You choose your username when you sign up, or change it anytime in your account settings

Your TikTok username is the handle that appears after the @ symbol on your profile — the name other users see and use to find you. You pick it during account creation, but you are not locked into that choice. You can change your username once every 30 days through your account settings, at no cost.

The username you want may already be taken. TikTok does not hold usernames for inactive accounts, so a taken name might belong to someone who has not posted in months or years. You cannot request that TikTok release a username, but you can try variations: adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations often makes a similar name available.

Your username is different from your display name. The display name is what appears at the top of your profile and can be changed as often as you want. The username is the permanent address people use to tag you or search for you directly.

Key Takeaways

  • You create your username during sign-up or change it anytime in Settings, with a 30-day wait between changes.
  • Usernames can be 2 to 24 characters long and can include letters, numbers, underscores, and periods.
  • If your first choice is taken, try adding numbers or underscores rather than waiting for the account to become inactive.
  • Your username and display name are separate — you can change your display name whenever you want without affecting your username.
  • TikTok usernames are case-insensitive, so @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are the same account.

Creating a username during sign-up

When you first create a TikTok account through the app or website, you will be asked to choose a username. TikTok suggests a random handle, but you can replace it with anything you prefer. Type your choice into the username field and TikTok will tell you when ready whether it is available.

You have time to experiment during sign-up. If your first choice is taken, try variations right there before you finish creating the account. Once you complete sign-up, you can still change your username, but you will have to wait 30 days between changes.

Changing your username in settings

Open the TikTok app and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner, then select Settings and privacy. Scroll down and tap Account, then tap Username.

The current username appears in a text field. Delete it and type the new username you want. TikTok checks availability as you type. If the name is available, a green checkmark appears. Tap Save or Confirm to lock in the change. You will not be able to change it again for 30 days.

If you are on the TikTok website instead of the app, the path is the same: click your profile picture, select Settings and privacy, go to Account, then Username.

Rules for what a username can be

TikTok usernames must be between 2 and 24 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, underscores, and periods. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens, commas, or symbols.

Usernames are case-insensitive, meaning @JohnSmith, @johnsmith, and @JOHNSMITH all point to the same account. TikTok treats them as identical, so capitalization does not make a username unique or available if the lowercase version is taken.

TikTok does not reserve usernames for verified accounts or creators with large followings. A username is available or it is not, regardless of who holds it.

What to do if your username choice is taken

If the username you want shows as unavailable, the account exists but may not be active. You cannot request that TikTok release it, and there is no waiting period after which inactive accounts lose their usernames.

Your best option is to modify the name slightly. Add a number at the end (like @johnsmith42), insert an underscore (like @john_smith), or use an abbreviation (like @jsmith). These small changes often make a similar name available while keeping it recognizable to people looking for you.

If you are trying to build a brand or professional presence, consider whether a variation of your preferred name works for your goals. Many successful creators use numbers or underscores in their usernames, and audiences adapt quickly.

Usernames versus display names

Your username is your permanent handle — the @name that appears in your profile URL and that people use to tag or search for you. Your display name is the text that appears at the top of your profile, above your bio.

You can change your display name as many times as you want, whenever you want. This is useful if you want to update how your name appears without losing your established username. For example, you could keep the username @jsmith but change your display name to "John Smith — Photographer" or "John Smith (Inactive)."

When someone searches for you or tags you, they use your username, not your display name. Make sure your username is something you are comfortable keeping for a while, since you can only change it once every 30 days.

Protecting your username once you have it

Once you choose a username, keep your account active to hold onto it. TikTok does not delete accounts for inactivity alone, so your username remains yours even if you do not post for months or years. However, if you delete your account, the username becomes available for someone else to claim when ready.

If you want to rebrand or start fresh, you can change your username to something new and keep your existing account. This preserves your follower count and video history. You do not have to delete and restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a username that someone else is using?

No. If a username is taken, you cannot request that TikTok release it or transfer it to you. The account holding it may be inactive, but TikTok does not recycle usernames. Your option is to choose a variation — adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations — or pick a different name altogether.

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

You must wait 30 days between username changes. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again until 30 days from now. Your display name can be changed anytime without this restriction.

Will changing my username affect my followers or videos?

No. Your followers stay with you, your videos remain on your account, and your follower count does not change. The only thing that changes is the @handle people use to find you. Old links to your profile using your previous username may stop working, so update your bio and any external links if you change your username.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. TikTok usernames can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. Spaces, hyphens, commas, and other symbols are not allowed. If you want to separate words, use an underscore instead.

Is my username the same as my display name?

No. Your username is the @handle (like @johnsmith), and your display name is the text above your bio (like "John Smith"). You can change your display name anytime, but your username can only be changed once every 30 days. When people search for or tag you, they use your username.