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 during signup, that name is permanent for the life of that account. 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 Discord lets you change your username. Reddit's permanent username policy means the choice matters more at the start, and it also means your old username stays associated with everything you posted under it.

Key Takeaways

  • Reddit usernames cannot be changed once an account is created, so you are stuck with your choice unless you start over with a new account.
  • If you want a different username, you will need to create a brand new Reddit account and cannot transfer your history, saved posts, or awards to it.
  • Before you create a new account, decide what you want to do with your old one — you can delete it, leave it inactive, or keep both running.
  • When you sign up for a new account, Reddit will let you know when ready if your chosen username is already taken.

What happens to your old account if you create a new one

If you decide to start fresh with a new username, your old account and everything on it stays exactly as it is. Your posts, comments, upvotes, saved items, and awards all remain under your old username. You cannot move them to your new account or delete them in bulk — you would have to delete each post or comment individually if you wanted them gone.

Many people keep their old account inactive rather than delete it. This way, if someone links to an old post you made, the link still works. If you do want to remove your presence, you can delete your account through Reddit's settings, though this process is permanent and cannot be undone.

How to create a new Reddit account with a different username

Go to reddit.com and click the "Sign up" button in the top right corner. You will see a form asking for an email address, username, and password. Type the username you want into the username field. Reddit will tell you right away if that name is already taken — if it is, you will see a red message saying "that username is taken" and you will need to try a different one.

Choose a username that is between 3 and 20 characters long and contains only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Reddit will not let you use spaces or most special characters. Once you find a name that is available, finish filling in your email and password, then click "Sign up." You will receive a confirmation email — click the link in that email to set up your new account.

After you log in to your new account, you will start with zero posts, zero comments, and zero karma. You will need to join subreddits again and rebuild your subscriptions. If you had a custom profile picture or banner on your old account, you will need to upload those again on your new one.

Things to consider before you create a new account

Think about why you want a new username. If you are worried about privacy because your current username is too close to your real name, a new account makes sense. If you just do not like how your username sounds, that is also a valid reason. But if you are trying to escape a reputation or hide posts you made, remember that your old posts will still be visible under your old username — creating a new account does not erase them.

Consider whether you want to keep both accounts running. Some people maintain multiple Reddit accounts for different purposes — one for work-related subreddits, one for hobbies, one for throwaway posts. This is allowed by Reddit's rules as long as you do not use multiple accounts to vote on the same post or to break subreddit rules. If you plan to keep your old account, just log out of one and log into the other when you want to switch.

How to delete your old account if you do not want to keep it

If you want to remove your old account entirely, go to your account settings by clicking your username in the top right corner and selecting "User settings." Scroll down to find the "Deactivate account" option near the bottom of the page. Click it and Reddit will ask you to confirm — you will need to type your password to proceed.

When you deactivate your account, Reddit will remove your username from public view within a few minutes. Your posts and comments will show as posted by "[deleted]" instead of your username. However, the content itself stays on Reddit's servers — deactivating is not the same as deleting every individual post. If you want your posts completely removed, you would need to delete them one at a time before you deactivate your account, or use a third-party tool designed for bulk deletion.

Why Reddit does not let you change your username

Reddit's permanent username policy exists because usernames are tied to your account history and reputation. Your username is how other users recognize you, how they find your posts, and how they know whether to trust what you say. If usernames could change, someone could build a trusted reputation under one name and then switch to a different name to hide that history.

This also protects against impersonation. If you could change your username to match someone else's old name after they deleted their account, you could pretend to be them. By keeping usernames permanent, Reddit makes sure that a username always points to the same account and the same history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change just part of my username?

No. Reddit does not offer any way to edit, modify, or partially change your username. The entire username is locked in once you create your account. Your only option is to create a completely new account with a different username.

What if my username was taken by someone else and I want it back?

If another user is sitting on a username you want, you cannot reclaim it. Reddit does not have a process for reassigning usernames from inactive accounts. Your only option is to choose a different username for your new account.

If I create a new account, will my old posts show up under my new username?

No. Your old posts will stay under your old username forever. Your new account is completely separate and has no connection to your old account's history. You start from zero with a new account.

Can I merge two Reddit accounts?

No. Reddit does not offer account merging. If you have two accounts and want to consolidate, you would need to choose which one to keep using and let the other become inactive. You cannot combine their histories, karma, or subscriptions.

Is there a way to hide my old username?

You can deactivate your old account, which removes your username from public view and makes your posts show as "[deleted]" instead. However, anyone with a direct link to your old posts can still see them. Deactivation hides your username but does not erase the content.