Where to find your username and what you can change

Your Facebook username is the custom web address that appears in your profile URL — the part after facebook.com/. You can change it once every 60 days through your account settings. The username is different from your display name, which is what appears on your posts and profile and can be changed as often as you want.

Facebook lets you pick a username that is between 5 and 50 characters long, using letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens or dashes. The username must be unique — if someone else already has it, you will need to choose something different.

Changing your username does not affect your account security, your friends list, or any of your posts or photos. People who have bookmarked your old profile link will be automatically redirected to your new one for up to a year, though it is a good idea to update your username in places where you have shared it publicly.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook username once every 60 days by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Username.
  • Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but not spaces or hyphens.
  • Changing your username does not change your display name, affect your friends, or delete any of your content.
  • Old profile links redirect to your new username for about a year, but you should update your username anywhere you have shared it publicly.

Step-by-step: changing your username on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in to your account. Click the downward-facing arrow in the top right corner of the page, next to your profile picture. A menu will appear with several options.

Select Settings and Privacy, then click Settings in the submenu that appears. You will be taken to your account settings page. On the left side, you will see a menu with different categories. Click Personal Information.

Scroll down until you see the Username field. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username into the text box. Facebook will tell you when ready whether the username is available or already taken. Once you have chosen an available username, click Review Change, then Save Changes.

Changing your username on the Facebook app

Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.

Tap Personal Information. You will see your username listed there. Tap Username to edit it. Type your new username and tap Review Change. Facebook will show you a preview of how your new profile link will look. If you are happy with it, tap Save Changes.

What to do if your username is already taken

If the username you want is already in use, Facebook will show you a message saying it is unavailable. You will need to choose a different one. Try adding numbers to the end, using an underscore or period in the middle, or picking a variation of the name you want.

You cannot request that someone else change their username, and Facebook does not have a waiting list for usernames. If a username becomes inactive or the account is deleted, Facebook may eventually release it, but there is no way to know when or to claim it in advance.

Updating your username in other places

If you have shared your Facebook profile link on a website, in an email signature, or on other social media accounts, you should update those links to your new username. While old links will redirect for about a year, it is better to update them sooner so people see your current username right away.

Check any places where you have listed your Facebook profile publicly: your personal website, LinkedIn profile, Instagram bio, Twitter bio, or email signature. Update the link to use your new username. This also helps if you ever want to delete your old username and use a different one in the future.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you see a message that you cannot change your username yet, you have likely changed it within the last 60 days. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between username changes. You will need to wait until that period has passed before you can change it again.

If the username field does not appear in your Personal Information settings, your account type may not support custom usernames. Business accounts, some creator accounts, and accounts in certain countries may not have the option to set a custom username. In that case, your profile will use a numeric ID instead, and you cannot change it to a custom username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook limits username changes to once every 60 days. If you try to change it before that period is up, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. Mark your calendar if you think you might want to change it again soon.

Will my friends still be able to find me if I change my username?

Yes. Your friends will still see you in their friends list and can message you the same way. Your old profile link will redirect to your new one, so old messages with your profile link will still work. Changing your username does not affect your friendships or how people contact you.

What happens to my old username after I change it?

Your old username becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. If you think you might want to use that username again in the future, do not change it. Once someone else claims it, you cannot get it back.

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

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and underscores in usernames. You cannot use hyphens, spaces, or other special characters. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or period instead.

Does changing my username affect my password or security?

No. Your username and password are separate. Changing your username does not change your password or affect your account security in any way. Your login credentials stay the same.