You can change your Instagram username through your profile settings, and it takes about two minutes
Your Instagram username is the handle that appears after the @ symbol — the one people use to find and tag you. You can change it whenever you want, as many times as you want, with no cost and no waiting period. The change takes effect when ready across the platform.
The process is the same whether you use Instagram on your phone or a computer. You go to your profile, open settings, find the username field, type a new one, and save. Instagram will tell you right away if the name you want is already taken by someone else.
Key Takeaways
- Your username is the @handle people use to find you, separate from your display name, which is what appears above your posts.
- You can change your username as often as you want with no restrictions, and the change shows up when ready everywhere on Instagram.
- Instagram will reject a username if someone else already has it, if it contains certain characters, or if it is too long.
- Changing your username does not affect your followers, messages, or any content you have posted.
How to change your username on a phone
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your profile page. At the top, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the upper right corner, then tap Settings and privacy.
Scroll down and tap Account information. You will see a field labeled Username. Tap it, delete your current username, and type the new one you want. As you type, Instagram checks whether that name is available. If it is taken, you will see a message saying so. If it is available, you will see a checkmark.
Once you have typed a username that is available, tap Done or Save (the button name varies by phone type). Your new username is now live. Anyone who tries to visit your old username will not find you — only the new one works.
How to change your username on a computer
Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the bottom left corner of the screen, then click Settings. On the left side, click Edit profile.
Find the Username field near the top of the page. Click in it, delete your current username, and type the new one. Instagram will show you when ready whether it is available. Once you have chosen an available name, click Submit or the checkmark button. The change takes effect right away.
What usernames Instagram will not let you use
Instagram rejects usernames that are already taken by another account. It also rejects usernames that are too long — the limit is 30 characters, including any periods or underscores. Usernames cannot contain spaces or most special characters, though periods and underscores are allowed.
If you try a username and Instagram says it is not available, try adding a period or underscore, or a number. For example, if sarah_photography is taken, you might try sarah.photography or sarah_photography1. Instagram will show you suggestions if you ask, though you are not required to use them.
The difference between your username and your display name
Your username is the @handle — the unique identifier people search for and tag you with. Your display name is the text that appears above your posts and at the top of your profile. You can change your display name as often as you want without restriction, and multiple people can have the same display name. Only one person can have each username.
If you want to change your display name instead of your username, go to Edit profile (the same place you change your username) and look for the field at the very top labeled Name. That is your display name. You can type anything there — spaces, capital letters, and special characters are all allowed.
What happens to your followers and messages when you change your username
Your followers stay your followers. Your direct messages stay in your inbox. Your posts, likes, and comments all remain exactly as they were. The only thing that changes is the @handle people use to find you. Anyone who had your old username saved in their phone contacts or bookmarks will need to update it to find you going forward, but Instagram does not automatically redirect the old username to your new one.
If you are worried about people losing track of you, you can mention the change in your bio or in a post before you make it. Some people put their new username in their display name for a few days while people adjust.
What to do if you cannot change your username
If Instagram will not let you change your username and shows an error message, try closing the app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh. If you are on a computer, try a different browser or clear your browser cache.
If you see a message saying you have changed your username too recently, wait a few days and try again. Instagram sometimes limits how often you can change it if you have switched multiple times in a short period. If the problem continues, you can report it to Instagram through the Help section in settings, though response times vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my old username back if I change it?
Not automatically. Once you change your username, someone else can claim the old one. If you think you might want it back, wait a few days before giving it away. If you change your mind when ready, you can change back to it right away — but if someone else takes it first, you cannot reclaim it.
Will changing my username affect my Instagram business account or creator account?
No. Business and creator accounts work the same way as regular accounts for usernames. The change takes effect when ready and does not affect your insights, branded content tools, or any other account features.
What if the username I want has a period or underscore in it?
You can use both. Type them exactly as you want them to appear. For example, sarah.chen and sarah_chen are two different usernames, and both are allowed. Instagram treats periods and underscores as part of the username itself.
Can I change my username on Instagram if I use Facebook to log in?
Yes. The process is the same whether you log in with a password or through Facebook. Go to your Instagram settings and find the username field — it does not matter how you signed up.