You cannot change your Reddit username after you create it

Reddit does not offer a way to change the username on an existing account. Once you pick a username when you sign up, that name is permanent. If you want a different username, you have to create a new account with the name you want.

This is different from many other social platforms. Twitter lets you change your handle. Instagram lets you change your username. Reddit's design keeps usernames locked, which means you need to think through your choice before you confirm it during signup.

Key Takeaways

  • Reddit usernames cannot be changed after account creation, so choose carefully before you sign up.
  • If you want a different username, you must create a new account and start over with your subscriptions and history.
  • Deleted accounts free up usernames after 30 days, so a name you want may become available if the previous owner deletes their account.
  • You can change your display name (the name shown on your profile) separately from your username, which is what appears in comments and posts.
  • Plan your username around privacy and safety: avoid using your real name, birthdate, or other identifying information.

The difference between username and display name

Reddit has two separate name fields, and understanding the difference matters for your privacy. Your username is what appears next to every comment and post you make. It is permanent and cannot be changed. Your display name is optional and appears on your profile page only — most people do not set one, and it does not show up in the feed.

If you want to change what people see when they read your comments, you cannot do it by changing your username. You can only change your display name, which most readers will never see. This is why choosing your username carefully at signup matters: it is the name that will follow your posts forever.

How to create a new account with a different username

If you decide you need a different username, the only path is to start a new account. Go to reddit.com, click "Sign up" in the top right, and enter the username you want. Reddit will tell you when ready if the name is taken or if it breaks the site rules (usernames cannot contain certain characters or be longer than 20 characters).

When you create the new account, you start from zero. Your subscriptions, saved posts, upvote history, and comment history all stay with your old account. You will have to resubscribe to the communities you want to follow. If you want to keep your old account for reference or to maintain your post history, you can keep both accounts active — Reddit allows you to own multiple accounts.

To switch between accounts on the same device, click your username in the top right corner and select "Log out," then log in with your new account. On the Reddit app, tap your profile icon, scroll down, and tap "Log out" to switch accounts.

What happens to your old account

Your old account does not disappear when you create a new one. All your posts and comments remain visible under your old username unless you delete them manually. If you want to remove your presence from your old account, you can delete individual posts and comments, or you can delete the entire account.

When you delete a Reddit account, your username becomes available for someone else to use after 30 days. Your posts and comments are removed from the site (though archived copies may exist elsewhere). If you think you might want your old username back someday, do not delete the account — just stop using it.

Choosing a username that protects your privacy

Since you cannot change your username later, think about privacy before you pick one. Avoid usernames that include your real name, birthdate, email address, or other identifying information. Reddit is pseudonymous, meaning you do not have to use your real identity — and most users do not. A username like "sarah_1992_chicago" tells people your approximate age, location, and possibly your real name.

A random or generic username like "FrozenBanana42" or "QuietReader88" keeps your identity separate from your Reddit activity. This matters because your Reddit history is public and searchable. Someone could find your account by searching your real name, and then read years of your posts and comments. Using a username unconnected to your real identity makes that much harder.

You also cannot use certain characters in your username. Reddit allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores only. Spaces are not allowed. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "RedditUser" and "reddituser" are treated as the same account.

If the username you want is taken

If someone else has the username you want, you have a few options. You can choose a variation — add a number, use an underscore, or pick a different name altogether. You can also wait: if the account owner deletes their account, the username becomes available 30 days later. There is no way to request a username from an inactive account or to see when an account was last used.

Some people buy and sell Reddit accounts with specific usernames, but this violates Reddit's terms of service. Accounts created for sale are often banned, and buying an account puts your own activity at risk if the seller reports it or if the account is suspended.

Changing your display name instead

If you want to change the name on your profile without creating a new account, you can set a display name. This is optional and only shows on your profile page. To add or change your display name, go to your profile, click the three dots in the top right, select "Edit profile," and enter a display name in the "Display name" field. You can change this as often as you want.

Keep in mind that your display name does not change what appears next to your posts and comments — that is always your username. Display names are useful if you want your profile to show something different from your username, but they do not solve the problem of a username you dislike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay Reddit to change my username?

No. Reddit does not offer a paid username change service. The only way to get a different username is to create a new account. This is a permanent policy, not something that might change in the future.

Will my old posts show up under my new account?

No. Your posts and comments stay with your old account. Your new account starts with no history. If you want to move a specific post to your new account, you have to copy the text and repost it manually.

What if I forgot my password and cannot access my old account?

You can reset your password using the email address linked to your account. Go to reddit.com/login, click "Forgot password," and follow the steps. If you no longer have access to that email address, Reddit's support team may be able to help you regain access — contact them through the help center.

Can I use the same email for two Reddit accounts?

No. Each Reddit account must have a unique email address. If you want to create a new account, you will need a different email. You can use a free email service like Gmail to create a second address quickly.

Does Reddit let me hide my username from my posts?

No. Your username always appears next to your posts and comments. If you want to post anonymously, you would need to use a different account with a username that does not identify you.