What a Facebook URL is and why you might change it

Your Facebook URL is the web address people use to find your profile — it looks like facebook.com/yourname. By default, Facebook assigns you a long string of numbers. You can change this to something shorter and easier to share, like facebook.com/sarah.martinez or facebook.com/sarahm23.

Changing your URL makes your profile easier to remember and share. It also gives you a small measure of control over how you appear online. Once you change it, your old numbered URL stops working, so anyone with the old link will see an error. Facebook does not redirect the old address automatically.

You can change your URL once every 60 days. If you change it and then want to change it again, you must wait two months. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook URL is the web address of your profile, and you can customize it to a short username instead of a number string.
  • You can only change your URL once every 60 days, and the old address will no longer work after you change it.
  • The username you choose must be between 5 and 50 characters, cannot contain spaces, and cannot be a name already taken by another account.
  • You change your URL through the Settings menu under "Username," not through your profile itself.
  • If your chosen username is taken, Facebook will tell you when ready and you must pick a different one before saving.

How to access the username settings

Open Facebook in a web browser or the Facebook app on your phone. Log in if you are not already signed in. On the app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of your screen. On a computer, click the downward arrow at the top right of the page.

Look for "Settings and Privacy" or just "Settings" depending on your app version. Tap or click it. You will see a menu with several options. Find and tap or click "Settings." This opens your account settings page.

Scroll down until you see "Username" listed under the "Personal Information" or "Account" section. The exact location varies slightly between the app and the website, but it is always in Settings. Tap or click on "Username."

Choosing a username that Facebook will accept

Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters long. It can include letters, numbers, and periods. It cannot include spaces, special characters like hyphens or underscores, or accented letters. Facebook will reject anything outside these rules when ready.

The username you choose cannot already be taken by another account. This includes accounts that are no longer active — if someone used that username before, you cannot use it now. Facebook checks this in real time as you type, so you will see a message if the name is unavailable.

Think about what you want your URL to say about you. If you use your real name, make sure you are comfortable with that being your public web address. If you prefer privacy, use a nickname or a combination of your name and numbers. You cannot change your username for 60 days after you set it, so choose something you will be happy with for at least two months.

Entering and confirming your new username

Type your chosen username into the field next to "Username." As you type, Facebook checks whether that name is available. If it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying the username is not available. If it is available, you will see a green checkmark.

Do not click anything until you see the green checkmark. If you try to save a username that is taken or invalid, Facebook will not let you proceed. Once the checkmark appears, the username is confirmed as available and ready to use.

Click or tap the "Save" or "Confirm" button. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type your password and click or tap "Confirm" again. Your new URL is now active. The change takes effect when ready.

What happens after you change your URL

Your new Facebook URL is now facebook.com/yournewusername. You can share this link with anyone, and it will take them directly to your profile. The old numbered URL no longer works — if someone tries to visit it, they will see an error page.

If you have shared your old URL anywhere online — in an email signature, on a website, in a forum post — that link is now broken. There is no redirect. If this matters to you, update those links to your new URL. You cannot get the old URL back, even after 60 days.

Your profile name (the display name that appears at the top of your profile) is separate from your URL. Changing your URL does not change your display name, and you can change your display name as often as you want. Your display name is what appears in posts and comments; your URL is just the web address.

Troubleshooting when your username will not save

If you see a message that your username is unavailable, it means someone else has already claimed it. Try adding a number to the end, like sarah.martinez23 instead of sarah.martinez. You can also try a variation of your name or a completely different username.

If you see an error message that says you cannot change your username yet, you have already changed it within the last 60 days. You must wait until the 60-day window has passed. Facebook does not show you when you will be able to change it again, but it is always 60 days from the date you made the last change.

If you are on the Facebook app and the Username option does not appear in Settings, try using a web browser instead. Some older app versions do not include the username feature. Go to facebook.com, log in, and follow the steps above using the website.

Keeping your account find after changing your URL

Changing your URL does not affect your account security. Your password, two-factor authentication, and login settings remain exactly the same. However, a custom URL makes your profile easier to find, which means it is also easier for strangers to locate you.

If you are concerned about privacy, review your profile visibility settings. You can limit who can see your posts, photos, and personal information. Go to Settings, then "Privacy," and choose who can see your profile — "Public," "Friends," or "Only Me." A custom URL does not override these privacy settings, but it does make your profile easier to discover.

Do not share your URL with people you do not trust. Unlike your profile name, your URL is permanent for 60 days, so if you give it to someone and later want to distance yourself from them, they will still have the link to your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook URL back to the numbered version?

No. Once you change to a custom username, you cannot revert to the numbered URL. You can only change to a different custom username, and only once every 60 days. If you regret your choice, you must wait 60 days and then change it to something else.

What if I want to use my real name but someone else has it?

Try adding your middle initial, a number, or a period. For example, if john.smith is taken, try john.m.smith or john.smith1. You can also use a nickname or a variation. Facebook does not reserve names for people with the same real name, so you may need to be creative.

Does changing my URL affect my Facebook Page if I have one?

No. Your personal profile URL and your Page URL are separate. Changing one does not affect the other. Pages have their own username settings, which you can change independently through the Page Settings menu.

Will people who have me added as a friend still be able to find me after I change my URL?

Yes. Your friends can still find you through the Friends list, through search, and through any direct messages or tags. Changing your URL does not affect your friendships or how friends access your profile. It only changes the web address.

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

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, and periods. Hyphens, underscores, spaces, and special characters will be rejected. If you want to separate words, use a period instead, like sarah.martinez or sarah.m.martinez.