You can edit a post or comment on Reddit within a time window, but the window closes after six months

Reddit lets you change the text of a post or comment you have written, but only if you own the account that posted it. The edit window is permanent — you can edit something you posted six months ago or six years ago. However, once you delete a post, you cannot get it back, and once someone else replies to your post, the edit history becomes visible to other users as a small "edited" marker.

The process is the same whether you are on a computer or a phone, though the buttons appear in slightly different places. You will see an edit option next to your own posts and comments, but not next to anyone else's.

Key Takeaways

  • You can edit any post or comment you wrote by clicking the three-dot menu next to it and selecting Edit.
  • An "edited" marker appears next to your post if anyone has replied to it, showing other users that you changed the text after posting.
  • You cannot edit the title of a post after you submit it, only the body text.
  • Deleted posts cannot be recovered, so use the Edit button instead of Delete if you want to keep the post but change what it says.

How to edit a post on desktop Reddit

Open the post you want to change and look for the three-dot menu icon to the right of your username. Click it, and you will see a dropdown menu with options including Edit, Delete, and Lock. Click Edit.

The text box will open with your original post in it. Make the changes you want, then click Save. Your post will update when ready. If anyone has commented on your post, an "edited" label will appear next to the timestamp, showing when you made the change.

How to edit a comment on desktop Reddit

Find the comment you wrote and hover over it. A row of icons will appear below the comment text. Click the three dots (more options) icon on the right side of that row. Select Edit from the menu.

The comment text will become editable in a text box. Make your changes and click Save. The comment will update, and if it has replies, an "edited" marker will appear next to the timestamp.

How to edit on mobile Reddit

Open the post or comment you want to change. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the post or comment. A menu will slide up from the bottom of the screen with options including Edit and Delete. Tap Edit.

The text will become editable in a box. Make your changes and tap Save. The change takes effect when ready. On mobile, the "edited" marker appears in the same place as on desktop if your post has replies.

Why you cannot edit post titles

Reddit does not allow you to change the title of a post after you submit it, even if you own the account. This is a permanent limitation across all subreddits. If your title has a typo or you want to change what it says, your only option is to delete the post and create a new one with the correct title.

This restriction exists because post titles are how Reddit's search and sorting systems organize content. Changing titles after people have clicked, upvoted, or commented would break the connection between the title and the discussion that follows.

What the "edited" marker means and when it appears

When you edit a post or comment, Reddit adds a small "edited" label next to the timestamp. This label appears only if at least one person has replied to your post or comment. If you edit something and no one has replied yet, the "edited" marker will not show.

Clicking the "edited" label shows other users when you made the change, but it does not show them what the original text was. Reddit does not display a version history or a list of all the edits you made — only that an edit happened and when.

The difference between editing and deleting

Editing changes the text while keeping the post in place with its original timestamp and any replies it has received. Deleting removes the post entirely from Reddit's servers. Once you delete a post, you cannot recover it, and anyone who saw it before the deletion will see a message saying "[deleted]" or "[removed]" in its place.

If you want to remove something you posted but keep the discussion thread intact, edit the post to say something like "Edit: I have removed this content" rather than deleting it. This preserves the replies and context for other readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a post I deleted?

No. Once you delete a post, it is gone and cannot be edited. If you deleted something by mistake, you will need to rewrite and repost it. Reddit does not recover deleted posts.

Will people see what I originally wrote if I edit my post?

No. Reddit does not show the original text or a change history. Other users see only the current version of your post and the "edited" marker showing that you changed it. They cannot see what you changed it from.

Can I edit a post after it has been locked or archived?

No. Once a post is locked by a moderator or archived by Reddit (usually after six months of inactivity), you cannot edit it. You can still see it, but the Edit button will not appear.

What happens if I edit a post with a lot of upvotes?

The upvotes stay with the post. Editing does not reset the vote count or change how the post ranks in the subreddit. The "edited" marker will appear next to the timestamp if anyone has replied to it.

Can moderators see what I originally wrote before I edited it?

Moderators can see edit history through their moderation tools, but regular users cannot. This is part of Reddit's moderation system to catch rule violations or spam.