Your username is set when you first create your account

Spotify asks you to choose a username the moment you sign up, before you can start listening. You cannot skip this step or change it later — the name you pick during registration is permanent. This means you should choose something you are comfortable with for the long term, since you cannot edit it after your account is created.

The username is different from your display name. Your display name is what friends see and can be changed anytime in your settings. Your username is the handle Spotify uses internally and what appears in your profile URL — the web address people use to find your public profile.

Key Takeaways

  • You create your username during sign-up on Spotify's website or app, and it cannot be changed after your account is made.
  • Usernames must be between 3 and 30 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
  • Spotify will tell you when ready if a username is taken or breaks the rules, so you can try another one before finishing sign-up.
  • Your display name (what friends see) is separate from your username and can be changed in settings at any time.

What characters and length are allowed

Spotify usernames must be between 3 and 30 characters long. You can use letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or special characters like @, #, or $.

Your username cannot start with a number — it must begin with a letter or underscore. For example, music_lover_42 works, but 42_music_lover does not. Spotify checks these rules as you type and tells you right away if your choice breaks them.

How to create your username on the website

Go to spotify.com and click "Sign up" in the top right corner. Enter your email address, create a password, and fill in your first and last name. When you reach the username field, type your choice and wait a moment — Spotify checks whether it is already taken.

If the name is available, you will see a green checkmark. If it is taken or violates the character rules, Spotify shows a red X and tells you why. Try a different username until you find one that works. Once you see the green checkmark, continue through the rest of sign-up (birthday, gender, and terms agreement) and click "Sign up" to finish.

How to create your username in the mobile app

Open the Spotify app on your phone or tablet and tap "Sign up with email" at the bottom of the login screen. Enter your email, create a password, and add your first and last name. When the username field appears, type your choice.

The app checks availability the same way the website does — you will see a checkmark or an error message. If your first choice is taken, try another. Once you have a username that works, finish entering your birthday and gender, agree to the terms, and tap "Sign up" to complete your account.

What to do if your first choice is taken

If someone already has the username you want, Spotify will not let you use it. You have two options: add numbers to the end (like alex_music_99 instead of alex_music), or try a completely different name. Many people add their birth year or a meaningful number to make their first choice unique.

You can also use underscores to separate words — alex_music_lover instead of alexmusiclovers — which sometimes makes a name available when the version without underscores is taken. Keep trying different combinations until Spotify shows you the green checkmark.

Why you cannot change your username later

Spotify locks your username after sign-up because it becomes part of your profile URL and your account identity. If usernames could be changed, people could impersonate others or confuse the history of a profile. This is why Spotify asks you to choose carefully during registration.

If you truly dislike your username after creating your account, your only option is to make a new Spotify account with a different email address and start over. Your old account, playlists, and listening history stay with the original username. This is why taking a moment to pick a username you can live with is worth the small extra time during sign-up.

How your username appears to other people

Your username shows up in your profile URL — for example, spotify.com/user/alex_music_99. When you share your profile link with friends, they see this URL. Your username also appears on your profile page itself, below your display name.

Friends can search for you by your username or display name, but your display name is what shows up in their friends list and on playlists you create. You can change your display name anytime in your account settings, so if you want to change how your name looks to friends, you can do that without touching your username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Spotify only allows letters, numbers, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, periods, and symbols like @ or # will not work. If you want to separate words, use an underscore instead.

What if I forget my username after I sign up?

You can find your username by logging into Spotify and going to your profile. Click your profile picture in the top right, select "Profile", and your username appears below your display name. You can also see it in the URL of your profile page.

Can I have the same username as someone else?

No. Each Spotify username is unique. If the name you want is taken, Spotify will not let you use it. You will need to choose a different one or add numbers or underscores to make it unique.

Is my username the same as my display name?

No. Your username is permanent and set during sign-up. Your display name is what friends see and can be changed anytime in your settings. You can have a professional username but a casual display name, or vice versa.

What happens to my username if I delete my account?

Once you delete your Spotify account, that username becomes available for someone else to use. If you ever want that username back, you would need to create a new account before someone else claims it.