You can change your Reddit username once every 30 days through your account settings

Reddit lets you change your username, but with one important limit: you can only do it once per 30 days. The change takes effect when ready, and your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a few months. Unlike some platforms, Reddit does not let you revert to a previous username, so choose carefully before you confirm the change.

The process itself takes about two minutes and happens entirely in your account settings. You do not need to contact Reddit support or go through any verification beyond your password. However, there are a few things worth knowing before you make the switch — particularly about what changes and what stays the same when you do.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days by going to User Settings, then Account, then Change Username.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use after a few months, so you cannot reclaim it later.
  • All your posts, comments, and karma stay attached to your new username — nothing is lost when you change it.
  • People who tagged or mentioned your old username will see a broken link, but direct messages and saved content follow you to your new name.

Step-by-step: changing your username on desktop

Open Reddit and make sure you are logged in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner — it looks like a small circle with your current username or avatar inside it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Select User Settings from that menu. You will land on a page with tabs across the top. Click the Account tab. Scroll down until you see the section labeled Change Username. Enter your new username in the text field, then click the Change button. Reddit will ask you to confirm your password before the change goes through. Type your password and click Confirm. Your new username is now active.

Changing your username on mobile

The mobile app follows the same path. Tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Select Settings from the menu that appears. Tap Account. Scroll down to Change Username, enter your new name, and tap Change. You will be asked for your password again before the change is confirmed.

If you are using Reddit through a mobile web browser rather than the app, the desktop steps above will work the same way.

What happens to your posts and comments when you change your username

Everything you have posted or commented stays attached to your account and now shows your new username. Your karma score does not change. Subreddits where you are a moderator will still recognize you as a moderator. Your saved posts and comments remain saved.

However, if someone tagged you in a comment using your old username — for example, u/oldname — that tag will no longer work. The mention will appear as a broken link. People who want to reach you after your name change will need to use your new username to tag you. Direct messages you sent or received are not affected and will still show in your inbox.

Username rules and what makes a good choice

Reddit usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so MyName and myname are treated as the same account.

Before you settle on a new name, think about whether it contains information you might want to change later — like a birth year, a reference to a relationship, or anything tied to a job or location. Since you can only change your username once every 30 days, a generic name gives you more flexibility if your circumstances shift. Also consider whether the name you want is one you would be comfortable with appearing in your post history, since your old posts will be publicly visible under your new username.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, Reddit will not let you change it again for 30 days. If you try to access the Change Username section before that time has passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. The timer starts the moment you confirm your change, not when you first enter the new name.

This means you should be confident in your choice before you click Confirm. If you realize when ready after changing your username that you made a mistake, you will have to wait the full 30 days before you can change it again.

What happens to your old username

When you change your username, your old one does not disappear when ready. It becomes unavailable for a period of time — Reddit does not publicly state exactly how long, but it is typically a few months. After that window closes, someone else can claim the old username. This means you cannot switch back to a previous username later, even if you wanted to.

If you had a username that was tied to your identity or contained personal information, this is actually a privacy benefit: the old name will eventually be available for someone else to use, which means it will not be permanently associated with you in Reddit's system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once a month?

No. Reddit enforces a strict 30-day waiting period between username changes. You can only change your username once every 30 days, and the timer resets each time you make a change.

Will my subreddit subscriptions follow me to my new username?

Yes. All your subscriptions, saved posts, upvotes, downvotes, and account settings stay exactly the same when you change your username. The change only affects the name that appears next to your posts and comments.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change it?

Once your old username becomes available (after a few months), anyone can claim it. You cannot reclaim it later. If this concerns you, you can change your username again after 30 days to something else, but you cannot go back to a previous name.

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

No. Your password stays the same. You will use your new username to log in going forward, but your password does not change automatically. You can change your password separately in User Settings if you want to.

Can I change my username if I have been suspended or banned?

If your account is suspended or banned, you will not be able to access your account settings to change your username. You would need to address the suspension or ban first through Reddit's support process.