Your Facebook username is the custom web address people use to find your profile

Your Facebook username is the short, custom name that appears in your profile URL — the web address people type or click to reach your profile. It looks like facebook.com/yourname instead of a long string of numbers. Facebook assigns you a default username based on your name when you create an account, but you can change it to something shorter or more memorable.

Not every account has a username yet. If you created your account years ago, you may only have a numeric ID. You can create a username once, and then change it again after 60 days have passed since your last change. Each username must be between 5 and 50 characters, use only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be someone else's current username.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username is the custom web address at facebook.com/yourname, separate from your display name.
  • You can create a username from your settings if you do not have one, or change an existing username after 60 days have passed since the last change.
  • Usernames must be 5 to 50 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
  • Once you change your username, your old profile URL stops working and redirects to your new one for a limited time.

Where to find your current username in settings

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture. On a computer, click the down arrow in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu), scroll down, and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings.

In Settings, look for the Personal information section on the left side (computer) or scroll down (phone). Click or tap Personal information. Your username appears in this section. If you see only a number instead of a custom name, you have not created a username yet and can create one here.

How to create a username if you do not have one

If your profile shows only a numeric ID, click or tap the Username field. A box will open asking you to create one. Type the name you want — it must be 5 to 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Facebook will tell you right away if the name is taken or breaks the rules.

Once you create a username, you cannot delete it, but you can change it. You must wait 60 days after creating it before you can change it to something else. After that, you can change it as often as you want, as long as you wait 60 days between each change.

How to change an existing username

Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information as described above. Click or tap the Username field. A box will open showing your current username with an edit button next to it. Click or tap the edit button (usually a pencil icon).

Type your new username. Facebook will check in real time whether it is available and follows the rules. Once you confirm the change, your old profile URL will redirect to your new one for a short time, but eventually the old link will stop working. Tell people who have bookmarked your old profile to update their bookmarks.

What happens when you change your username

Your profile URL changes when ready, but the old URL will redirect to your new one for a limited time — usually a few weeks or months, though Facebook does not publish an exact window. After that redirect expires, the old URL will not work. Anyone who has your old URL bookmarked or saved will need to use your new one.

Your display name (the name that appears on your posts and comments) is separate from your username and does not change unless you change it yourself. You can have a display name like "Sarah Johnson" and a username like "sarahjohnson22" — they do not have to match.

Rules for choosing a username

Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters long. You can use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. Facebook will reject a username if it is already taken, if it violates their community standards, or if it looks like it is impersonating someone else.

You cannot use a username that is someone else's current username, but you can sometimes use a name that someone else used in the past if they changed it. If you want a very popular name like "john" or "sarah", it is almost certainly taken. Try adding a number, period, or underscore to make it unique.

Troubleshooting username problems

If Facebook says a username is unavailable but you cannot find anyone using it, the account may be inactive, deleted, or the name may be reserved by Facebook. You cannot claim a reserved name. If you see an error message that does not explain why your choice was rejected, try a different variation.

If you changed your username recently and want to change it again, you must wait 60 days from the date of your last change. Facebook will show you when you can change it next. If you are locked out of your account or cannot access your settings, recover your account first by following Facebook's account recovery process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have the same username as someone else?

No. Each username on Facebook must be unique. If the name you want is taken, you cannot use it. You can try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to create a similar variation that is available.

What is the difference between a username and a display name?

Your username is the web address (facebook.com/yourname) and is unique to you. Your display name is what appears on your posts and comments and can be changed anytime. They do not have to match.

How long do I have to wait before changing my username again?

You must wait 60 days after your last username change before you can change it again. Facebook will show you the exact date you can make your next change in your settings.

Will my old profile URL still work after I change my username?

Your old URL will redirect to your new one for a limited time, usually a few weeks to a few months. After that, the old link will stop working and people will need to use your new username.

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

No. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, and special characters like @, #, or & are not allowed.