Where to find the username setting in Words With Friends

Open Words With Friends and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. On the profile page, look for your current username displayed near the top. Tap the edit button (usually a pencil icon) next to your name to open the editing screen.

If you are using the web version at wordswithfriends.com, log in to your account, click your profile picture in the top right, and select "Settings" or "Profile Settings" from the menu. Your username field will be editable from there.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Words With Friends username through the profile settings in either the mobile app or the web version.
  • New usernames must follow the game's rules: typically 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters.
  • Your friends will see your new username when ready, but the change takes effect right away in the app.
  • If your desired username is already taken, you will need to choose a different one — the system will tell you during the change process.
  • You can usually change your username as many times as you want, though some games limit how often you can do it.

What usernames Words With Friends will and will not accept

Words With Friends restricts usernames to letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, underscores, periods, or any other special characters. The username must be between 3 and 16 characters long — too short and the system rejects it, too long and it will not fit in the display.

The system checks whether your chosen name is already in use by another player. If it is taken, you will see an error message telling you the username is unavailable. You will need to pick something else and try again. The game does not hold a username while you are deciding — as soon as another player takes it, it is gone.

How to actually enter and save your new username

Once you have the edit screen open, tap or click in the username field and clear out the old name completely. Type your new username using only letters and numbers. As you type, the system may show you whether the name is available or already taken.

After you have entered the new username, look for a "Save," "Confirm," or "Done" button on the screen. Tap or click it to save the change. The app will process the change and return you to your profile page, where you should see your new username displayed. The change takes effect when ready in the game and in your friends' friend lists.

What happens to your game history and friends list when you change your name

Changing your username does not affect your game history, your score, your wins, or any of the games you are currently playing. All your existing matches continue as normal, and your friends will still see you in their friend lists — they will just see your new name instead of the old one.

Your friends do not have to do anything on their end. The change is automatic across the entire game. If you are in the middle of a game with someone, they will see your new name the next time they open the app or refresh their game screen.

If the username you want is already taken

When you try to save a username that another player is already using, the system will show an error and ask you to choose a different one. There is no way to reserve a username or get on a waiting list — you have to pick something else right then.

Try adding numbers to the end of your preferred name, or use a variation of it. For example, if "GardenGamer" is taken, you might try "GardenGamer42" or "GardenGamer2024." The system will tell you when ready whether each attempt is available, so you can keep trying until you find one that works.

How often you can change your username

Words With Friends generally allows you to change your username as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes. However, the game's rules can vary depending on your region or the version you are using, so check the in-app settings or help section if you are unsure.

If you change your username very frequently, the game may eventually ask you to wait a certain number of days before changing it again. This is rare, but it can happen if the system detects unusual account activity. If you run into a restriction, the error message will tell you how long you have to wait.

Troubleshooting: what to do if the change will not save

If you tap "Save" or "Done" and nothing happens, first check that your username follows the rules: letters and numbers only, 3 to 16 characters, no spaces or special characters. If it does, try closing the app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to process the change.

If the problem continues, make sure you are connected to the internet and that your account is logged in properly. Log out of Words With Friends, close the app, and log back in. Then try changing your username again. If it still will not work, contact Words With Friends support through the app's help menu and describe exactly what happens when you try to save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, you can change your username to anything that is not already taken, including a previous username you used before. However, if someone else has taken your old username in the meantime, you will not be able to use it until they change theirs or stop playing.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends will see your new username in their friend list and in any active games. You will still appear in their game history under your new name. The only way a friend would lose you is if they delete you from their friend list, which the name change does not trigger.

What if I see a username I want but it looks inactive?

If a player has not logged in for a very long time, their username is still reserved under their account. Words With Friends does not recycle usernames from inactive accounts, so you cannot claim it. You will need to choose a different name.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Words With Friends only accepts letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). You cannot use spaces, hyphens, underscores, periods, or any other symbols. If you try to enter a special character, the system will reject it or remove it automatically.

Does changing my username cost money?

No. Changing your username in Words With Friends is free and has no cost. You can change it as many times as you want without paying anything.