You cannot change your Reddit username after you create it

Reddit does not offer a way to change the username on an existing account. Once you pick a username when you sign up, that name is locked to your account permanently. If you want a different username, you will need to create a new Reddit account with the name you prefer.

This is different from many other platforms — Twitter lets you change your handle, Facebook lets you change your name, and Gmail lets you change your display name. Reddit's policy is simpler but also more final. The reason Reddit gives is that usernames are part of your account's permanent identity and post history, so changing them would create confusion about who wrote what.

Key Takeaways

  • Reddit usernames cannot be changed once your account is created, so you should choose carefully before signing up.
  • If you dislike your current username, your only option is to create a new account with a different name.
  • You can change your display name (the name that shows on your profile) separately from your username, which gives you some control over how you appear to other users.
  • Before you create a new account, decide what you want to do with your old account — delete it, leave it dormant, or keep both for different purposes.
  • Moving to a new account means losing your karma, saved posts, and subscription history unless you manually recreate them.

The difference between your username and your display name

Reddit has two separate name fields, and understanding the difference matters if you want to change how you appear on the platform. Your username is what comes after the u/ — it is permanent, appears in your post history, and is used to mention you in comments. Your display name is what shows on your profile page and in some contexts, and you can change it anytime.

If your issue is that you do not like how your name looks to other users, changing your display name might solve it without creating a new account. Go to your profile, click the three dots next to your username, select "Edit profile," and change the display name field. This does not change your u/ username, but it does change what appears on your profile card when someone clicks on you.

However, if your username itself bothers you — the part people see when they read your comments or posts — a display name change will not help. The username will still appear next to everything you write.

Creating a new account if you want a different username

If you decide you need a fresh start with a new username, the process is straightforward. Go to reddit.com, click "Sign up," and enter an email address, a password, and the username you want. Reddit will tell you when ready if the username is already taken. Choose a username that is not tied to your real name or personal information, since usernames are public and permanent on this new account too.

Before you sign up for the new account, think about what you want to do with your old one. You have three main options: delete it, leave it dormant, or keep both accounts active for different purposes. Deleting your account removes your username from the site and deletes your posts and comments after 90 days. Leaving it dormant means your old posts stay up but you stop using it. Keeping both means you manage two separate accounts, which takes more effort but lets you preserve your old post history.

What you will lose when you switch accounts

Moving to a new Reddit account means starting over in several ways. Your karma — the points you earned from upvotes on posts and comments — does not transfer. Your saved posts and comments do not transfer. Your subscriptions to subreddits do not transfer. Your chat history and direct messages do not transfer. If any of these matter to you, you will need to manually recreate them on the new account.

You also lose access to any subreddits that require a minimum karma level to post. If you were an active member of a community that has a karma gate, your new account will start at zero and you may not be able to participate right away. Some subreddits also have minimum account age requirements, so a brand-new account might not be able to post or comment in certain communities for a few weeks.

The one thing that does not transfer is your post history itself. Your old posts and comments stay on your old account and remain visible to anyone who visits your old profile. They do not move to your new account, and you cannot delete them from your new account — you would have to go back to your old account to remove them if you wanted to.

Protecting your new username choice

Once you pick a username for your new account, that choice is final, so spend a moment thinking about it. Avoid usernames that include your real name, your birth year, or other identifying information. Avoid usernames that are tied to a job, a location, or a relationship status, since those things change. A username that is generic, slightly unusual, or based on a hobby or interest tends to age better than one tied to your current life.

Also check whether the username you want is available on other platforms you use. If you plan to use the same username across Reddit, Twitter, Discord, and other sites, you might want to reserve it on those platforms too. This makes it easier for people to find you consistently, though it also makes it easier for someone to track you across the internet if they want to.

Reddit does not let you reserve a username before you create an account, so if you wait too long, someone else might claim it. If the username you want is taken, you can add a number, an underscore, or a short word to make it unique — for example, u/gardening_2024 instead of u/gardening.

Keeping your old account or deleting it

If you decide to delete your old account, go to your account settings, scroll to "Deactivate account," and follow the prompts. Reddit will ask you to confirm your password. After you deactivate, your username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. Your posts and comments are deleted after 90 days, though Reddit's servers may keep copies for longer for legal reasons.

If you want to keep your old account but stop using it, you do not have to do anything. Your posts and comments will stay up, your username will remain tied to your account, and you can log back in anytime. Some people keep old accounts around for reference or to preserve their post history, even if they do not actively post anymore.

If you want to keep both accounts active, make sure you do not use them to vote on the same posts or comments, since Reddit's terms of service prohibit vote manipulation. You also should not use multiple accounts to make the same post in different subreddits or to artificially boost engagement. Using multiple accounts for legitimate purposes — like keeping a professional account separate from a personal one — is allowed, as long as you do not coordinate between them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ask Reddit to change my username for me?

No. Reddit does not offer username changes under any circumstances, even if you contact their support team. The only way to get a different username is to create a new account. Some subreddit moderators might be able to help with other account issues, but they cannot change usernames either.

What if someone else took the username I want?

If the username is taken by an active account, you cannot have it. If the account is inactive or deleted, you might be able to claim it after 30 days, but Reddit does not reserve usernames. Your best option is to choose a variation — add a number, underscore, or short word to make it unique.

Will my old posts disappear if I create a new account?

No. Your old posts stay on your old account and remain visible to anyone who visits that profile. They do not disappear unless you manually delete them or you delete your entire account. Creating a new account does not affect your old posts.

Can I transfer my karma to a new account?

No. Karma is tied to your account and does not transfer. Your new account will start at zero karma. If you earned karma for helpful comments or popular posts, that history stays on your old account.

Is it against Reddit's rules to have two accounts?

Having multiple accounts is allowed. What is not allowed is using them to vote on the same content, post the same thing in multiple places to boost engagement, or evade bans. If you keep two accounts for different purposes and do not coordinate between them, you are following the rules.