You can change your Twitter username anytime through your account settings

Your Twitter username (the handle that starts with @) is different from your display name. You can change your username once every 30 days without losing your account, followers, or tweet history. The process takes less than a minute and happens when ready.

Twitter does not hold your old username in reserve — if you change from @oldname to @newname, someone else can claim @oldname within minutes. This matters if you think you might want to switch back later.

Changing your username does not affect your direct messages, saved tweets, or any other account data. People who follow you will still see you in their feed, though they will see your new handle next to your tweets going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Twitter username once every 30 days through Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username.
  • Your old username becomes available for anyone to claim when ready after you change it, so do not expect to reclaim it later.
  • Changing your username does not delete your account, remove your followers, or erase your tweets — only the @ handle changes.
  • If you have shared your old username in links, bios, or other places, those links will no longer point to your profile after the change.
  • You cannot change your username more than once per 30-day period, even if you change it back to the original.

Steps to change your username on the web

Open Twitter in a web browser and sign in to your account. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the screen, then select Settings and Privacy.

From the left sidebar, click Account. Look for the Username field near the top of the page. Click in the field and delete your current username, then type your new one. Twitter will check in real time whether the username is available — if it is taken, you will see a red X and a message saying the username is unavailable.

Once you have entered a username that is available, click the Save button. Twitter will confirm the change when ready. You are now logged in under your new username.

Steps to change your username on the mobile app

Open the Twitter app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy.

Tap Account, then tap Username. Delete your current username and type the new one you want. The app will show you whether it is available as you type. Once you have found an available username, tap Save at the top of the screen.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, Twitter releases your old one when ready. This means anyone can claim it right away — even someone you do not know. If you are worried about impersonation, you might want to change your username to something similar to your old one so people recognize it is still you.

If you have shared your old username anywhere — in your email signature, on a website, in a resume, or in links you posted — those will no longer work. People who click an old link to your profile will see a "This account does not exist" message. You may want to update those links before you change your username, or post a tweet letting people know your new handle.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Twitter enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again for 30 days — even if you want to change it back to your original handle. This rule applies to every account, with no exceptions.

If you realize you made a mistake right after changing your username, you will have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again. This is why it is worth double-checking your new username before you click Save.

Choosing a username that fits your needs

Twitter usernames can be 4 to 15 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or most special characters. Usernames are not case-sensitive — @MyName and @myname are the same account.

If you use Twitter for work, you might want a username that matches your name or brand. If you use it personally, you have more freedom. Keep in mind that your username is the first thing people see when they find your profile, so choose something you will be comfortable with for a while — remember, you can only change it once a month.

What does not change when you update your username

Your display name (the name shown above your username) stays the same unless you change it separately. Your bio, profile picture, header image, and all your tweets remain exactly as they were. Your followers do not unfollow you, and you do not unfollow anyone.

Direct messages you have sent and received stay in your inbox. Likes, retweets, and replies you made under your old username still show up on your profile under your new username. The only thing that changes is the @ handle that appears next to your name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can try, but only if no one else has claimed it in the meantime — and someone usually does within minutes. You will also have to wait 30 days after your first change before you can change it again. If you think you might want to go back, consider changing to something similar to your old username instead.

What if the username I want is taken?

You cannot use a username that is already claimed by another account. Try adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations to make it unique. You can also check if the account using it is active — if it has not posted in years, you might try contacting Twitter support, though they rarely reassign usernames.

Will my followers see my new username right away?

Yes. Your followers will see your new username the next time they refresh their feed or open the app. They will still follow you automatically — the change does not affect the follow relationship at all.

Do I need to update my password when I change my username?

No. Your password stays the same, and you log in with your email address or phone number, not your username. Changing your username does not affect your login credentials.

What if I change my username and then get locked out of my account?

If you cannot log in after changing your username, use your email address or phone number to sign in instead — Twitter does not require you to use your username to access your account. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login page to reset it.