You can change your Twitter name in settings in under a minute

Your Twitter name — the one that appears on your profile and in search results — can be changed anytime without losing your account, followers, or history. The change takes effect when ready. You do this in your account settings, not through a support form or waiting period.

Twitter distinguishes between your display name (the readable name shown on your profile) and your username (the @handle used in mentions and links). You can change your display name as often as you want. Your username has a few more restrictions: you can change it once every 30 days, and it must be between 4 and 15 characters, using only letters, numbers, and underscores.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name can be changed when ready and as often as you want from your account settings.
  • Your username (@handle) can be changed once every 30 days and must be 4 to 15 characters with no spaces or special characters.
  • Changing your name does not affect your followers, direct messages, or any tweets you have posted.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see that message when ready and can try a different one.
  • After you change your username, old links to your profile will no longer work, so update your website or other accounts if you list your Twitter handle there.

How to change your display name on Twitter

Your display name is what people see at the top of your profile. To change it, open Twitter on your phone or computer and tap or click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and privacy.

Go to Account, then Account information. You will see a field labeled Name with your current display name. Click or tap in that field, delete the old name, and type your new one. Twitter allows up to 50 characters, including spaces and most symbols. When you are done, click or tap Save. The change appears on your profile when ready.

How to change your username (@handle)

Your username is the @handle that appears in your profile URL and when people mention you. To change it, follow the same path: three-dot menu, Settings and privacy, then Account and Account information. This time, look for the field labeled Username.

Type your new username. It must start with the @ symbol, be 4 to 15 characters long, and contain only letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces, hyphens, or other punctuation. If the username you want is already taken, Twitter will show you a red error message when ready. Try a different variation. Once you find one that is available, click or tap Save. You will not be able to change it again for 30 days.

What happens to your old links and mentions after you change your username

When you change your username, Twitter automatically redirects your old profile URL to your new one for a short time. However, this redirect does not last forever. If you have listed your Twitter handle on your website, in your email signature, or on other social media accounts, update those links to your new username.

Any tweets you posted before the change will still show your old username in the text if you mentioned yourself. People who tagged you with your old handle will see that tag, but it will no longer link to your profile — it will appear as plain text. Your followers remain your followers, and your tweets remain on your account.

Restrictions and waiting periods

Display names have no restrictions beyond the 50-character limit. You can change your display name back and forth as often as you want, even multiple times in a single day.

Usernames are limited to one change every 30 days. If you change your username and then want to change it again, you must wait 30 days from the date of your last change. Twitter will tell you the exact date you can change it again if you try before the waiting period is over. You also cannot claim a username that you used previously if someone else has taken it in the meantime.

If your desired username is taken or unavailable

Twitter shows you when ready whether a username is available. If the one you want is taken, you will see a message saying the username is unavailable. You cannot request that someone else release a username, and Twitter does not have a waitlist for usernames.

Your options are to choose a variation — adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations — or wait to see if the person using it abandons their account. Inactive accounts are sometimes reclaimed by Twitter after long periods, but there is no set timeline for this. If the username belongs to someone you know, you can contact them directly and ask if they would be willing to change it.

Changing your name on the Twitter app versus the website

The process is identical whether you use the Twitter app on your phone or the website on a computer. The settings menu location is the same, and the fields work the same way. If you change your name on your phone, the change appears on the website when ready, and vice versa. You do not need to change your name separately on each platform.

If you use Twitter through a third-party app or client, those apps may not have a settings section for changing your name. In that case, use the official Twitter app or website to make the change, and it will take effect across all platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username affect my followers or direct messages?

No. Your followers stay with you, and all your direct messages remain in your inbox. People who follow you will see your new username on your profile, but they will not be unfollowed or lose access to your account.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it. If someone took your old username after you changed it, you cannot reclaim it. You would have to contact that person and ask them to change theirs, which they are not obligated to do.

What if I see an error message when I try to save my new name?

The most common error is that your desired username is taken. Try a different variation. If you see a different error, make sure you are using only letters, numbers, and underscores in your username, and that it is between 4 and 15 characters. If the error persists, try again in a few minutes — temporary server issues sometimes cause save failures.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

Your new name appears on your profile and in search results within seconds. However, it may take a few minutes for the change to appear in all places across Twitter, such as in notifications or in other people's follower lists. Refreshing your browser or closing and reopening the app speeds this up.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Your username can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other symbols are not allowed. Your display name, however, can include any characters you want.