How to change your Facebook username

You can change the username that appears in your Facebook profile URL once every 14 days. Open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to your profile, click the edit button next to your name, and select "Username" from the menu. Type your new username — it must be between 5 and 50 characters, use only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be taken by another account. Facebook will tell you when ready if the name is available. Click "Review" and then "Save Changes" to confirm.

Your username is different from your display name. The display name is what your friends see on posts and comments, and you can change it as often as you want. The username is the short web address — facebook.com/yourname — that people use to find your profile directly. Changing your username does not affect your display name, and old links to your profile will automatically redirect to your new username for 14 days.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 14 days by going to your profile, clicking edit next to your name, and selecting "Username" from the menu.
  • Usernames must be 5 to 50 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
  • Your username appears in your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname) and is separate from your display name, which you can change anytime.
  • Old profile links will redirect to your new username for 14 days, but after that they will stop working.

Where to find the username setting

On a computer, log into Facebook and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, look for the "Edit profile" button — it appears near your cover photo. Click it, and a menu will open on the left side. Scroll down until you see "Username" and click on it.

On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Tap "Personal Information" and then "Name." Scroll down to find "Username" and tap it. The steps are the same whether you use iPhone or Android.

Rules for choosing a new username

Facebook has specific rules about what characters and words you can use. Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters (A–Z, a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. Facebook will reject the username when ready if it breaks these rules, so you will see an error message before you try to save.

You also cannot use a username that is already taken by another account. When you type a name into the username field, Facebook shows you right away whether it is available. If the name is taken, try adding a number, period, or underscore — for example, "john.smith" instead of "johnsmith," or "john_smith1" instead of "john_smith." Avoid usernames that impersonate public figures or brands, as Facebook may disable your account if you do.

What happens to your old profile link

When you change your username, your old profile URL stops working — but not when ready. For 14 days after the change, anyone who clicks your old link or types the old URL into their browser will be automatically sent to your new profile. After 14 days, the old link becomes inactive and people will see an error if they try to use it.

This means you should tell people who have bookmarked or saved your old profile link that it will stop working in two weeks. If you have shared your profile link in messages, comments, or posts, those links will still work during the 14-day window. After that, you will need to share your new username with anyone who needs to find your profile.

The difference between username and display name

Your display name is the name that appears next to your posts, comments, and messages. You can change your display name as often as you want, and there is no waiting period between changes. Your username, by contrast, is the short web address in your profile URL and can only be changed once every 14 days.

Many people use their real name as their display name but choose a shorter or more creative username for their profile URL. For example, your display name could be "Sarah Elizabeth Johnson" but your username could be "sarahej" or "sarah.johnson." Changing one does not affect the other — if you change your display name, your username stays the same, and vice versa.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username, you may have changed it within the last 14 days. Facebook enforces a strict 14-day waiting period between changes, and there is no way to shorten this time. If you changed your username recently and want to change it again, you will have to wait until the 14 days have passed. You can check when you last changed your username by going back to the username setting — it will show you the date of your last change.

If the username you want is taken, Facebook will tell you when ready. Try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique. If you see an error message that says your username contains invalid characters, check that you are only using letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, and special characters are not allowed. If you are still having trouble, try logging out and logging back in, then go to the username setting again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 14 days?

No. Facebook allows you to change your username once every 14 days. If you try to change it again before 14 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. The 14-day timer starts from the date you made your last change, not from when you tried to change it.

What if someone else takes the username I want?

If the username you want is already taken, you cannot use it. Try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique — for example, "john.smith" or "johnsmith1." You can also check back later in case the other person changes their username, but there is no way to reserve a name or put yourself on a waiting list.

Will changing my username affect my friends or messages?

No. Your friends will still be able to find you, and your messages will not be affected. Your display name (the name that shows on posts and comments) stays the same unless you change it separately. The only thing that changes is your profile URL — old links will redirect for 14 days, then stop working.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or @ symbols in my username?

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Hyphens, spaces, @, #, and other special characters are not permitted. If you try to use them, Facebook will show an error message and prevent you from saving the username.

What if I want to change my username back to what it was before?

You can change your username back to a previous one, but you have to wait 14 days between changes. If someone else has taken your old username in the meantime, you will not be able to use it again. Choose your new username carefully, since you will have to wait two weeks before you can change it again.