How to change your X username

You can change your X username (the handle that starts with @) directly from your account settings on any device. The change takes effect when ready, but your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days. X does not charge for username changes, and you can change it as often as you want — though changing it frequently can confuse people trying to find you.

The process is the same whether you use the website, the mobile app, or a third-party app that connects to X. You need access to the email or phone number linked to your account, but you do not need to know your password.

Key Takeaways

  • Your X username is the @handle that appears in your profile URL and in replies — different from your display name, which is what people see at the top of your profile.
  • You can change your username from Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username — the change takes effect when ready across all your posts and replies.
  • Your old username becomes available for anyone else to use after 30 days, so if you want to reclaim it later, you must change back within that window.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, your posts, your direct messages, or your account history — everything stays attached to your account.
  • If you cannot access your account settings, you may need to reset your password or verify your identity through your linked email or phone number.

Finding the username setting on desktop or mobile

Open X in your browser or app and tap or click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner (on desktop) or bottom right corner (on mobile). Select Settings and Privacy. This opens a menu with several options — you are looking for Account, which is usually near the top of the list.

Once you are in Account settings, scroll down until you see Username. The current username appears in a text field with an @ symbol in front of it. Tap or click on that field to edit it.

Entering and confirming your new username

Delete the current username and type the new one you want. X usernames can contain letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces or most special characters. The username must be between 4 and 15 characters long. As you type, X shows you whether the username is available — a green checkmark means you can use it, and a red X means someone else has already claimed it.

Once you see the green checkmark, tap or click the Save button. X may ask you to confirm your identity by sending a code to your email or phone number. Check your email inbox or text messages for the code, enter it when prompted, and your username change is complete. The change appears on your profile and in all your posts when ready.

What happens to your old username

Your old username does not disappear — it becomes available for other people to claim after 30 days. During those 30 days, if you change your mind, you can go back to Account settings and change your username back to the old one without waiting. After 30 days pass, the old username is gone from your account permanently, and anyone else can take it.

This matters if your username is tied to your brand, business, or public identity. If you are changing your username and want to keep the old one, consider creating a second account and reserving the old username there, or wait until you are certain you will not need it again.

Usernames versus display names — what changes and what does not

Your username is the @handle — the thing that appears in your profile URL (x.com/@yourname) and when someone replies to you. Your display name is the text at the top of your profile, which can contain spaces, emoji, and special characters. Changing your username does not change your display name, and changing your display name does not change your username.

If you want to change your display name instead, go to Account settings, select Account Information, and edit the Name field. Display name changes take effect when ready and do not affect your username or any other part of your account.

Troubleshooting when you cannot change your username

If the Save button is greyed out or does not respond, the username you entered is either already taken, contains characters X does not allow, or is too short or too long. Try a different username, or add a number or underscore to make it unique.

If you cannot access Account settings at all, you may have been logged out. Log back in using your email address and password. If you have forgotten your password, tap or click Forgot password? on the login page, and X will send a reset link to your email. If you cannot access the email linked to your account, you may need to contact X Support through the Help Center to verify your identity another way.

How changing your username affects the rest of your account

Changing your username does not affect your followers, your following list, your posts, your likes, your direct messages, or your account history. Everything stays attached to your account — only the @handle changes. People who follow you continue to follow you, and your posts remain visible to the same audience.

However, if someone has bookmarked or shared a link to your old profile URL, that link will no longer work after you change your username. The link will show an error or direct to a blank page. If you have shared your username in other places online (a website, email signature, or other social media), you will need to update those links manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only within 30 days of changing it. After 30 days, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim, and you cannot use it again unless you wait for them to abandon it. If you think you might want your old username back, change it back within the 30-day window.

What if the username I want is already taken?

You cannot use a username that someone else currently has. Try adding a number, underscore, or abbreviation to make it unique. You can also check if the account using that username is active — if it has not posted in years and looks abandoned, you might try contacting X Support to see if they can help, though they rarely reassign usernames.

Does changing my username affect my email or password?

No. Your username and your login credentials are separate. You log in with your email address and password, not your username. Changing your username does not change either of those, and you do not need to update your password or email address when you change your handle.

Will people still be able to find me after I change my username?

People who follow you will still see your posts in their feed, and they can still find you by searching your display name. However, if they search for your old @username, they will not find you. If your username is how people know you, tell them about the change on your profile or in a post so they can update how they find you.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. X usernames can only contain letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or emoji in your username. If you want to use those characters, add them to your display name instead.