You can change your Facebook username once every 30 days through your settings

Your Facebook username is the custom web address people use to find your profile — it appears in the URL as facebook.com/yourname. You can change it whenever you want, but Facebook limits you to one change per 30 days. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in your account settings, with no approval needed.

The username is different from your display name, which is what appears on your posts and comments. You can change your display name as often as you like, but the username — the part people type into the address bar — follows the 30-day rule. If you changed your username recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Facebook settings, go to Personal Information, then Username, and type your new username to change it when ready.
  • Your new username must be at least five characters long and can include letters, numbers, and periods, but not spaces or special characters.
  • You can only change your username once every 30 days, and the timer starts from the moment you make the change.
  • Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so choose carefully if you plan to switch back later.
  • Changing your username does not affect your display name, profile picture, or any of your posts — only the web address people use to find you.

Step-by-step: changing your username on desktop

Start by opening Facebook in your web browser and logging in. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen, next to your profile picture. A menu will drop down with several options.

Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with different categories. Click Personal information. Look for the row labeled Username — it will show your current username and a pencil icon next to it.

Click the pencil icon to edit. A text box will appear with your current username highlighted. Delete it and type your new username. Facebook will check in real time whether the username is available — if it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying so. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark. Once you see the green checkmark, click Review or Save (the button label varies by device).

Your new username is now active. The change takes effect when ready, and your old username becomes available for others to claim. You will not be able to change it again for 30 days.

Changing your username on the Facebook mobile app

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down to Personal information and tap it. Find Username in the list. Tap the pencil icon next to your current username. Type your new username in the text box that appears. The app will show you whether it is available with a checkmark or X, just like the desktop version.

Once you see the green checkmark, tap Review or Save. The change takes effect right away, and you will see your new username displayed in your profile.

Rules for choosing a new username

Your username must be at least five characters long. It can contain letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and periods. It cannot contain spaces, hyphens, underscores, or special characters like @, #, or &. Facebook will reject any username that breaks these rules and show you an error message.

Your username cannot be the same as your display name, and it cannot match a username that is already in use. If you try a username that is taken, Facebook will suggest similar alternatives that are available. You can also use a period in creative ways — for example, if john.smith is taken, you might try john.smith. (with a period at the end) or j.ohn.smith.

Choose a username you are comfortable with long-term. While you can change it again after 30 days, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim when ready. If you change your mind and want your old username back, someone else may have already taken it.

What happens to your profile when you change your username

Your profile URL changes, but everything else stays the same. Your display name, profile picture, cover photo, posts, comments, and all your connections remain exactly as they were. People who have you bookmarked or saved your old profile link will see an error page, but they can still find you by searching your display name or by visiting your new profile URL.

If you have shared your Facebook profile link anywhere — in an email signature, on a website, or in a document — that old link will no longer work. You may want to update those links to your new username if they are in places you control. However, people can still reach your profile by searching for your display name in Facebook's search bar.

If you cannot find the username option in settings

Some accounts, particularly very old ones or accounts created in certain countries, may not have a username feature. If you do not see a Username row in your Personal Information settings, your account may not support custom usernames. In that case, your profile URL will be a long string of numbers instead of a custom name.

You can still create a username even if you do not see the option when ready. Go to your profile page, click the three dots in the top right corner of your cover photo, and select Create username if that option appears. If it does not appear anywhere, contact Facebook through the Help Center to ask whether your account is may be able to access for a username.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not when ready. You must wait 30 days between changes. However, your old username becomes available for others to claim as soon as you change it, so someone else may have taken it. If you want to switch back, check whether it is still available before your 30-day waiting period ends.

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

Your display name is what appears on your posts and comments — you can change it as often as you like. Your username is the custom web address (facebook.com/yourname) — you can change it only once every 30 days. Both can be different from your actual legal name.

Will changing my username affect my messages or friend list?

No. Your messages, friends, followers, and all your account data stay exactly the same. Only the web address people use to find your profile changes. Your friends will still see you in their friend list and can still message you.

How long does it take for my new username to show up everywhere?

The change takes effect when ready in your settings and on your profile. However, it may take a few hours for the new username to appear everywhere on Facebook — in search results, on other people's profiles where you are tagged, and in other places. If you do not see it right away, try refreshing your browser or closing and reopening the app.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?

No. Your username can only contain letters, numbers, and periods. Spaces, hyphens, underscores, and special characters like @, #, or & are not allowed. If you try to use them, Facebook will show an error and ask you to choose a different username.