You can change your Twitter username in Settings in under a minute

Your Twitter username is the handle that appears after the @ symbol — the one people use to mention you or search for your account. You can change it whenever you want through your account settings, and the change takes effect when ready. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period, so if you want to keep it, you should not change it unless you are ready to let it go.

The process is the same whether you use Twitter on a computer or phone. You will need to know your current password, and you cannot change your username more than once every 30 days.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings and Privacy from your account menu, then select Username under the Account section to change it.
  • Your new username must be between 4 and 15 characters, use only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • The change takes effect right away, but your old username becomes available for others to claim after a few minutes.
  • You cannot change your username again for 30 days after making a change, so choose carefully before confirming.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, direct messages, or any tweets you have posted — only how people find and mention you.

Steps to change your username on desktop

Start by clicking your profile picture in the bottom left corner of the Twitter home page. A menu will appear with several options. Select Settings and Privacy from that menu.

Once you are in Settings, click the Account tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see the Username field. Click on it to edit. Type your new username into the text box, and Twitter will tell you right away if it is available or already taken. When you have entered a username you want, click Save. Twitter will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type it in and click Confirm. Your new username is now active.

Steps to change your username on a phone or tablet

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the top left. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy.

Tap Account, then scroll down to find Username. Tap on it to open the edit screen. Type your new username and check whether it is available. When you are ready, tap Save. Enter your password when prompted and tap Confirm. The change takes effect when ready.

Rules for choosing a new username

Twitter usernames must be between 4 and 15 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, periods, or other symbols. Your username cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter or underscore.

Twitter will show you an error message if you try to use a username that breaks these rules or is already taken by another account. If the username you want is taken, you can try adding a number or underscore to make it unique. Keep in mind that usernames are not case-sensitive, so @MyHandle and @myhandle are the same account.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one does not disappear right away. Twitter holds it for a short period — usually a few minutes to a few hours — before it becomes available for anyone else to register. During that time, if you change your mind, you can change back to your old username without waiting the 30-day period.

If you want to keep your old username and prevent someone else from using it, do not change it. Once someone else claims it, you cannot get it back. If your old username was important to your brand or identity, think carefully before making the switch.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This rule applies whether you change to a completely new username or try to switch back to an old one. Twitter enforces this limit to prevent spam and account takeover attempts.

If you realize you made a mistake right after changing your username, you have a small window to change back to your old one before the 30-day timer starts. Once you confirm a second change, the 30-day clock resets, and you cannot change again until that period is over.

How your followers and messages are affected

Changing your username does not affect your followers, the people you follow, or your direct messages. Everyone who followed you before the change will still follow you after. Your tweets, likes, and retweets all stay exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is how people search for you and how they mention you in tweets.

If you have shared your username in your bio, email signature, or other places online, you may want to update those links. Old links to your profile using your previous username will redirect to your new one for a while, but it is a good idea to update them yourself so people do not end up on a redirect page.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it yet. If you change your mind within a few minutes, you can change back to your old username without waiting the 30 days. Once someone else registers that username, it is no longer available to you.

What if the username I want is already taken?

You cannot use a username that belongs to another active account. Try adding numbers or underscores to create a variation. You can also check if the account is inactive and may be deleted in the future, but you cannot claim a username that is currently in use.

Will my profile URL change when I change my username?

Yes. Your profile URL will update to reflect your new username. Old links using your previous username will redirect for a period, but the new URL is the one people should use going forward.

Can I change my username if my account is locked or suspended?

No. You must restore full access to your account before you can make any changes, including changing your username. If your account is locked, follow Twitter's steps to unlock it first.

Does changing my username affect my verified badge?

No. If your account has a verified badge, it stays with your account regardless of what username you choose. The verification is tied to your account, not to the specific username.