames, profiles and the terms attached to them. Each entry leads with the definition, then explains why it matters when you are trying to judge or find an account.
Terms
- What Is Reddit Karma?What Reddit karma is, how post and comment karma differ, and what the number does and does not tell you.
- What Is a Reddit Username?How Reddit usernames work, the u/ prefix, and why a username is the only reliable way to identify an account.
- What Is a Reddit Profile?What a Reddit profile is, what it displays, and how it differs from a subreddit or a user page on other platforms.
Quick reference
| Term | In one line |
|---|---|
| Karma | A score from votes, split into post, comment, awardee and awarder totals. |
| Username | The permanent u/ name. Cannot be changed, unlike a display name. |
| Profile | The public page listing an account's karma, age, posts and comments. |
| Cake day | The anniversary of the account's creation date. |
| Shadowban | A hidden ban. The profile 404s to everyone but its owner. |
See these terms against a real account.
Search a Reddit username