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 or facebook.com/yourprofilenumber. Facebook assigns you a default URL based on your account number, but you can change it once to something more memorable, like your actual name or a nickname.

You might change your URL if your name has changed, if you want something shorter than your current address, or if you want to match a username you use elsewhere. Once you change it, your old URL stops working within a few minutes, though Facebook keeps your profile accessible through your new address.

Facebook lets you change your URL only once per account. After you make the change, you cannot revert to the old one or switch to a different custom URL later, so think through what you want before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook URL once by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then finding the Username field under Personal Information.
  • Your new URL takes effect when ready, but the old one stops working within a few minutes.
  • You cannot change your URL again after the first time, and you cannot go back to your old address.
  • Your new URL must be between 5 and 50 characters, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and not already be taken by another account.

How to find the URL settings on your profile

Open Facebook in a web browser and log into your account. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen — this opens a menu with your account options.

From that menu, select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings. You will land on a page with a left sidebar listing different sections. Look for Personal Information in that sidebar and click it.

Scroll down on the Personal Information page until you see the Username field. This is where your current URL appears. If you have not yet set a custom URL, you will see your account number instead.

Entering your new URL and checking availability

Click on the Username field to edit it. Delete what is currently there and type the new address you want. Remember that Facebook will add facebook.com/ before whatever you type, so you only need to enter the part after that.

As you type, Facebook checks whether that username is available. If the name is taken or does not meet Facebook's rules, you will see a red message telling you why. Available usernames show a green checkmark. Keep trying different variations until you find one that works — adding numbers, underscores, or periods often helps if your first choice is taken.

Your new username must be between 5 and 50 characters long. It can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like hyphens or symbols. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so Facebook treats "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" as the same thing.

Saving your new URL and what happens next

Once you have typed a username that shows the green checkmark, click the Save button or Confirm button — the exact wording depends on which version of Facebook you are using. Facebook will ask you to confirm the change one more time before it goes through.

After you confirm, your new URL is active when ready. Your profile now appears at facebook.com/yournewusername. The old URL stops working within a few minutes, so if you have shared your old address anywhere, update those links to the new one.

If you shared your old URL on a website, in an email signature, or in other places, people who click those old links will see an error or be redirected to your profile without the custom URL. It is a good idea to update any important places where you listed your old address.

What to do if your desired username is already taken

If the username you want shows a red message saying it is unavailable, that address belongs to another Facebook account. You cannot use it, and there is no way to request it or get on a waiting list.

Try adding numbers to the end — for example, if "jane.smith" is taken, try "jane.smith23" or "jane.smith2024". You can also use underscores or periods in different places: "jane_smith", "jane.smith", or "janesmith" might be available even if one version is not.

If you are trying to match a username you use on other platforms and it is taken on Facebook, you may need to pick something slightly different. Many people add their location, profession, or a number to make their username unique across multiple sites.

Changing your URL on mobile devices

If you are using Facebook on a phone or tablet, the process is similar but the menu layout is slightly different. Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or top right on Android.

Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap it. Find the Username field, tap it to edit, and follow the same steps as the web version — type your new username, check that it shows a green checkmark, and tap Save.

The change takes effect just as quickly on mobile as it does on a computer. Your new URL is live within seconds, though it may take a few minutes for the old one to stop working across all of Facebook's servers.

Things to know before you change your URL

Remember that you get only one chance to set a custom URL. After you change it, you cannot change it again, even if you want to go back to your old address or try something different. Think about what you want your URL to be and make sure you are happy with it before you click Save.

Your URL is public and searchable. Anyone can find your profile by typing your username into Facebook's search bar or by visiting facebook.com/yourusername directly. If you want your profile to be harder to find, you can adjust your privacy settings separately — changing your URL does not affect who can see your posts or contact you.

If you change your name in your profile settings, your URL does not change automatically. Your URL and your display name are separate things. You can have a display name that is different from your username, which gives you flexibility if your circumstances change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my URL more than once?

No. Facebook allows you to set a custom URL only one time per account. After you make the change, you cannot change it again, so choose carefully before you confirm.

What happens to my old URL after I change it?

Your old URL stops working within a few minutes. If you shared it anywhere, people who click it will see an error or be redirected to your profile. Update any important links to your new address.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or spaces in my URL?

No. Your username can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, and other special characters are not allowed.

Does changing my URL affect my privacy settings?

No. Your URL and your privacy settings are separate. Changing your URL does not make your profile more or less visible to others. Adjust your privacy settings separately if you want to control who can see your posts.

What if I forgot what my current URL is?

Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Look at the Username field — that shows your current URL. If you have not set a custom one yet, you will see your account number instead.